Most Sacks

Which defensive players have sacked opposing quarterbacks most often over the course of their careers? Is it a lineman, defensive back or linebacker? Football Almanac is pleased to present the top one-hundred all-time career leaders in sacks.

Notes: Bold faced names denote football players who appeared in at least one game during the most recently completed NFL season and all player names may be clicked to view comprehensive stats. Sacks became an official statistic in 1982.

Did you know for a sack to be recorded as official the quarterback must be intending to throw a forward pass? If the quarterback is attempting to rush the ball and gets "sacked" behind the scrimmage line the loss is simply subtracted from the quarterback's rushing total and no sack stat is awarded to the defensive playing making the tackle.

The record for most sacks in a season belongs to Michael Strahan (#11 all-time) with twenty-two and a half in 2001, followed by Mark Gastineau (#49 all-time) with twenty-two in 1984 and then Reggie White (#2 all-time) & Chris Doleman (#4 all-time) who are tied with twenty-one each in 1987 and 1989 respectively.

Is it fair that sacks prior to 1982 are not counted? Should we attempt to research & record every sack possible and compile the date to make a more accurate list? Read Sack Story then share your honest opinion with us on Pigskin Fever.