I love the phrase “tough guy”, it’s most often used sarcastically to diminish the grit of someone who talks a big game but can’t back it up.

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But, “tough guy” can be applied to a select few that actually are feared. The NFL is arguably the most violent professional sports league we have in America, so all of the players who make it to the league have to be “tough guys” but there are a small collection of men who standout on that level.

Some of the NFL’s All-Time Most Feared Tough Guys – Part 2

In Part 1 of this series, I featured John Lynch, Bill Romanowski, James Harrison, Maxx Crosby and Troy Polamalu. For part 2 I felt the need to go back a bit further for some of these players, guys I was not old enough to see play but I grew up reading about. 

Coming soon: Some of the NFL’s All-Time Most Feared Tough Guys – Part 3

Some of the NFL’s All-Time Most Feared Tough Guys – Part 1

I’ve been watching the NFL my whole life and while the game has changed drastically in my 42+ years, but one thing remains the same, you must be a “tough guy” to make it to the league. On that level of athleticism, all the players are strong and physical but some clearly are better than others. The following are some of the players who go beyond, passing the eye test and were flat out scary on a football field. 

Danbury Area Folks Share Their NFL Fandom for Playoffs

I am an Oakland/LA/Las Vegas Raiders fan, and have been since I was a kid and I'm often outnumbered in NFL conversations, but not completely alone. In the NFL, there are fans of all kinds in every city in America.

Before the Raiders losing playoff game against the Bengals last weekend, I reached out to my friends who are Raiders fans and asked them to send me a photo of them wearing a jersey or celebrating the team in some way. I had a great response and it kicked off a fun sports conversation but it was for Raiders fans only.

I wanted to give the same opportunity to all NFL fans in the Greater-Danbury area, whether their team was in the playoffs or not. I sent out the call on my radio show and on social media and these are the responses I got back.

5 Sports Movie Speeches That Can Get Anyone Hyped

Whether it's based on a true story or pure fiction, great sports movie moments can get anyone pumped up. Sports movies tell the stories of figures and teams that were undervalued, overlooked or stood very little chance of becoming a champion. These moments can be a source of inspiration or just valued entertainment.

They can make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up, send a tingle down your spine and make you want to run through a brick wall. These are the sports movie speeches that can get anyone hyped. 

12 Signs You're a True American 'Tough Guy'

Our culture morphs and those shifts mean certain types of behavior have an expiration date. What you once thought was "cool" or "tough" may make you look like a straight up D-bag now. The problem is, when our culture pivots, not everyone gets the memo.

You could find yourself in a room with someone born in the 60's, another in the 80's, a man who was born in the 90's and another in the 2000's, they are all going to have different ideas about what makes them a man. 

What makes you a "tough guy" today? For starters, the term itself is a punch line, if someone calls you a "tough guy", they are picking on you. This list was supposed to be titled "Top Signs You're a Raging Douche" but my editor nixed that, so these are the "Top Signs You're a Real Tough Guy." 

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