1997 All-Pro Team Explained

The 1997 All-Pro Team is composed of the National Football League players that were named to the Associated Press, Pro Football Writers Association, and The Sporting News All-Pro Teams in 1997. Both first and second teams are listed for the AP team. These are the three teams that are included in Total Football II: The Official Encyclopedia of the National Football League. In 1997 the Pro Football Writers Association and Pro Football Weekly combined their All-pro teams, a practice with continues through 2008.

Teams

Offense
PositionFirst teamSecond team
QuarterbackBrett Favre, Green Bay Packers (AP, PFWA, TSN)Steve Young, San Francisco 49ers (AP-2)
Running backTerrell Davis, Denver Broncos (AP, PFWA, TSN)
Barry Sanders, Detroit Lions (AP, PFWA, TSN)
Jerome Bettis, Pittsburgh Steelers (AP-2)
FullbackMike Alstott, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (AP)Charles Way, New York Giants (AP-2)
Wide receiverHerman Moore, Detroit Lions (AP, PFWA, TSN)
Rob Moore, Arizona Cardinals (AP, PFWA)
Tim Brown, Oakland Raiders (TSN)
Yancey Thigpen, Pittsburgh Steelers (AP-2)
Andre Rison, Kansas City Chiefs (AP-2)
Tim Brown, Oakland Raiders (AP-2)
Tight endShannon Sharpe, Denver Broncos (AP, PFWA, TSN)Wesley Walls, Carolina Panthers (AP-2)
TackleTony Boselli, Jacksonville Jaguars (AP, PFWA, TSN)
Jonathan Ogden, Baltimore Ravens (AP, PFWA, TSN)
Willie Roaf, New Orleans Saints (AP-2)
Todd Steussie, Minnesota Vikings (AP-2)
GuardLarry Allen, Dallas Cowboys (AP, PFWA, TSN)
Dave Szott, Kansas City Chiefs (AP, PFWA)
Randall McDaniel, Minnesota Vikings (TSN)
Will Shields, Kansas City Chiefs (AP-2)
Randall McDaniel, Minnesota Vikings (AP-2)
CenterDermontti Dawson, Pittsburgh Steelers (AP, PFWA, TSN)
Special teams
PositionFirst teamSecond team
KickerRichie Cunningham, Dallas Cowboys (AP, TSN)
Pete Stoyanovich, Kansas City Chiefs (PFWA)
Jason Hanson, Detroit Lions (AP-2)
PunterBryan Barker, Jacksonville Jaguars (AP, PFWA)
Matt Turk, Washington Redskins (TSN)
Matt Turk, Washington Redskins (AP-2)
Kick ReturnerMichael Bates, Carolina Panthers (PFWA, TSN)
Eric Metcalf, San Diego Chargers (AP)
Darrien Gordon, Denver Broncos (AP-2)
Punt ReturnerDarrien Gordon, Denver Broncos (PFWA, TSN)
Special TeamsLarry Whigham, New England Patriots (PFWA)
Defense
PositionFirst teamSecond team
Defensive endBruce Smith, Buffalo Bills (AP, PFWA, TSN)
Michael Strahan, New York Giants (AP, PFWA, TSN)
Robert Porcher, Detroit Lions (PFWA)
Chuck Smith, Atlanta Falcons (AP-2t)
Reggie White, Green Bay Packers (AP-2t)
Neil Smith, Denver Broncos (AP-2t)
Defensive tackleJohn Randle, Minnesota Vikings (AP, PFWA, TSN)
Dana Stubblefield, San Francisco 49ers (AP, PFWA, TSN)
Joel Steed, Pittsburgh Steelers (PFWA)
Warren Sapp, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (AP-2)
Ted Washington, Buffalo Bills (AP-2)
Middle linebackerLevon Kirkland, Pittsburgh Steelers (AP, PFWA, TSN)
Hardy Nickerson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (AP)
Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens (AP-2t)
Junior Seau, San Diego Chargers (AP-2t)
Winfred Tubbs, New Orleans Saints (AP-2t)
Outside linebackerJessie Armstead, New York Giants (AP, PFWA, TSN)
John Mobley, Denver Broncos (AP, PFWA, TSN)
Derrick Brooks, Tampa Bay Buccaneers (AP-2)
Chris Slade, New England Patriots (AP-2)
CornerbackDeion Sanders, Dallas Cowboys (AP, PFWA, TSN)
Aeneas Williams, Arizona Cardinals (AP, PFWA, TSN)
Aaron Glenn, New York Jets (PFWA) *
James Hasty, Kansas City Chiefs (AP-2)
Cris Dishman, Washington Redskins (AP-2t)
Doug Evans, Green Bay Packers (AP-2t)
SafetyLeRoy Butler, Green Bay Packers (AP, PFWA, TSN)
Carnell Lake, Pittsburgh Steelers (AP, PFWA, TSN)
Merton Hanks, San Francisco 49ers (AP-2)
Darryl Williams, Seattle Seahawks (AP-2)

Key

References