The Best Athletes Who Wore #43

Ranker Sports

Updated January 1, 2024 49.3K views 50 items

Ranked By

2.4K votes

656 voters

Voting Rules

Only athletes who wore 43 for at least one professional season.

The best players to wear 43 as their jersey numbers are sprinkled across all major sports. It has been a popular jersey number for decades with success of athletes across the board. Iconic MLB players with number 43 jerseys include Dennis Eckersley, R.A. Dickey, and Raul Mondesi, all Hall of Fame-level players whose career highlights are among the greatest moments in baseball history.

Basketball stars have had success with the number as well with Jack Sikma, Mychal Thompson, and Kris Humphries thriving with the number 43 in the NBA. Football and hockey aren’t too far behind with quite a few superstars rocking the number in NFL and NHL history. It's all proof that anyone who wears #43 has a major legacy to live up to.

So check out the list of famous athletes who wore 43 and help decide who deserves to rank the highest for wearing this iconic jersey number. Vote up your favorite athletes to wear the number 43.

Most divisive: Grant Long

Over 600 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Best Athletes Who Wore #43

- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
1
329 VOTES
Troy Polamalu
League: NFL

Years active: 2003-2014

Stats: 770 tackles, 12 sacks, 14 forced fumbles, 32 interceptions

Career Highlights
8x Pro Bowl
4x First-team All-Pro
- Birthplace: Garden Grove, USA, California
- Position: Strong Safety
329 votes
More Troy Polamalu
- #48 of 658 onThe Best Football Players Ever
- #1227 of 1,269 onThe 1000+ Best Athletes Of All Time, Ranked
- #42 of 79 onThe Best NFL Player Nicknames Of All Time
- Photo:
  user uploaded image
2
137 VOTES
Dennis Eckersley
League: MLB

Years active: 1975-1998

Stats: 197 wins, 3.50 ERA, 2,401 strikeouts, 390 saves

Career Highlights
Baseball Hall of Fame inductee (2004)
6x All-Star, AL MVP (1992)
AL Cy Young Award (1992)
- Birthplace: Oakland, California
- Position: Pitcher
137 votes
More Dennis Eckersley
- Dig Deeper...College & Professional Athletes Who Were Raised Mormon
- #93 of 388 onThe Greatest Baseball Players Of All Time
- #115 of 230 onThe Best Players in the Baseball Hall of Fame
- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
3
117 VOTES
Steve Foley
League: NFL

Years active: 1976-1986

Stats: 44 interceptions

Career Highlights
1x All-Pro
- Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana
- Position: Cornerback, Safety
117 votes
More Steve Foley
- #63 of 100 onThe Best Denver Broncos of All Time
- #17 of 49 onThe Best Cincinnati Bengals Linebackers of All Time
- #8 of 46 onThe Best Denver Broncos Cornerbacks Of All Time
- Photo:
  user uploaded image
4
71 VOTES
Brad Daugherty
League: NBA

Years active: 1986-1994

Stats: 10,389 points, 5,227 rebounds, 2,028 assists

Career Highlights: 5x NBA All-Star
- Birthplace: Black Mountain, North Carolina, USA
- Position: Center
71 votes
More Brad Daugherty
- #11 of 86 onThe Best UNC Tar Heels Basketball Players of All Time
- #45 of 104 onThe Greatest NBA Centers of All Time
- #88 of 113 onThe Best NBA Players With No Championship Rings
- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
5
112 VOTES
Darren Sproles
League: NFL

Years active: 2005-2019

Stats: 3,552 rushing yards, 4,840 receiving yards, 64 total touchdowns

Career Highlights
3x Pro Bowl
2x All-Pro
- Birthplace: Waterloo, Iowa
- Position: Running back, Return specialist
112 votes
More Darren Sproles
- #67 of 197 onThe Best NFL Running Backs of All Time
- #502 of 658 onThe Best Football Players Ever
- #100 of 150 onPeople Who Should Be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame
- Photo:
  user uploaded image
6
73 VOTES
Larry Brown
League: NFL

Years active: 1969-1976

Stats: 5,875 rushing yards, 3.8 yards per carry, 35 rushing touchdowns

Career Highlights
4x Pro Bowl
2x First-team All-Pro
NFL MVP (1972)
- Birthplace: Clairton, Pennsylvania
- Position: Running back
73 votes
More Larry Brown
- #122 of 197 onThe Best NFL Running Backs of All Time
- #19 of 101 onThe Greatest Washington Commanders of All Time
- #15 of 27 onThe Best NFL Running Backs of the 70s
- Photo:
  @pskills43
  Instagram
7
93 VOTES
Pascal Siakam
League: NBA

Years active: 2016-present

Stats: 11.8 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 2.2 apg

Career Highlights
NBA Most Improved Player (2019)
- Birthplace: Douala, Cameroon
- Position: Power forward
93 votes
More Pascal Siakam
- #2 of 37 onThe Best Basketball Players From Cameroon
- #227 of 288 onThe 280+ Top NBA Players Of All Time, Ranked
- #74 of 77 onThe 80+ Most Overrated Players in the NBA
- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
8
66 VOTES
Jack Sikma
League: NBA

Years active: 1977-1991

Stats: 17,287 points, 10,816 rebounds, 1,048 blocks

Career Highlights
Basketball Hall of Fame inductee (2019)
7x NBA All-Star
- Birthplace: Kankakee, Illinois
- Position: Power forward, Center
66 votes
More Jack Sikma
- #106 of 288 onThe 280+ Top NBA Players Of All Time, Ranked
- #34 of 211 onThe Best White Players in NBA History
- #38 of 104 onThe Greatest NBA Centers of All Time
- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
9
85 VOTES
Curt Schilling
League: MLB

Years active: 1988-2007

Stats: 216 wins, 3.46 ERA, 3,116 strikeouts

Career Highlights
6x All-Star
World Series MVP (2001)
- Birthplace: USA, Anchorage, Alaska
- Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
85 votes
More Curt Schilling
- #127 of 388 onThe Greatest Baseball Players Of All Time
- #20 of 108 onThe Best Boston Red Sox Of All Time
- #4 of 203 onThe Best Baseball Players NOT in the Hall of Fame
- Photo:
  user uploaded image
10
58 VOTES
Cliff Harris
League: NFL

Years active: 1970-1979

Stats: 29 interceptions, 1 touchdown

Career Highlights
Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee (2020)
6x Pro Bowl
4x first-team All-Pro
- Birthplace: Fayetteville, Arkansas
- Position: Safety, Defensive back
58 votes

- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
11
51 VOTES
T. J. Ward
League: NFL

Years active: 2010-2017

Stats: 607 tackles, 8.5 sacks, 10 forced fumbles, 8 interceptions

Career Highlights
2x Pro Bowl
- Birthplace: California
- Position: Defensive back
51 votes
More T. J. Ward
- #506 of 661 onThe Best Football Players Ever
- #14 of 59 onThe Best Oregon Ducks of All Time
- #62 of 82 onThe Best Cleveland Browns of All Time
- Photo:
  user uploaded image
12
48 VOTES
Rick Sutcliffe
League: MLB

Years active: 1976-1994

Stats: 171 wins, 4.08 ERA, 1,679 strikeouts

Career Highlights
3x All-Star
1x NL Cy Young Award (1984)
NL Rookie of the Year (1979)
- Birthplace: Independence, Missouri
- Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
48 votes
More Rick Sutcliffe
- #65 of 109 onThe Greatest Baltimore Orioles of All Time
- #56 of 75 onThe Best Baseball Announcers of All Time
- #58 of 84 onThe Best Cy Young Award Winners
- Photo:
  Metaweb
  GNU Free Documentation License
13
51 VOTES
R. A. Dickey
League: MLB

Years active: 2001-2017

Stats: 120 wins, 4.04 ERA, 1,477 strikeouts

Career Highlights
1x All-Star
1x NL Cy Young Award
- Birthplace: Nashville, Tennessee
- Position: Relief pitcher, Starting pitcher, Pitcher
51 votes
More R. A. Dickey
- #368 of 389 onThe Greatest Baseball Players Of All Time
- #183 of 192 onThe Greatest Pitchers of All Time
- #48 of 142 onThe Greatest New York Mets of All Time
- Photo:
  user uploaded image
14
41 VOTES
George Atkinson
League: NFL

Years active: 1968-1979

Stats: 30 interceptions, 2 touchdowns

Career Highlights
1x Super Bowl champion (XI)
- Birthplace: Savannah, Georgia
- Position: Cornerback, Safety, Defensive back
41 votes
- Photo:
  user uploaded image
15
38 VOTES
Mychal Thompson
League: NBA

Years active: 1978-1991

Stats: 12,810 points, 6,951 rebounds, 1,073 blocks

Career Highlights
2x NBA champion
NBA All-Rookie First Team (1979)
- Birthplace: Nassau, Bahamas
- Position: Power forward, Center
38 votes
More Mychal Thompson
- #29 of 135 onThe Greatest Lakers Of All Time
- #42 of 58 onThe Best No. 1 Overall NBA Draft Picks of All Time
- #17 of 20 onKareem Abdul Jabbar's Best Teammates Throughout His NBA Career
- Photo:
  user uploaded image
16
40 VOTES
Don Perkins
League: NFL

Years active: 1961-1968

Stats: 6,217 rushing yards, 4.1 yards per carry, 42 touchdowns

Career Highlights
6x Pro Bowl
3x All-Pro
- Birthplace: Waterloo, Iowa
- Position: Running back, Halfback
40 votes
- Photo:
  user uploaded image
17
30 VOTES
Raúl Mondesí
League: MLB

Years active: 1993-2005

Stats: .273 batting average, 271 home runs, 860 RBI

Career Highlights
1x All-Star
NL Rookie of the Year (1994)
- Birthplace: San Cristóbal, Dominican Republic
- Position: Right fielder, Outfielder
30 votes
- Photo:
  user uploaded image
18
29 VOTES
Jim Norton
League: NFL

Years active: 1960-1968

Stats: 45 interceptions
- Birthplace: Wilmington, North Carolina
- Position: Lineman, Defensive lineman
29 votes
- Photo:
  user uploaded image
19
38 VOTES
Grant Long
League: NBA

Years active: 1988-2003

Stats: 9,518 points, 6,154 rebounds, 1,716 assists
- Birthplace: Wayne, Michigan
- Position: Small forward, Power forward
38 votes
- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
20
16 VOTES
Randy Wolf
League: MLB

Years active: 1999-2015

Stats: 133 wins, 4.24 ERA, 1,814 strikeouts

Career Highlights
1x All-Star
- Birthplace: Canoga Park, Los Angeles, California
- Position: Pitcher
16 votes

- Photo:
  user uploaded image
21
14 VOTES
Bill Nicholson
League: NFL

Years active: 1936-1953

Stats: .268 batting average, 235 home runs, 948 RBI

Career Highlights
5x All-Star
2x NL home run leader
- Birthplace: Chestertown, Maryland
- Position: Right fielder, Outfielder
14 votes
- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
22
45 VOTES
Kendrick Perkins
League: NBA

Years active: 2003-2018

Stats: 4,214 points, 4,535 rebounds, 813 assists

Career Highlights
1x NBA champion
- Birthplace: Nederland, Texas
- Position: Center
45 votes
- Photo:
  uploaded by Bojangles
23
29 VOTES
Carl "Spider" Lockhart
League: NFL

Years active: 1965-1975

Stats: 41 interceptions, 3 touchdowns

Career Highlights
2x Pro Bowl
- Birthplace: Dallas, Texas
- Position: Defensive back
29 votes
More Carl "Spider" Lockhart
- #20 of 117 onThe Best New York Giants of All Time
- #68 of 69 onThe Best NFL Players From Texas
- #10 of 40 onThe 40 Best NFL NY Giants Cornerbacks
- Photo:
  user uploaded image
24
23 VOTES
Jeff Nelson
League: MLB

Years active: 1992-2006

Stats: 48 wins, 3.41 ERA, 829 strikeouts

Career Highlights
1x All-Star
4x World Series champion
- Birthplace: Baltimore, Maryland, USA
- Position: Relief pitcher, Pitcher
23 votes
More Jeff Nelson
- #107 of 143 onThe Greatest New York Yankees Of All Time
- #32 of 106 onThe Best Seattle Mariners of All Time
- #72 of 79 onWho Is The Most Famous Nelson In The World?
- Photo:
  user uploaded image
25
10 VOTES
A. J. Burnett
League: MLB

Years active: 1999-2015

Stats: 164 wins, 3.99 ERA, 2,513 strikeouts

Career Highlights
1x All-Star
- Birthplace: North Little Rock, Arkansas
- Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
10 votes
- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
  CC-BY
26
13 VOTES
Frank Lewis
League: NFL

Years active: 1971-1983

Stats: 397 receptions, 6,724 receiving yards, 40 receiving touchdowns

Career Highlights
1x Pro Bowl
- Birthplace: Houma, Louisiana
- Position: Wide receiver
13 votes
- Photo:
  Metaweb
  GNU Free Documentation License
27
14 VOTES
Dave Hampton
League: NFL

Years active: 1969-1976

Stats: 4,536 rushing yards, 4.0 yards per carry, 25 touchdowns

Career Highlights
NFL Comeback Player of the Year (1975)
- Birthplace: Akron, Ohio
- Position: Running back
14 votes
More Dave Hampton
- #63 of 109 onThe Best Atlanta Falcons of All Time
- #48 of 61 onThe Best Green Bay Packers Running Backs of All Time
- #18 of 43 onThe Best Atlanta Falcons Running Backs of All Time
- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
28
14 VOTES
Darren Helm
League: NHL

Years active: 2007-present

Stats: 106 goals, 133 assists, 239 points
- Birthplace: Rural Municipality of St. Andrews, Canada
- Position: Centerman
14 votes
- Photo:
  uploaded by taferrone
29
9 VOTES
Jeff Ruland
League: NBA

Years active: 1981-1993

Stats: 5,763 points, 3,378 rebounds, 1,002 assists

Career Highlights
2x NBA All-Star
- Birthplace: Bay Shore, New York
- Position: Power forward, Center
9 votes
More Jeff Ruland
- #45 of 81 onThe Best Washington Wizards of All Time
- #80 of 99 onThe Best NBA Players from New York
- #11 of 29 onThe Best Washington Wizards Centers of All Time
- Photo:
  user uploaded image
30
12 VOTES
Mike Pruitt
League: NFL

Years active: 1976-1986

Stats: 7,378 rushing yards, 56 touchdowns

Career Highlights
2x Pro Bowl
- Birthplace: Chicago, Illinois
- Position: Running back
12 votes
More Mike Pruitt
- #141 of 197 onThe Best NFL Running Backs of All Time
- #21 of 27 onThe Best NFL Running Backs of the 70s
- #33 of 82 onThe Best Cleveland Browns of All Time

- Photo:
  user uploaded image
31
12 VOTES
Doug Hart
League: NFL

Years active: 1964-1971

Stats: 15 interceptions
- Position: Cornerback
12 votes
- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
32
10 VOTES
Johnny Antonelli
League: MLB

Years active: 1948-1961

Stats: 126 wins, 3.34 ERA, 1,162 strikeouts

Career Highlights
6x All-Star
- Birthplace: Rochester, New York
- Position: Pitcher
10 votes
- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
33
17 VOTES
Martin Biron
League: NHL

Years active: 1995-2014

Stats: 230 wins, 12,646 saves, .910 save %
- Birthplace: Lac-Saint-Charles, Quebec City, Quebec City, Canada
- Position: Goaltender
17 votes
- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
34
11 VOTES
Fozzy Whittaker
League: NFL

Years active: 2012-2018

Stats: 615 rushing yards, 4.1 yards per carry, 6 total touchdowns
- Birthplace: Texas
- Position: Running back
11 votes
- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
  CC-BY
35
9 VOTES
Cleveland Gary
League: NFL

Years active: 1989-1993

Stats: 2,645 rushing yards, 3.9 yards per carry, 24 touchdowns
- Birthplace: Stuart, Florida
- Position: Running back
9 votes
- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
36
9 VOTES
Andy Ashby
League: MLB

Years active: 1991-2004

Stats: 98 wins, 4.12 ERA, 1,173

Career Highlights
2x All-Star
- Birthplace: Kansas City, Missouri
- Position: Pitcher
9 votes
- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
37
17 VOTES
Ken Forsch
League: MLB

Years active: 1970-1986

Stats: 114 wins, 3.37 ERA, 1,047 strikeouts

Career Highlights
2x All-Star
- Birthplace: Sacramento, California
- Position: Pitcher
17 votes
- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
38
10 VOTES
Jim Dooley
League: NFL

Years active: 1952-1961

Stats: 211 receptions, 3,172 receiving yards, 16 receiving touchdowns
- Birthplace: Stoutsville, Missouri
- Position: end/halfback
10 votes
- Photo:
  user uploaded image
39
29 VOTES
Chris Carr
League: NBA

Years active: 1995-2001

Stats: 1,988 points, 658 rebounds, 294 assists
- Birthplace: Ironton, Missouri
- Position: Shooting guard
29 votes
- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
40
16 VOTES
Tom Wilson
League: NHL

Years active: 2013-present

Stats: 71 goals, 106 assists, 177 points

Career Highlights
1x Stanley Cup champion
- Birthplace: Toronto, Canada
- Position: Right wing
16 votes
More Tom Wilson
- #150 of 182 onThe Best Current NHL Players
- #2 of 23 onThe Dirtiest Players In The NHL Right Now
- #13 of 57 onThe Best Washington Capitals of All Time

- Photo:
  Metaweb
  GNU Free Documentation License
41
7 VOTES
Clyde Lee
League: NBA

Years active: 1966-1976

Stats: 5,733 points, 7,626 rebounds, 788 assists

Career Highlights
1x NBA All-Star
- Birthplace: Nashville, Tennessee
- Position: Center
7 votes
More Clyde Lee
- #25 of 30 onThe Best Power Forwards of the '60s
- #108 of 129 onThe Best Golden State Warriors of All Time
- #23 of 65 onThe 65 Best NBA Golden State Warriors Power Forwards
- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
42
20 VOTES
Kris Humphries
League: NBA

Years active: 2004-2017

Stats: 5,350 points, 4,314 rebounds, 556 assists
- Birthplace: Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
- Position: Power forward
20 votes
More Kris Humphries
- #142 of 142 onThe Best Boston Celtics of All Time
- #2 of 30 onAthletes Famous Only for Off-Court Behavior
- #52 of 54 onThe Best NCAA College Basketball Centers Of The 2000s
- Photo:
  user uploaded image
43
8 VOTES
Lenny Lyles
League: NFL

Years active: 1958-1960

Stats: 16 interceptions

Career Highlights
1x Pro Bowl
- Birthplace: Nashville, Tennessee
- Position: Cornerback, Defensive back
8 votes
- Photo:
  user uploaded image
44
9 VOTES
Philippe Boucher
League: NHL

Years active: 1992-2009

Stats: 94 goals, 206 assists, 300 points

Career Highlights
1x NHL All-Star
- Birthplace: Saint-Apollinaire, Quebec, Canada
- Position: Defenseman
9 votes
- Photo:
  uploaded by Timeline Capsule
45
10 VOTES
Gary Peters
League: MLB

Years active: 1959-1972

Stats: 124 wins, 3.25 ERA, 1,420 strikeouts

Career Highlights
2x All-Star
AL Rookie of the Year (1963)
- Birthplace: Grove City, Pennsylvania
- Position: Starting pitcher, Pitcher
10 votes
- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
46
11 VOTES
Patrice Brisebois
League: NHL

Years active: 1991-2009

Stats: 98 goals, 322 assists, 420 points
- Birthplace: Montreal, Canada
- Position: Defenseman
11 votes
- Photo:
  user uploaded image
47
4 VOTES
Roynell Young
League: NFL

Years active: 1980-1988

Stats: 23 interceptions

Career Highlights
1x Pro Bowl
- Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana
- Position: Cornerback, Safety
4 votes
- Photo:
  user uploaded image
48
6 VOTES
Norm Thompson
League: NFL

Years active: 1971-1979

Stats: 33 interceptions
- Birthplace: California
- Position: Cornerback
6 votes
- Photo:
  user uploaded image
49
7 VOTES
Tony Greene
League: NFL

Years active: 1971-1979

Stats: 37 interceptions, 2 touchdowns

Career Highlights
1x Pro Bowl
- Birthplace: Gaithersburg, Maryland
- Position: Safety
7 votes
- Photo:
  Wikimedia Commons
50
12 VOTES
Addison Reed
League: MLB

Years active: 2011-2018

Stats: 19 wins, 3.53 ERA, 469 strikeouts, 125 saves
- Birthplace: Montclair, California
- Position: Pitcher
12 votes

Mychal Thompson

Dave Hampton

Doug Hart

Fozzy Whittaker

Jim Dooley

Patrice Brisebois

Norm Thompson

Tony Greene