Defensive Player Of The Year Trivia Quiz

Answer: Cleveland Browns

Myles Garrett, a defensive end for the Cleveland Browns, graduated from Texas A&M and was the first pick in the 2017 NFL draft. During the 2025 season, Myles broke the record for quarterback sacks in a season, registering 23 for the AFC North Division team.

Answer: Deion Sanders

Deion Sanders played college football for Miami Hurricane's rivals, the Florida State Seminoles. Ray Lewis and Ed Reed were both part of Miami's dominant run in the 1990s and early 2000s. Lewis played linebacker and was drafted by Baltimore in 1996 and won DPOY in 2000 and 2003. Reed played safety on Miami's 2001 National Championship and won NFL DPOY in 2004. Warren Sapp played defensive tackle for the Hurricanes and won his DPOY in 1999 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Answer: Reggie White

Reggie White graduated from the University of Tennessee and was an ordained Christian minister. The powerful defensive end was a dominant force on the field and often led the NFL in quarterback sacks. He won DPOY in 1987 with the Eagles and in 1998 while leading the Green Bay Packers to the Super Bowl.

Answer: Michael Strahan

It would have been fun to watch Pat Sajak playing professional football but he's the only one on the list that didn't play in the NFL. Michael Strahan was a defensive end for the New York Giants and set the NFL record for sacks in a season in his 2001 DPOY season. After retirement, he could be seen hosting shows like "Pyramid", "Good Morning America", and "Live! With Kelly and Michael".

Answer: Watt

J.J. and T.J. Watt were both consensus All-Americans for the University of Wisconsin. J.J. was drafted by the Houston Texans and won DPOY three times in his first five seasons (2012, 2014 & 2015), while playing defensive end. Younger brother, T.J. Watt played linebacker after being drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers. T.J. won his defensive honor in 2021.

Answer: Cornerback

An NFL team having a lock-down cornerback can change their opponents whole game plan. Three of the greatest to ever play the position include Lester Hayes who won DPOY in 1980 with the Oakland Raiders. Rod Woodson took home the award in 1993 with the Pittsburgh Steelers, 2024 was former Alabama cornerback, Patrick Surtain Jr., win DPOY while playing for the Denver Broncos.

Answer: Bruce Smith

In the 1970s, they were known as the Steel Curtain. The Pittsburgh Steelers shut down their opponents and were involved in more Super Bowls in the 1970s than any other team. Between 1972 and 1976, Blount, Greene, and Lambert won four of the five DPOY awards. Bruce Smith played for the Buffalo Bills in the 1980s and 1990s.

Answer: Purple People Eaters

Alan Page won the inaugural award for Defensive Player of the Year in 1972, playing for the Minnesota Vikings. The team wears purple uniforms and the defensive line was tagged with the nickname, Purple People Eaters. The reference is to a 1958 novelty song by Sheb Wooley.

Answer: Aaron Donald

Aaron Donald graduated from the University of Pittsburgh and was drafted by the St. Louis Rams. Despite only playing ten NFL seasons, Donald became the most disruptive defensive player of his era and is recognized among the greatest to play the game. He won Defensive Player of the Year three times (2018, 2019 & 2020), tying a record held by Lawrence Taylor (1981, 1982 & 1986).

Answer: Charles Woodson

Charles Woodson was drafted fourth overall by the Oakland Raiders in 1998 after winning the Heisman Trophy while playing for the Wolverines. Charles was selected as an All-Pro each of his first four seasons. In 2009 while playing for the Green Bay Packers, Woodson won Defensive Player of the Year and helped lead the Packers to a Super Bowl victory.