The third-best piece of the Crunch Bunch, Brad Van Pelt was an intimidating presence at outside linebacker for the Giants during the 1970s and the 1980s. Although he didn’t get nearly as much recognition as his teammate Lawrence Taylor, he still knew how to make opponents shiver.
Known for his hard-hitting style of play and excellent nose for finding the football, Van Pelt routinely shined for a New York team that didn’t enjoy much success.
Despite that, he still managed to convince voters to send him to the Pro Bowl for five consecutive years. He only earned one All-Pro designation, although who he played alongside probably factored into that.
Either way, Van Pelt’s presence was welcomed and lauded. He was a star in his own right, providing both a terrific physical force against the run and a surprisingly effective weapon in the pass-rushing department.
Had Van Pelt played for another team, he very well may have earned more accolades during his 11-year NFL career. While that may be the case, the Giants certainly appreciated everything he did for them — even if his glory days came when the franchise was struggling to put notches in the win column.