By the Numbers: Best #25 in NFL History

Photo credit: Wikipedia user Tim Monaghan
When we wrote our first By the Numbers post a year ago, it was intended to become a regular feature until we hit all 100 numbers (0-99…sorry, we’re not differentiating between 0 and 00). One thing I wanted to hold true to, though, was a random selection of the numbers. I don’t even totally know why—I just did.
Unfortunately, unlike our first selection, which had several players all viable choices as the best #81 of all time, research into our second number consistently came back with one player—the best #25 in NFL history appears to clearly have been Fred Biletnikhoff.
With 589 career receptions, 8,974 receiving yards, 76 touchdowns, a Super Bowl MVP (XI), six Pro Bowls (two of them AFL only), two first-team All-Pro selections, and Hall of Fame induction in 1988, he seems a cut clear choice.
Given the anti-climactic nature of the selection, we sat on it…for a year.
Other names that came up on the list:

Oh there will be changes but don’t expect any that really improve process, increase class sizes, or ensure long waiting…
It’s simply not true many older players are immune but the brain is a complex system that works and reacts…
I swear if August comes and goes and there aren’t changes I’m done with the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Paul I hope so we’ll just what happens
not really a big deal-will happen soon, and very likely very soon (2027) as Hall will certainly ensure it happens…