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:

I hope changes come because this might be the biggest PR nightmare in the history of the Pro Football Hall…
Tony p AI is a crapshoot
Can't argue with the career. Can argue with physical skills. I was thinking of Roger Staubach which is hard for…
Tom Brady of course
Who was the best number 12? I get tired of publications putting down 2/8 Bob Griese as a game manager…