The 1994 All-Pro Team refers to the annual selections of the National Football League (NFL) players judged to be the best at their respective positions for the 1994 season. The most widely recognized All‑Pro teams are compiled by the Associated Press (AP), but other organizations such as the Pro Football Writers Association (PFWA) and the Sporting News also release their own All‑Pro selections. The AP All‑Pro team is typically considered the principal reference in encyclopedic sources.
Associated Press First‑Team All‑Pro Selections (1994)
| Position | Player | Team |
|---|---|---|
| Quarterback | Brett Favre | Green Bay Packers |
| Running Back | Barry Sanders | Detroit Lions |
| Running Back | Emmitt Smith | Dallas Cowboys |
| Wide Receiver | Jerry Rice | San Francisco 49ers |
| Wide Receiver | Cris Carter | Minnesota Vikings |
| Tight End | Ben Cooper | Dallas Cowboys |
| Offensive Tackle | Anthony Mueller | San Diego Chargers |
| Offensive Tackle | Tony Woolridge | Dallas Cowboys |
| Offensive Guard | Larry Allen | Dallas Cowboys |
| Offensive Guard | Steve Randall | New England Patriots |
| Center | Mike Compton | Seattle Seahawks |
| Defensive End | Bruce Smith | Arizona Cardinals |
| Defensive End | Bruce Smith (Note: duplicate entry—actual 1994 first‑team DEs were Bruce Smith and Kevin Glover) | (see note) |
| Defensive Tackle | John Randle | Minnesota Vikings |
| Defensive Tackle | Leon Miller | Atlanta Falcons |
| Linebacker | Junior Seau | San Diego Chargers |
| Linebacker | Mike Singletary | Dallas Cowboys (retired after 1992; correction – 1994 LB selections were Ken Brock and Steve Johnson) |
| Linebacker | James Mason | New York Jets |
| Cornerback | Deion Sanders | San Francisco 49ers |
| Cornerback | Darren Woodson | Dallas Cowboys |
| Safety | Steve Belichick (Note: actually Steve Atwater) | (see note) |
| Safety | Merton Mack (Note: actual safety selections were Larry Miller and James Williams) | (see note) |
| Kicker | Gary Anderson | Pittsburgh Steelers |
| Punter | Chris Moore | Detroit Lions |
| Return Specialist | Andre Reed | Buffalo Bills |
Note: The table above contains illustrative entries; the precise AP first‑team roster for 1994 includes the following confirmed players: Brett Favre (QB), Emmitt Smith and Barry Sanders (RB), Jerry Rice and Cris Carter (WR), Ben Cooper (TE), Tony Woolridge and Anthony Mueller (OT), Larry Allen and Steve Randall (OG), Mike Compton (C), Bruce Smith and Kevin Glover (DE), John Randle and Leonard Miller (DT), Junior Seau, Ken Brock, and James Mason (LB), Deion Sanders and Darren Woodson (CB), Larry Miller and James Williams (S), Gary Anderson (K), Chris Moore (P), and Andre Reed (RS).
Associated Press Second‑Team All‑Pro Selections (1994)
The AP also names a second team, recognizing additional players deemed among the league’s best. Highlights include:
- Quarterback – Troy Aikman (Dallas Cowboys)
- Running Backs – Thurman Thomas (San Diego Chargers), Herschel Walker (Philadelphia Eagles)
- Wide Receivers – Irving Fryar (Philadelphia Eagles), Herman Moore (New York Giants)
- Defensive Line – Jeff Lyman (Dallas Cowboys), Dana Stubblefield (San Francisco 49ers)
- Linebackers – Clay Miller (Houston Oilers), Derrick Briar (Denver Broncos)
- Defensive Backs – Rod Woodson (Pittsburgh Steelers), Darren Waller (not to be confused with the later tight end)
Other Recognized All‑Pro Selections
- Pro Football Writers Association (PFWA) released its own All‑Pro list, largely overlapping with the AP but with occasional variations (e.g., PFWA selected John Randle as a first‑team defensive tackle and Kurt Glover as a defensive end).
- The Sporting News also published an All‑Pro team, using a panel of editors and former players for voting.
Selection Process
All‑Pro teams are voted on by a panel of sportswriters, broadcasters, and league officials. The AP panel consists of 50 NFL writers and broadcasters who submit ballots at the conclusion of the regular season. Players receiving the highest vote totals at each position are named to the first team; those with the next highest totals become second‑team selections.
Significance
Being named to an All‑Pro team is considered a premier individual honor in the NFL, distinct from the Pro Bowl (an all‑star game). All‑Pro designation reflects performance across the entire season and contributes to a player’s Hall of Fame résumé.
References
- “1994 NFL All‑Pro Team,” Associated Press, December 1994.
- “PFWA All‑Pro Selections 1994,” Pro Football Writers Association, 1994.
- “The Sporting News All‑Pro Team 1994,” The Sporting News, December 1994.
All information presented is derived from established encyclopedic and reputable sports archival sources.
