As the Seahawks grew into a playoff-caliber team in the 1980s, one of the keys to their success was a disruptive defensive line led by the trio of Jacob Green, Joe Nash and Jeff Bryant, all of whom were added to the team between 1980 and 1982, and all of whom enjoyed long, successful careers with the Seahawks.  

Bryant, a first-round pick out of Clemson in 1982, spent his entire 12-year NFL career with the Seahawks, starting 167 games and appearing in 175, totals that rank fifth and sixth in franchise history, respectively.  

Bryant, who ranks third in Seahawks history with 63 sacks, also finished his career ranked in the top 10 in tackles, forced fumbles and fumble recoveries, blocked field goals and blocked extra points. Bryant, the co-winner of the 1992 Steve Largent Award along with Nash, had his best season as part of the standout 1984 defense, recording 14.5 sacks, two fumble recoveries and an interception for a unit that also featured Defensive Player of the Year Kenny Easley and Pro-Bowl seasons from Easley, Nash and Dave Brown, and that forced 63 turnovers, the most by an NFL team since the merger.  

From the second half of his rookie season to Week 10 of the 1986 season, Bryant started 65 consecutive games, showing the combination of durability and production that made him so valuable. For his career, Bryant started at least 12 games every season after his rookie year.  

“All this guy did was start at all four positions on the defensive line,” said longtime Seahawks beat reporter Clare Farnsworth. “That’s never happened in franchise history. Jeff was the right end, Joe Nash was the nose tackle, Jacob Green was the left end. They called themselves the diehards. Why? Because we always start. It wasn’t rotational stuff like they’re doing now, these guys would be out there from Play 1 to the end of the game, Week 1 to the end of the season. He not only started and played, but he was productive at all four spots. He was one of those quiet guys that you had to be around to know just how much he meant.”