Famous American Football Players

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 1 
Tom Brady
(One of the Greatest American Football Quarterbacks of All-Time With Majority of Quarterback Records to His Credit.)
Tom Brady
107
Birthdate: August 3, 1977
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: San Mateo, California, United States

A record six-time Super Bowl champion, Tom Brady is regarded by many as the greatest quarterback ever. At the age of 41, he became the oldest quarterback to win a Super Bowl in NFL history. Thanks to his good looks, he has also appeared in some television programs and commercial campaigns.

 2 
Peyton Manning
(One of the Greatest Quarterbacks of All Time)
Peyton Manning
33
Birthdate: March 24, 1976
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

American football quarterback Peyton Manning played 14 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and four with the Denver Broncos, winning a Super Bowl with each, thus becoming the only person to achieve the feat. Also known as “The Sheriff,” the talented player has NFL records for passing yards and touchdowns.

 3 
Rob Gronkowski
(American Former Football Tight End)
Rob Gronkowski
48
Birthdate: May 14, 1989
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Amherst, New York, United States

Widely regarded as the greatest tight end of all time, Rob Gronkowski is also considered one of the best American football players of his generation. Also one of the most popular players, thanks to his larger-than-life personality, Rob Gronkowski has set many National Football League (NFL) records as a tight end.

 4 
Aaron Rodgers
(American Football Quarterback and 10-Time Winner of Pro Bowl)
Aaron Rodgers
64
Birthdate: December 2, 1983
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Chico, California, United States

Aaron Rodgers, who has the best touchdown-to-interception ratio in the history of the National Football League (NFL), is regarded by many as one of the greatest football quarterbacks ever. Also known for his humanitarian and charitable efforts, Aaron Rodgers is an ardent supporter of the MACC Fund, which is a fund-raising organization.

 5 
Drew Brees
(American Former Football Quarterback)
Drew Brees
33
Birthdate: January 15, 1979
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Dallas, Texas, United States

After 5 years with the San Diego Chargers, NFL quarterback Drew Brees joined the New Orleans Saints. In 2010, he was the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year and the co-chair of the President's Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition. Drew is considered one of the best passers in NFL.

 6 
Deion Sanders
(Former American Football Player, Coach and Only Athlete to Play in Both 'Super Bowl' and 'World Series')
Deion Sanders
25
Birthdate: August 9, 1967
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Fort Myers, Florida, United States

American football player Deion Sanders is considered one of the strongest pass defenders of the game. He was an electrifying athlete and played in the National Football League for 14 seasons. He played for teams like Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins and Baltimore Ravens. He is now a coach and a sports analyst. He’s also a rapper.

 

 7 
Brett Favre
(Former American Football Player Who Played as a Quarterback)
Brett Favre
26
Birthdate: October 10, 1969
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Gulfport, Mississippi, United States

Brett Favre is a former American football player who spent the majority of his National Football League career with the Green Bay Packers. Apart from being a retired player with several achievements and records under his belt, Favre is also a philanthropist; in 1996, he set up the Brett Favre Fourward Foundation, which has donated over $2 million to charities.

 8 
JJ Watt
(One of the Greatest Defensive Linemen of All Time)
JJ Watt
13
Birthdate: March 22, 1989
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Pewaukee, Wisconsin, United States

JJ Watt is an American football player who currently plays defensive end for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He also plays defensive tackle in some situations. Sports Illustrated named him its Sportsperson of the Year in 2017. He is regarded as one of the greatest defensive ends in NFL history. Besides sports, he co-hosts the Fox game show, Ultimate Tag.

 9 
Michael Strahan
(Former Professional American Football Player and Television Personality)
Michael Strahan
22
Birthdate: November 21, 1971
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Houston, Texas, United States

Michael Strahan is a journalist, television personality, and former professional American football player. Strahan helped the New York Giants, where he spent his entire 15-year National Football League (NFL) career, win the Super Bowl XLII. After retiring from football, Michael Strahan co-hosted the talk show Live with Kelly and Ryan, for which he received a couple of Daytime Emmy Awards.

 10 
Terry Bradshaw
(American Former Professional Football Player Who Played as a Quarterback)
Terry Bradshaw
23
Birthdate: September 2, 1948
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Shreveport, Louisiana, United States
Drafted by Pittsburgh Steelers in 1970, Terry Bradshaw went on to become a dominant NFL quarterback and led the Steelers to four Super Bowl championships. His career halted after an injury, but Bradshaw soon established himself as a prominent television football analyst for Fox NFL Sunday. Later, he ventured into acting, writing and music.
 11 
Randy Moss
(One of the Greatest and Most Talented Football Wide Receivers of All Time)
Randy Moss
22
Birthdate: February 13, 1977
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Rand, West Virginia, United States
NFL wide receiver Randy Moss set a record for the highest number of receiving touchdowns in a season. The Minnesota Vikings player became the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1998 and retired after playing with the San Francisco 49ers. He gave rise to the term “getting mossed.”
 12 
Joe Montana
(One of the Greatest Quarterbacks in the History of the National Football League)
Joe Montana
17
Birthdate: June 11, 1956
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: New Eagle, Pennsylvania, United States
Former NFL quarterback Joe Montana, nicknamed Joe Cool, mostly played for the San Francisco 49ers, winning four Super Bowls with them. ESPN’s 25th Greatest Athlete of the 20th Century, Montana was the first player to be Super Bowl MVP thrice and was part of the Pro Bowl eight times.
 13 
Jim Brown
(Football Player)
Jim Brown
21
Birthdate: February 17, 1936
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: St. Simons, Georgia, United States
Died: May 18, 2023
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 14 
Jerry Rice
(American Former Professional Football Wide Receiver)
Jerry Rice
11
Birthdate: October 13, 1962
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Starkville, Mississippi, United States

Jerry Rice is a former American footballer. He played primarily for the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. Thanks to his several records and accomplishments, Rice is considered one of the greatest players and the greatest wide receiver in the history of NFL. In 1999, The Sporting News ranked him second on its Football's 100 Greatest Players list.

 15 
Adrian Peterson
(One of the Greatest Running Backs in American Football History)
Adrian Peterson
26
Birthdate: March 21, 1985
Sun Sign: Aries
Birthplace: Palestine, Texas, United States

Adrian Peterson is an American football player. Widely regarded as one of the greatest running backs in the history of the National Football League (NFL), Peterson became the third-fastest player in NFL history to reach 10,000 rushing yards in 2013. He is currently playing for the Detroit Lions.

 16 
Troy Aikman
(American Former Football Quarterback)
Troy Aikman
23
Birthdate: November 21, 1966
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: West Covina, California, United States
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
 17 
Patrick Mahomes II
(The Third African-American Quarterback to Win A Super Bowl)
Patrick Mahomes II
24
Birthdate: September 17, 1995
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Tyler, Texas, United States
NFL quarterback Patrick Mahomes II, son of former MLB player Pat Mahomes, led the Kansas City Chiefs to a Super Bowl win in 2019. He also became the second African-American quarterback to win the Super Bowl MVP award. His $503 million contract extension was the most expensive in sporting history.
 18 
Walter Payton
(One of the Greatest American Football Players of All Time)
Walter Payton
14
Birthdate: July 25, 1954
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Columbia, Mississippi, United States
Died: November 1, 1999
NFL running back Walter Payton, nicknamed "Sweetness,” played for the Chicago Bears for 13 seasons, winning titles such as the Super Bowl. He was named the NFL MVP in 1977 and was a nine-time Pro Bowl. Before dying of bile duct cancer, he became an advocate for organ donations. 
 19 
Ray Lewis
(American Former Professional Football Player Who Played as a Middle Linebacker)
Ray Lewis
16
Birthdate: May 15, 1975
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Bartow, Florida, United States

Ray Lewis is a former American football player who spent his entire 17-year career with the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). Widely regarded as one of the greatest middle linebackers in the history of NFL, Ray Lewis helped his team win two Super Bowl championships. He is also regarded as the greatest player in Baltimore Ravens' history.

 20 
Larry Fitzgerald
(American Former Football Wide Receiver)
Larry Fitzgerald
19
Birthdate: August 31, 1983
Sun Sign: Virgo
Birthplace: Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States
Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald was the second-best in NFL receiving yards in 2019. He has been named to First-team All-Pro and to Second-team All-Pro twice. He is a minority stake-owner of the NBA team Phoenix Suns. He also works for breast cancer awareness and underprivileged children.
 21 
Russell Wilson
(American Football Player Who Plays as a Quarterback)
Russell Wilson
31
Birthdate: November 29, 1988
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Cincinnati, Ohio, United States

American footballer, Russell Wilson, plays for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League and is considered one of the best players ever. In NFL history, he is one of two quarterbacks with a career passer rating over 100. In October 2020, he was inducted in an exclusive group, the Madden 99 club of the popular ‘Madden 21’ video game.

 22 
Odell Beckham Jr.
(American Football Wide Receiver)
Odell Beckham Jr.
22
Birthdate: November 5, 1992
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States

Odell Beckham Jr. is an American football player who plays in the National Football League (NFL). With several NFL records under his belt, Beckham Jr. is widely regarded as one of the most popular and productive players of all time. His one-handed touchdown catch in a Sunday Night Football game is considered the greatest catch ever made in NFL history.

 23 
Joe Burrow
(American football player)
Joe Burrow
18
Birthdate: December 10, 1996
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Ames, Iowa, United States
Height: 6'4" (193 cm)
 24 
Jim Thorpe
(American Athlete and Olympic Gold Medalist)
Jim Thorpe
21
Birthdate: May 28, 1887
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Lincoln County, Oklahoma, United States
Died: March 28, 1953

Jim Thorpe was an American athlete who was counted among the most versatile athletes of the modern era. Jim Thorpe won two gold medals at the 1912 Olympics and became the first Native American to give the United States an Olympic gold. He also played American football, professional baseball, and basketball. He was memorialized in the 1951 film Jim Thorpe – All-American.

 25 
Terrell Owens
(One of the Greatest Football Wide Receivers of All Time)
Terrell Owens
19
Birthdate: December 7, 1973
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Alexander City, Alabama, United States

Terrell Owens is a former American football player who played for popular teams like San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL) in a career spanning 16 years. Considered one of the greatest American footballers of his generation, Terrell Owens was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018.

 26 
Cam Newton
(American Football Quaterback)
Cam Newton
31
Birthdate: May 11, 1989
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Atlanta, Georgia, United States

American football quarterback for New England Patriots, Cam Newton shot to fame when he led Auburn Tigers to the 2010 BCS National Championship, won the Heisman Trophy and was selected by Carolina Panthers in the 2011 NFL draft. In the subsequent nine seasons with the Panthers, he emerged as star player and even bagged NFL’s top player spot in 2016.

 27 
Ben Roethlisberger
(Former American Football Player Who Played as a Quarterback)
Ben Roethlisberger
18
Birthdate: March 2, 1982
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Lima, Ohio, United States

Known to his fans as the “Big Ben,” Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger had captained his high-school basketball, baseball, and football teams. The multitalented 2004 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year stunned everyone when he became the youngest starting quarterback to score a Super Bowl victory in 2006.

 28 
Eli Manning
(Former American Football Quarterback)
Eli Manning
20
Birthdate: January 3, 1981
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

NFL quarterback Eli Manning, brother of Peyton Manning, is one of only five players to have won multiple Super Bowl MVP honors. He initially played for the University of Mississippi and eventually led the New York Giants to two Super Bowl victories. He is known for his match-winning Helmet Catch.

 29 
Aaron Donald
(American football player)
Aaron Donald
18
Birthdate: May 23, 1991
Sun Sign: Gemini
Birthplace: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 30 
Lawrence Taylor
(Former American football Outside linebacker)
Lawrence Taylor
12
Birthdate: February 4, 1959
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Williamsburg, Virginia, United States
Height: 6'3" (190 cm)
 31 
Lamar Jackson
(American Football Quarterback)
Lamar Jackson
18
Birthdate: January 7, 1997
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Pompano Beach, Florida, United States

Lamar Jackson is an American football player who currently plays for the Baltimore Ravens of the NFL. In 2018, he became the youngest football quarterback to start a playoff game and helped his team win the AFC North division title. In 2019, Lamar Jackson became only the fourth African-American quarterback to win the prestigious Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player Award.

 32 
John Elway
(American football player)
John Elway
15
Birthdate: June 28, 1960
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Port Angeles, Washington, United States
Height: 6'3" (190 cm)
 33 
Barry Sanders
(American Former Professional Football Player Who Played in the Running Back Position)
Barry Sanders
10
Birthdate: July 16, 1968
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Wichita, Kansas, United States

Barry Sanders is a former professional American footballer who spent all his playing years with the Detroit Lions of NFL. Widely considered one of the greatest running backs in the history of National Football League, Barry Sanders has been made an inductee to Kansas Sports Hall of Fame, Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, and the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame.

 34 
Emmitt Smith
(Former American Professional Football Player Who Played in the Running Back Position)
Emmitt Smith
8
Birthdate: May 15, 1969
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Pensacola, Florida, United States

Emmitt Smith is a former American footballer who helped the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League win three Super Bowl championships between 1993 and 1996. He remains NFL's all-time leading rusher and is the only running back to win a Super Bowl. A humanitarian, Smith is credited with founding a nonprofit organization called the Pat & Emmitt Smith Charities.

 35 
Marshawn Lynch
(American Former Football Running Back)
Marshawn Lynch
8
Birthdate: April 21, 1986
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: Oakland, California, United States
Football running back Marshawn Lynch, also known as Beast Mode, initially played for UCB and was then drafted by the Buffalo Bills. He was then traded to the Seattle Seahawks, with whom he won Super Bowl XLVIII. He retired twice, only to get back to playing both the times.
 36 
Travis Kelce
(American Football Player)
Travis Kelce
18
Birthdate: October 5, 1989
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Westlake, Ohio, USA
Height: 6'6" (198 cm)
 37 
Michael Vick
(Former American Football Quarterback)
Michael Vick
17
Birthdate: June 26, 1980
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Newport News, Virginia, United States

Michael Vick is a former American football player who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons during which he represented successful teams like the Atlanta Falcons, Philadelphia Eagles, and New York Jets. Michael Vick is also known for his philanthropic efforts; he has established a couple of nonprofit organizations namely The Vick Foundation and Michael Vick Foundation.  

 38 
Jalen Hurts
(American football player)
Jalen Hurts
12
Birthdate: August 7, 1998
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Houston, Texas, United States
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 39 
Tony Romo
(Former American Professional Football Quarterback Known for His Time with the NFL Team 'Dallas Cowboys')
Tony Romo
13
Birthdate: April 21, 1980
Sun Sign: Taurus
Birthplace: San Diego, California, United States

Tony Romo is a former American football player. Romo played as a quarterback and represented the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League for 14 seasons. After his retirement, which was caused mainly by a back injury, Tony Romo became the lead color analyst for CBS Sports' NFL telecasts.

 40 
Steve Young
(American football player)
Steve Young
15
Birthdate: October 11, 1961
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Salt Lake City, Utah, United States
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 41 
Bo Jackson
(Former Baseball & Football Player, the Only Professional Athlete in History to be Named an 'All-Star' in Both)
Bo Jackson
11
Birthdate: November 30, 1962
Sun Sign: Sagittarius
Birthplace: Bessemer, Alabama, United States

Former professional baseball and football player Bo Jackson has the distinction of being the only professional athlete in history to be named an All-Star in both the sports. Considered one of the greatest athletes of all time, he pursued his other interests following his retirement from sports in the 1990s. He has acted in a few TV shows, playing minor characters.

 42 
Charles Woodson
(Football player)
Charles Woodson
16
Birthdate: October 7, 1976
Sun Sign: Libra
Birthplace: Fremont, Ohio, United States
Height: 6'1" (185 cm)
 43 
John David Washington
(Former American Football Player & Actor Known for His Roles in Series 'Ballers' and Films: 'BlacKkKlansman' and 'Tenet')
John David Washington
6
Birthdate: July 28, 1984
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Los Angeles, California, United States

Son of famous actor, Denzel Washington, John David Washington is a former professional footballer who played in the NFL Europe and the United Football League (UFL). He co-produced a film, The Book of Eli, and rose to fame as an actor with HBO drama series, Ballers. He later starred in critically acclaimed films, such as BlacKkKlansman and Tenet.

 44 
Pat Tillman
(American Professional Football Player Who Joined Army After September 11, 2001 Attacks)
Pat Tillman
10
Birthdate: November 6, 1976
Sun Sign: Scorpio
Birthplace: Fremont, California, United States
Died: April 22, 2004

Pat Tillman was an American football player who represented the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League. Tillman's decision to join the US Army after the September 11, 2001 attacks proved to be costly as he died in Afghanistan as a result of friendly fire. He became the first football player since Bob Kalsu to be killed in combat.

 45 
Kurt Warner
(Former football quarterback)
Kurt Warner
9
Birthdate: June 22, 1971
Sun Sign: Cancer
Birthplace: Burlington, Iowa, United States
Height: 6'2" (188 cm)
 46 
Matthew Stafford
(American Football Quarterback)
Matthew Stafford
13
Birthdate: February 7, 1988
Sun Sign: Aquarius
Birthplace: Tampa, Florida, United States
NFL quarterback Matthew Stafford initially played for the University of Georgia and was then drafted by the Detroit Lions in 2009. He became the fourth NFL quarterback to throw for more than 5,000 yards in a single season. He is also the fastest NFL player to score 40,000 yards. 
 47 
Tyreek Hill
(American football player)
Tyreek Hill
10
Birthdate: March 1, 1994
Sun Sign: Pisces
Birthplace: Pearson, Georgia, United States
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)
 48 
Derrick Henry
(American football player)
Derrick Henry
10
Birthdate: January 4, 1994
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: Yulee, Florida, United States
Height: 6'3" (190 cm)
 49 
Carl Weathers
(Actor and Former American Professional Football Player Known for His Role as ‘Apollo Creed’ in ‘Rocky’ Film Series)
Carl Weathers
10
Birthdate: January 14, 1948
Sun Sign: Capricorn
Birthplace: New Orleans, Louisiana, United States

Carl Weathers began his career as a football player, playing for the NFL team Oakland Raiders and the CFL team B.C. Lions. He stepped into acting with Arthur Marks’s blaxploitation films. He is best known as Apollo Creed from the Rocky films and as Greef Karga from The Mandalorian.

 50 
Kyler Murray
(American football player)
Kyler Murray
7
Birthdate: August 7, 1997
Sun Sign: Leo
Birthplace: Bedford, Texas, United States
Height: 5'10" (178 cm)