Greatest NFL Players I Love Reading About Repeatedly!
List activity
716 views
• 0 this weekCreate a new list
List your movie, TV & celebrity picks.
31 people
- Considered by many experts to be the greatest quarterback in the history of NFL football, Montana was recruited by the San Francisco 49ers from Notre Dame in 1979 after leading the "Fighting Irish" to a Cotton Bowl victory in 1978. "Joe Cool," as he was known for his ice cool disposition in the heat of the game, led the 49ers on field for twelve seasons and played key roles in the San Francisco 49ers four Super Bowl victories between 1982 and 1990. Montana scooped the Super Bowl MVP Award in 1982, 1985 and 1990, however he suffered an elbow injury in January 1991, and missed all of the 1991 season, and most of the 1992 season.
He was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in April 1993, and spent his final two years with the Chiefs before finally retiring at the end of 1994.
Well remembered for his amazing plays with fleet-footed wide receiver Jerry Rice, and high-stepping running back Roger Craig.He is my favorite football player to read about. He was known as being cool, calm, and collected while everyone else went crazy when the game was on the line. He is known as the comeback king or Mr. 4th quarter since he led his team to a lot of victories when his team was about to loose the game. During his prime, Joe Cool led his team to 31 4th quarter victories. He has won 3 MVP awards (first player to do so), 4 super bowls, and also holds super bowl record for most passes without an inception (122 in 4 games). In 1986, JM won the Comeback Player of the Year Award. - Actor
- Producer
- Director
Often mentioned as the greatest player in NFL history, this ruggedly handsome African American fullback for the Cleveland Browns first appeared on movie screens in the western Rio Conchos (1964), followed by a strong supporting role as convict commando "Jefferson" in the terrific WWII action film The Dirty Dozen (1967). He was kept busy with additional on screen appearances in other fast paced films including Ice Station Zebra (1968), 100 Rifles (1969) and El Condor (1970).
Brown's popularity grew during the boom of "blaxploitation" cinema in the early 1970s portraying tough "no nonsense" characters in Slaughter (1972), Black Gunn (1972) and Three the Hard Way (1974). His on-screen work in the latter part of the 1970s and 1980s was primarily centered around guest spots on popular TV shows such as CHiPs (1977) and Knight Rider (1982). However, Brown then resurfaced in better quality films beginning with his role as a fiery assassin in The Running Man (1987), he parodied the blaxploitation genre along with many other African-American actors in the comedy I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988), played an ex-heavyweight boxer in the sci-fi comedy Mars Attacks! (1996) and ironically played an ex-football legend in the Oliver Stone directed sports film Any Given Sunday (1999).
Additionally, Jim Brown was a ringside commentator for the first six events of the Ultimate Fighting Championships from 1993 through to 1996. A bona fide legend in American sports and a successful actor, he continues to remain busy in front of the camera with recent appearances in various sports shows & TV productions.Jim Brown is one of my other favorite players to read about as well as favorite player to watch on the screen. I am amazed at how many players it took to tackle down JB, which was not an easy tackle. It literally took the entire team to bring down Jim Brown who probably had the strongest legs in NFL history. Not only did he posses strength, he also had speed, which cause him to rush through his defenders. His nine year career is consider quite short but some since many players tend to stay in the NFL for 10 to 15 years. However, he made a large impact in his relatively short NFL career. Before Jerry Rice dominated the game in the 90s, he was considered the undeniable greatest NFL player of all time, where some consider him the very best. Best of all, he can brag about being a 3 time MVP champ to his list of accomplishment, which is not an easy task.- Actor
- Producer
Hall of Fame wide receiver and three-time Super Bowl champion Jerry Rice is widely regarded as the best wide receiver to ever play in the National Football League, and arguably the greatest player of all time. During his 15-year career with the San Francisco 49ers, Rice won three Super Bowls (Super Bowl XXIII ('88), Super Bowl XXIV ('89) and SB XXIX ('94)) and one Super Bowl MVP. He enjoyed three seasons with the Oakland Raiders, including a Super Bowl appearance and one season with the Seattle Seahawks before retiring in 2005. Rice was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in January 2010, his first year of eligibility.
Rice's meticulous preparation and work ethic during his 20-year NFL career became legendary. He holds 36 NFL records - a record in itself. Has scored the most touchdowns in NFL history (208) and holds virtually every significant career receiving record, including receptions (1,549), yards receiving (22,895), all-purpose yards (23,546), touchdown receptions (197) and consecutive games with at least one catch (274).
After his retirement, Rice's celebrity grew beyond the football field. He finished second in the second season of the ABC hit reality show Dancing with the Stars, led his team to victory on the golf course against other NFL legends on Big Break NFL Puerto Rico and has appeared on numerous other television shows. He has extensive broadcasting experience including as an analyst for ESPN, NBC and is a contributor on 95.7 The Game FM radio in the Bay Area. He co-authored the New York Times Bestseller, Super Bowl 50: 50 years 50 Moments as well as, America's Game: The NFL at 100 with Randy O. Williams and published by Harper Collins.
This success off the field and renowned work ethic has appealed Rice to numerous corporations, including NIKE, Mitchell & Ness and Panini, where he is working as a brand ambassador and spokesperson. He is also an Honorary Chairman for the San Francisco 49ers Foundation, whose mission is to educate and empower Bay Area youth.
In 2020, Rice and his family launched G.O.A.T. Fuel, a privately held lifestyle brand that empowers individual and collective greatness. G.O.A.T. stands for "Greatest of All Time", a nickname that has been widely used when describing Rice. G.O.A.T. Fuel promotes the unstoppable strength of a hopeful mindset through energy infused products, content and experiences.
Born in Crawford, Mississippi, Rice did not start playing football until he was a sophomore in high school. He was not recruited by many major college football programs and attended Mississippi Valley State University, public, historically black university and Division I-AA school. As a senior, he broke NCAA records for receptions, yards and touchdowns and acquired the nickname "World" because there wasn't a ball in the world he couldn't catch. He was elected into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2006.
Rice was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers and Hall of Fame coach Bill Walsh as the 16th overall pick in the 1985 NFL Draft. During his career, Rice was selected to the Pro Bowl a record 13 times, won the NFL Most Valuable Player Award in 1987 and was Super Bowl MVP in Super Bowl XXIII. In 1999, he was ranked No. 2 in The Sporting News' list of 100 Greatest Football Players - the highest-ranked active player and receiver - and in 2010, was voted the No. 1 player in the NFL Network's The Top 100: NFL's Greatest Players. In 2019, he was voted Greatest Player in NFL History by USA Today Sports and was also named to the NFL's All Time Team.
Rice resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with his wife, Latisha, and has four children.To many, he is not only considered the greatest wide receiver, but also greatest NFL player of all time due to all the records he has shattered throughout his career. As a receiver, JR (cool initials by the way) holds all time records in touchdowns, receptions, and yards. He was the first receiver to earn 22 touchdowns in a season, which was a record that remained unparalleled until it was broken by Randy Moss. However, keep in mind, he scored 22 TD in 12 games due to a strike, it took Randy Moss 16 games to break Jerry Rice record. It is said he owns over 100 records, which is the most of any player by a huge margin that may take years or decades to eclipse. There will be another player like Jerry Rice. On top of his impressive resume, his accolades also include being a 3 time super bowl champ and super bowl MVP. In spite of his legendary career, Jerry Rice has never won a MVP award, which is ironic since he accomplished everything else there is when it comes to dominating the field.- Actor
- Writer
- Producer
Lawrence Taylor was born on 4 February 1959 in Williamsburg, Virginia, USA. He is an actor and writer, known for Any Given Sunday (1999), The Waterboy (1998) and In Hell (2003). He has been married to Lynette Rose Gordon since 7 July 2007. He was previously married to Maritza Cruz and Deborah Belinda Cooley.This decorated athlete has done it all. He has done it all. Won MVP? Check. Won the super bowl? Double check. Two times, in fact. He beat Bam Bam Bigelow in WrestleMania 11 in 1995. Finally, he has participated in the dancing of the stars. In 1986, he won the MVP as a linebacker, which is extremely rare because no other linebacker has done that since. It is a rarity in general for a defensive player to win the MVP award; it is a quarterback or running back world when it comes to becoming MVP. Therefore, LT has broke barriers as a pioneering defensive player. He also has 132 sacks to his name as a linebacker. LT is considered to be the greatest defensive player of all time while being one of the greatest NFL players ever.- Walter Payton, nicknamed "Sweetness, " is 2nd on the NFL's All time rushing list. His playing career lasted from 1975 to 1987. In those years, he amassed 16,026 rushing yards. He made a few appearances on television (as a guest star), but he was known as a profoundly personal man.Sweetness is what they call this legend who held the record in rushing yards (16,726) for many years before it was shattered by another NFL legend (please keep reading to find out). He was described by his coach as a great NFL player as well as a great person in real life. As a running back, he holds the record for 8 touchdown passes, which is unheard of for nonquarterback to throw touchdown passes. He is the receipent of 2 MVP awards as well as the super bowl ring. However, his life was cut short when he suffered Cholangiocarcinoma, a rare liver cancer, which caused him to died at 46 years from a condition.
- Producer
- Actor
- Soundtrack
Tom Brady was born on August 3, 1977 in San Mateo, California, to Galynn Patricia (Johnson) and Thomas Edward Brady, who owns a financial planning business. His father is of Irish descent and his mother is of Norwegian-Swedish and Polish ancestry. He attended Junipero Serra High School, the same high school which produced Barry Bonds of the SF Giants. He attended the University of Michigan from 1995 to 1999. He was a backup to Brian Griese when the Wolverines went 12-0 and won the national championship in 1997. Brady shared the starting quarterback job with Drew Henson in 1998 and 1999, but managed to compile a 20-5 record over those two years, including a 2-0 record in bowl games. The New England Patriots made him a sixth round draft choice in 2000, the 199th player selected overall in the draft. He spent 2000 as a fourth string quarterback behind Drew Bledsoe, John Friesz and Michael Bishop. In 2001, Brady was elevated to second string quarterback behind Bledsoe as training camp broke. The fortunes for both Brady and the Patriots changed forever on September 23, 2001, as Bledsoe was hit hard by New York Jet linebacker "Mo Lewis", suffering a near life-threatening injury. Brady replaced Bledsoe in the contest, and has started every Patriot game at quarterback since. Bledsoe was never able to regain his starting job, as Brady led the Patriots on an 11-3 run to close the 2001 regular season, then led the Patriots through the playoffs and an improbable 20-17 win over the St. Louis Rams, a 14-point favorite, in Super Bowl XXXVI. After an ordinary 2002 season, Brady skippered the Patriots to one of the greatest seasons in NFL history in 2003. The Patriots began the season 2-2, then won every remaining regular season and playoff game, capped off by a 32-29 win over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII. Brady followed that up with a second consecutive Super Bowl appearance in 2004, as the Patriots once again went 14-2 in the regular season and defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, 24-21 in Super Bowl XXXIX. Brady is 9-0 all-time in the playoffs in his career following Super Bowl XXXIX. In the first two Super Bowls he has played in, Brady was named the Super Bowl MVP, becoming one of only four players in NFL history to win this award more than once. Brady is 48-14 as a starting Patriot quarterback going into the 2005 season. His poise as well as his penchant for playing with incredible cool and precision in big games is drawing comparisons with the great Joe Montana, former SF 49ers quarterback.
Brady is married to model Gisele Bündchen, and the couple has two children. His brother-in-law is baseball player Kevin Youkilis, who is married to Tom's sister, Julie.The current super bowl champion (sorry Seattle fans) is a two time MVP, 3 time super bowl MVP, and a four time super bowl champion. He has led his team to six super bowl trips while winning four of them, which means he has a good percentage when it comes to winning the super bowl. He has led his team to move division titles (12), which is more than any other team in NFL history. He ranks 5th in touch passes at 392 passes. His accolades are starting to become a comparison to the great Joe Montana, which led to people calling him one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history. In 2010, he was called the greatest player in the league. He did not let a torn ACL stopped him (he suffered in 2008) stopped him from dominating the sport the following year. During the 2007-2008 season, Tom Brady led his team to an undefeated season, which is a rare feat in the NFL. Finally, he is also the first quarterback to throw 50 or more touchdown passes in a single season.- Producer
- Writer
- Actor
Peyton Manning is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback for 18 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Considered to be one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time due to his numerous career achievements, Peyton spent 14 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and was a member of the Denver Broncos in his last four seasons. Manning played college football for the University of Tennessee, leading the Tennessee Volunteers to the 1997 SEC Championship in his senior season. He is the second son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning and older brother of New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning.
Peyton Manning was selected by the Colts as the first overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft. From 1998 to 2010, he improved the fortunes of the struggling Colts franchise and helped transform them into consistent playoff contenders. During his tenure as starting quarterback, Manning led the team to eight division championships, two AFC championships, and one Super Bowl title, the franchise's first in over three decades, as well as their first since relocating to Indianapolis.
After undergoing neck surgery that forced him to miss the entire 2011 season, Manning was released by the Colts and signed with the Broncos. Serving as the team's starting quarterback from 2012 to 2015, he contributed to the Broncos reaching the top of their division each year and his playing career concluded with a victory in Super Bowl 50.
Peyton Manning holds many NFL records, including AP MVP awards (5), Pro Bowl appearances (14), 4,000-yard passing seasons (14), single-season passing yards (5,477 in 2013), single-season passing touchdowns (55 in 2013). He tied for most First-Team All Pros for a quarterback with 7, and is second in career passing yards (71,940) and passing TD (539). At 39 years of age, Manning was the oldest quarterback to start in and win a Super Bowl until Tom Brady surpassed him by winning a Super Bowl at 41.He is a five time MVP champion, which is an all time record in NFL history. He still has a little gas in his tank, which means he can win another MVP award before he calls it career in a few years. Even if he does not win another MVP, his 5 time MVP record speaks for itself. In 2009, he was voted as the best player in the league as well as the best player of the decade. He is the one who broke Dan Mario's 48 touchdown pass by throwing 49 touch down passes in a single year. He is the older brother of Eli Manning. Nagging neck injuries has slowed him down because he was forced to sit out an entire season in 2011, which ruined his streak of missing a NFL game. While it was a disappointment for him to miss a year of football, health should come first. Nonetheless, he led his team to a super bowl ring, which also caused him to win super bowl MVP. Finally, he is the all time leader in career touchdown passes by a significant margin at 530 passes. On top of his impressive resume, he is considered one of the smartest man in football, which means he has a high sports IQ.- Emmitt Smith was born on 15 May 1969 in Pensacola, Florida, USA. He is an actor, known for Little Giants (1994), How I Met Your Mother (2005) and CSI: Cyber (2015). He has been married to Pat Smith since 22 April 2000. They have three children.ES is the guy who is responsible for eclipsing the great Walter Payton rushing yard record (18,355 yards) as a dominant running back. He has lead his team to three super bowl victories as well as be a super bowl champion. In fact, he is the only running back to win the MVP, super bowl, rushing crown award, and super bowl MVP during the same year. He joins Jim Brown and a couple of other elite running backs in leading the NFL in rushing yards for three or more consecutive seasons. He along with Jerry Rice is the two non kickers to score 1,000 or more points in NFL history.
- Actor
- Producer
- Additional Crew
Marino was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and attended the University of Pittsburgh, where he became the most prolific and celebrated passer in Pitt Panther history and a first-round draft pick for Don Shula of the Dolphins. Marino has established a record number of records on the All-Time Quarterback list, does charity work, and created the Dan Marino Foundation to benefit the youth charities of South Florida.Dan Marino is well known as the boy with the golden arm, which lead his team to the Super Bowl in 1984. 1984 was the year of Dan Marino because he set record after record as the quarterback who was the future of the NFL. For instance, he threw an amazing 48 touchdown passes during a season, which was a record that remained unbeaten until it was broken by Tom Brady, 25 years later. While he had a great rookie year in 84, he lost to the Super Bowl the more experience team, the 49ers, which was led by Joe Montana. One must wonder what would have happened had he beat Joe Montana during the 1984 Super bowl? Would we have seen a repeat of Dan dominating the game as he did in 1984 for years to come? However, him not winning the super bowl did not stop him from having a great NFL career since he led his Miami Dolphin team to 10 playoff appearances, which showed he could get the job done as a consistent player. While he did not win a ring, he managed to have one of the greatest years in football history. For example, he won rookie of the year in 83 and MVP in 84, which is something to talk about.- Producer
- Writer
- Actor
Deion Sanders is an American former professional football and baseball player who is a sports analyst.
He played 14 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, Washington Redskins, and the Baltimore Ravens. He had a part-time career in baseball as an outfielder for nine seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), where he played professionally for the New York Yankees, the Atlanta Braves, the Cincinnati Reds, and the San Francisco Giants. Sanders won two Super Bowl titles and made one World Series appearance in 1992, making him the only individual to appear in both a Super Bowl and a World Series.
He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.He is considered one of the most multidimensional athletes of all time since he is the only athlete to play in the Super Bowl and World Series. In fact, in 1989, he record a home run while scoring a touch down during the same week, which is unheard of even to this very day. No other athlete has done what Deion Sanders has did for both football and baseball. In football, he played cornerback, running back, wide receiver, and punt kicker, return kick. Ultimately, his accolades include winning two Super Bowl rings, one with the 49ers and the other with Dallas Cowboys. Could Sanders be the reason why everyone loves the Cowboys so much?- Bo Jackson was born on Nov. 30, 1962, in Bessemer, Alabama He was a 6' 1", 222 pounds tailback. He graduated from McAdory High School in McCalla, Ala., and attended Auburn from 1982-85. He went on to play football for the Los Angeles Raiders and baseball for the Kansas City Royals, the Chicago White Sox, and the California Angels. Jackson made a name for himself as a two sport star. A serious hip injury in early 90s ended his football career. Jackson managed to return to baseball until his retirement.After Jim Thorpe and before Deion Sanders, there was Bo Jackson. Bo Jackson is a former baseball and football player who became the only athlete to play in the NFL and MLB all-star game, which is a exhibition for the top players in the league. He was voted by ESPN as the greatest athlete of all time.
- This multitalented player played track and field, football basketball, and baseball. This man really has played every sport known to man. He won the Olympic gold medals in the decathlon and pentathlon, which is not an easy task. Due to the strict rules of amateurism, he had to forfeit his medals when the Olympics learned he earned money to play baseball before performing at the Olympics, which meant he was not amateur. 30 years later, the Olympics decided to give Jim Thorpe his medals after he died, which was their way of admitting their made a mistake. In 1920, he became the first president of the American Presidential Football Association for a year, which would later be recognized as the NFL.
- Actor
- Producer
- Casting Department
Until the start of the 2008 Season, Brett Favre was the Green Bay Packers' starting Quarterback since joining the team in 1992. He joins Joe Montana in being the only players to win back-to-back MVP awards. Favre led the Packers to three consecutive playoff appearances (for the first time since the 1960s) including a Superbowl win in 1996. Raised in Kiln, Mississippi, Favre was both a baseball and a football star, lettering in both sports. On July 14, 1996, Favre married long-time girlfriend Deanna Tynes after a 12-year courtship.He is one of the most successful and dominant quarterbacks in NFL history. Brett was a 20 year veteran which showed up much he loved the game of football. He holds the record for most career passes at 71,000, most career passes completed, most career passes attempted, most games started as a quarter, and most games won as starting quarterback. He is the only quarterback and NFL player to win 3 consecutive MVP awards from 2005 to 2007, which was the era of Favre. He is one of the few players to win a Super Bowl (won at SB 31) while winning the MVP award. He lead his team to eight division titles, two Super Bowl appearances (31 and 32), and NFC championship.- Producer
- Actor
- Writer
Michael Strahan was born on 21 November 1971 in Houston, Texas, USA. He is a producer and actor, known for The Lego Ninjago Movie (2017), Ice Age: Collision Course (2016) and Charlie's Angels (2019). He was previously married to Jean Marie Muggli and Wanda Nicole Hutchins.It is interesting how he won the Superbowl during his final year in the NFL in 2007. He is fifth on the all time list of sacks at 141.5 sacks. After football, he has managed to keep himself active by going NFL color commentary and cohosting Live with Regis and Kelly with Kelly Ripa. He is an unique talent since he broke the record for most sacks in a season at 22.5 in 2001, which means MS was a force to be reckon with during the early to mid 2000s.- Actor
- Producer
- Writer
Randy Moss was born on 13 February 1977 in Rand, West Virginia, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for NFL Turning Point (2011), Arli$$ (1996) and Sunday NFL Countdown (1985).Considered one of the finest receivers of all time to not win the Super Bowl or MVP award. He is famous for breaking Jerry Rice's touchdown in a season record when he scored 23 TD in in 2007. RM also holds the record for single touch down scored by a rookie (17) in 1998, which led him to receive rookie of the year honors. He is the second all time leader on the touch down reception list at 156.- Barry Sanders is an American former professional football player who was a running back for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). A Pro Bowl invitee in each of his ten NFL seasons and two-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year, Sanders led the league in rushing yards four times and established himself as one of the most elusive runners in pro football with his quickness and agility. In 2007, he was ranked by NFL Network's NFL Top 10 series as the most elusive runner in NFL history, and topped its list of greatest players never to play in a Super Bowl. He is often regarded as one of the greatest running backs in NFL history.
Barry Sanders played college football for the Oklahoma State Cowboys football team, where, as a junior in 1988 he compiled what is considered one of the greatest individual seasons in college football history, rushing for 2,850 yards and 42 touchdowns in 12 games. He was awarded the Heisman Trophy as the most outstanding college player in the nation and was unanimously recognized as an All-American. Sanders was first inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1998. He then was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003 and in that same year inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.
Barry Sanders joined the Lions in 1989 and had an immediate impact, winning the NFL's Rookie of the Year award. Through ten seasons in Detroit, he averaged over 1,500 rushing yards per season and just under 100 rushing yards per game. In 1997, he became the third player to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season and was named the NFL Most Valuable Player. Still seemingly in his prime, Sanders unexpectedly retired from football after the 1998 season, 1,457 yards short of breaking the then NFL's all-time rushing record. His number 20 jersey was retired by the Lions, and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004. A year later Barry Sanders was also inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame.Many consider this man the greatest runner back to never win the Super Bowl since he was probably the most consistent runner back to ever play the game. However, he did win his MVP award back in 1997. He led the league in rushing 1,500 yards 5 times; whereas, he has the career average in most 100 yard games in a season at 14. He has the all time NFL highest average in rushing yards at 5.0. Finally, he was a four time rushing champion in 1990, 1994, 1996, and 1997), - Johnny Unitas played his collegiate career at the University of Louisville (1951-54), passing for 3,007 yards and 27 touchdowns. Unitas, who wore No. 19 as a professional, had his No. 16 collegiate uniform retired at Louisville, the only number retired by the Cardinals.
Known as "The Golden Arm", Unitas had anything but a golden introduction to the NFL. A late round draft pick of the Pittsburg Steelers, he was cut in his rookie year. He signed with the Baltimore Colts a year later and began to change the future of pro football. Unitas quarterbacked the Colts in the NFL title in 1958, beating the New York Giants in the league's first overtime championship, known forever more as the greatest game ever played.
Unitas' legend grew through the 60s and 70s. His record for throwing a touchdown in 47 consecutive games continues to stand. He became the first NFL quarterback to pass for more than 40,000 yards. In January 1971, Unitas won his last championship, leading the Colts against the Cowboys in Super Bowl V.
The persona of "Johnny U" exceeds even his numbers. His bow-legged gait and crew cut became his trademarks. His flair for leading the Colts to come from behind wins became his signature. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979.
In Baltimore, Unitas will be remembered as much for his personal touch as for his professional greatness. Ever willing to stop for an autograph or to give of his time, Unitas helped christen Towson University's new stadium last week - with a pass.
No one could have known that would have been the last pass from his golden arm. Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley said, "This is a particularly painful day for Baltimore, because Johnny Unitas was Baltimore -- guts and grit." He played in 10 Pro Bowls, was named MVP three times, and was named the NFL's all-time greatest quarterback at the league's 50th anniversary. He retired in 1973 after one year with the San Diego Chargers. At that time, he held nearly every passing mark in the league record book. - Richard J. Butkus, "Dick", was born in Chicago, Illinois, December 9, 1942. He graduated from the University of Illinois where he was a two time All- American line backer. A first round draft pick of the Chicago Bears, Dick played for them from 1965-1973, and was named All-Pro linebacker seven times. Mr. Butkus was elected into the NFL "Football Hall of Fame" at Canton, Ohio. Many football gurus consider Dick Butkus the finest linebacker in the history of football.
- Football-player-turned-actor "Slinging" Sammy Baugh was born in Texas in 1914 to a father who worked for the Santa Fe Railroad, which meant that the family moved around a lot. Sammy attended Texas Christian University on a baseball scholarship, but he also played football and basketball at the college (although he is most famous for his football prowess, his nickname, "Slinging Sammy", was bestowed upon him at TCU because of his baseball skills). Upon graduation in 1937 Sammy signed up with the Washington Redskins of the NFL. He played minor-league baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals farm team the next year, but stayed with the Redskins.
It was inevitable that a big, strong, good-looking athlete would attract attention in Hollywood, and in 1941 Republic Pictures approached him about starring in a serial for them. He liked the idea and signed up for King of the Texas Rangers (1941), directed by ace serial specialists John English and William Witney, with a cast that included such serial veterans as Roy Barcroft, Duncan Renaldo, Stanley Blystone and Bud Geary and backed by Republic's top-notch team of stuntmen, such as Tom Steele and David Sharpe. The serial is considered by many western and serial aficionados to be one of the best ever made by Republic.
The picture was a rousing success and Republic wanted Sammy to make more of them, but although he said that he had fun doing it, acting was not something he was particularly interested in and he turned down the offer. He wanted to go back to playing football.
In 1952 he retired from professional football after 16 seasons with the Redskins. He was inducted into the Professional Football Hall of Fame in 1963. Although he didn't play football again, he did coach college and pro teams before retiring from the sport in 1968. - Actor
- Writer
- Additional Crew
Gale Sayers was born on 30 May 1943 in Wichita, Kansas, USA. He was an actor and writer, known for Brian's Song (1971), Patriot Act: A Jeffrey Ross Home Movie (2005) and Guiding Light (1952). He was married to Ardythe Elaine Bullard and Linda Lou McNeil. He died on 23 September 2020 in Wakarusa, Indiana, USA.- Otto Graham is an American professional football player who was a quarterback for the Cleveland Browns in the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and National Football League (NFL). Graham is regarded by critics as one of the most dominant players of his era, having taken the Browns to league championship games every year between 1946 and 1955, winning seven of them. With Graham at quarterback, the Browns posted a record of 57 wins, 13 losses, and one tie, including a 9-3 win-loss record in the playoffs. While most of Graham's statistical records have been surpassed in the modern era, he still holds the NFL record for career average yards gained per pass attempt, with 8.63. He also holds the record for the highest career winning percentage for an NFL starting quarterback, at 0.810. Long-time New York Yankees owner George M. Steinbrenner III, a friend of Graham's, once called him "as great of a quarterback as there ever was."
Otto Graham grew up in Waukegan, Illinois, the son of music teachers. He entered Northwestern University in 1940 on a basketball scholarship, but football soon became his main sport. After a brief stint in the military at the end of World War II, Graham played for the Rochester Royals of the National Basketball League (NBL), winning the 1945-46 championship. Paul Brown, Cleveland's coach, signed Graham to play for the Browns, where he thrived. Graham's 1946 NBL and AAFC titles made him the first of only two people on to have won championships in two of the four major North American sports (the second was Gene Conley).
After he retired from playing football in 1955, Graham coached college teams in the College All-Star Game and became head football coach for the Coast Guard Bears at the United States Coast Guard Academy. After seven years there, he was hired as head coach of Washington Redskins in 1966. Following three unsuccessful years with them, he resigned and returned to the Coast Guard Academy, where he served as athletic director until his retirement in 1984. Graham was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965. - The son of a steel worker from Beaver Falls, Pa., Joseph William Namath (Joe Willie) came from the rich football tradition that is in Pennsylvania. After starring for Paul 'Bear' Bryant's Alabama Crimson Tide teams in the 1960s, Namath was drafted by both the National Football League's (NFL) St. Louis Cardinals and the rival American Football League's (AFL) New York Jets in 1965. Namath, known as a brash performer in college, signed with the Jets for a then-record $450,000 and gave the upstart, struggling AFL instant credibility in its war with the NFL. Although he didn't turn the Jets into instant winners, he did improve their fortunes his first three years in the league. Namath delivered on his promise as one of the most exciting players in the AFL, by becoming the first quarterback in history to pass for more than 4,000 yards. Namath was also popular off the field, especially with the ladies (which he indulged in, happily) and was known for his love of the New York nightlife. Because of this, he was dubbed "Broadway Joe" by the New York press. Namath gained his legend with not only his performance, but his mouth. After leading the Jets to the AFL championship over the Oakland Raiders, Namath, weary of all the press knocking him and his team and openly favoring the NFL champion Baltimore Colts, boldly lashed out and predicted victory for him and the Jets. He also showed his poise by talking his way out of a potentially explosive situation with Colts' Defensive Tackle, Lou Michaels. Namath and a teammate were in a restaurant talking about how the Jets were a better team than the Colts, when Michaels (who was in earshot) challenged Namath. The cocky QB, instead, bought Michaels dinner, drinks and gave him a ride home. In the game that many felt made the Super Bowl the spectacle it is today, Namath and the Jets were nearly flawless in beating the 17-point favorite Colts, 16-7. Namath became a household name and gave the Jets and the AFL the respectability they were so desperate to have. Namath continued his all-star performances in New York, although he never again played in the Super Bowl. For several years, he was the entertainer of the NFL (the AFL merged with the NFL in 1970) and even dabbled in movies and television (including a memorable performance in pantyhose for a commercial). He was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in 1977, but his failing knees finally gave out and he retired at the end of the season. Namath was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985 and, for a few years, was a member of ABC's NFL Monday Night Football (1970) crew. Namath now lives in Florida.
- Donald Montgomery Hutson was the first star wide receiver in NFL history. He is credited with creating many of the modern pass routes used in the NFL today. He is credited as the first to use the buttonhook, z-out, hook and go and countless other routes that have become staples of offensive football. Along with Jerry Rice, he is widely considered the greatest wide receiver in NFL history.
The All American played at University of Alabama with teammate Paul "Bear" Bryant at the other end position. The Crimson Tide team won the Rose Bowl in 1935 beating Stanford 29-13 with Hutson catching 6 passes for 165 yards and two touchdowns.
He joined the Green Bay Packers in 1935. Legendary coach Curley Lambeau wanted to isolate Hudson away from the defense by splitting him out away from the formation. Hense, the term "split end".
His first season Hutson scored his very first touchdown on an eighty-three yard pass from Arnie Herber. Many historians refer to this as, "the play that forever changed the game." In his eleven subsequent seasons, Hutson captured 18 major NFL receiving records. He had 488 receptions, by far the most productive of his era, and one of the most productive of all time. Don also led the league in scoring 5 consecutive and 8 seasons overall.
When he retired in 1945, he had 99 receiving touchdowns, a record that would stand for 44 years when Seahawk Steve Largent caught his 100th and last NFL TD.
As did almost all players in his day, Hutson played both offense and defense. On defense, Hutson was a very good safety who intercepted 30 passes over the final 6 years of his career. Hutson's highest season total was in 1943, when Hutson intercepted 8 passes in only 10 games. For many of his 11 seasons, Hutson was also the kicker for the Packers. He added 172 extra points and 7 field goals for another league record, 881 points.
In 1999, he was ranked number 6 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players, the highest-ranking Packer and the highest-ranking pre-World War II player.
The Green Bay Packer retired his #14. He was a charter member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. - George Blanda was born on 17 September 1927 in Youngwood, Pennsylvania, USA. He was married to Betty Harris. He died on 27 September 2010 in Alameda, California, USA.
- Harold 'Red' Grange was born on 13 June 1903 in Forksville, Pennsylvania, USA. He was an actor, known for One Minute to Play (1926), The Galloping Ghost (1931) and A Racing Romeo (1927). He was married to Margaret Hazelberg. He died on 28 January 1991 in Lake Wales, Florida, USA.
- Jason Taylor was born on 1 September 1974 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. He is an actor, known for Holby City (1999), Ballers (2015) and The NFL on CBS (1956). He was previously married to Katina Thomas.Pretty boy is 6th in all time sacks (139 sacks) in NFL history. He is also the all time leader in fumble returns touchdowns at 6, which is pretty impressive since he was also versatile player.
- Reginald Howard White was born on December 19, 1961 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was born to unmarried parents, Charles White and Thelma Dodd Collier. He was raised by his mother until age eight when he was placed with his grandmother, Mildred Dodd.
At Howard High School, Reggie lettered in football, basketball and track. Following high school, he attended the University of Tennessee where he is still the all-time leader for sacks in a career and holds the single game and single season records for most sacks.
He began his professional career with the Memphis Showboats of the USFL in 1984. After the USFL folded in 1985, he went on to play for the Philadelphia Eagles where he would play for eight years, establishing himself as one of the premier pass rushers in the NFL.
In 1993, he signed with the Green Bay Packers and three years later won his first and only Super Bowl. He retired from the NFL at the end of the 1998 season only to comeback in 2000 for one more season with the Carolina Panthers.
He died on December 26, 2004 at his home in Cornelius, North Carolina. He is survived by his wife of almost twenty years, Sara White, and two children.
On February 4, 2006, he was posthumously elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.He is widely considered as the greatest defensive of end player in NFL history. He won defensive player of the year award two times (1987 and 1998). He was also won the Super Bowl. He was nicknamed Minister of Defense since he was a born again Christian. He had 1,112 tackles while ending up with 198.5 sacks (2nd most in NFL history) as defensive of end (RIP 1961-2004). - Actor
- Soundtrack
Bruce Smith was born on 18 June 1963 in Norfolk, Virginia, USA. He is an actor, known for Little Giants (1994), Uncle Drew (2018) and Arli$$ (1996). He has been married to Carmen Lathan since 7 July 1990. They have one child.Set NFL record by having 200 sacks as defensive of end.- Ray Lewis was born on 15 May 1975 in Bartow, Florida, USA. He is an actor, known for Draft Day (2014), Route 65 Nashville and Arli$$ (1996).He is considered by many to be one of the greatest linebackers in NFL history as well as the greatest Baltimore Raven player ever. He won two Super Bowl as well as being the second linebacker to win the Super Bowl MVP. He has over 1,335 tackles to his name, which is the all time record for the Baltimore Ravens. His record stands at 51 tackles during the post NFL season. He also won defensive player of the year award in 2000, 2001, and 2003, which is a rare since only six players have won the award repeatedly. What is impressive about this player is after he torn his triceps, he returned to the NFL to win the Super Bowl. Not only did he return and played at a high level, but he also won Super Bowl, which a lot of players cannot say they have done. The only thing that is missing on his resume is winning the MVP award. While he was a great player, he was guilty in being of the murdering event, which consisted of two men being stabbed and killed back in 2000. While he is said not to have killed the men, he receive a year of probation when he testified about being a witness to the crime.
- Actor
- Additional Crew
John Elway is an American former professional football quarterback who is general manager and president of football operations for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL).
John Elway played college football at Stanford and his entire 16-year professional career with the Denver Broncos. At the time of his retirement in early 1999, Elway had recorded the most victories by a starting quarterback and statistically was the second most prolific passer in NFL history. He was also a prolific rusher of the ball, being one of only two players ever to score a rushing touchdown in four different Super Bowls (the other being Thurman Thomas) and the only quarterback to do so.
John Elway set several career records for passing attempts and completions while at Stanford and also received All-American honors. He was the first selection in the 1983 NFL Draft, famously known as the quarterback class of 1983, where he was taken by the Baltimore Colts before being traded to the Denver Broncos. In January 1987, Elway embarked on one of the most notable performances in sports and in NFL history, helping engineer a 98-yard, game-tying touchdown drive in the AFC Championship Game against the Cleveland Browns. Following that game in Cleveland, Elway and the Broncos lost in Super Bowl XXI to the New York Giants Football Team.
After two more Super Bowl losses, the Broncos entered a period of decline; however, that ended during the 1997 season, as Elway and Denver won their first Super Bowl title by defeating the Green Bay Packers 31-24 in Super Bowl XXXII. The Broncos repeated as champions the following season in Super Bowl XXXIII by defeating the Atlanta Falcons 34-19. Elway was voted MVP of that Super Bowl, which was the last game of his career, and in doing so Elway set a then-record five Super Bowl starts which was broken in February 2015 when Tom Brady of New England Patriots started Super Bowl XLIX. As Denver's quarterback, Elway led his teams to six AFC Championship Games and five Super Bowls, winning two. After his retirement as a player, he served as general manager and executive vice president of football operations of the Broncos, which won four division titles, two AFC Championships, and Super Bowl 50 during his tenure. Elway has been a member of the Broncos organization for all three of their Super Bowl victories, two as a player and one as an executive.
Elway was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004 in his first year of eligibility and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000.He is one of the most successful quarterbacks ever since he led his team to five Super Bowl appearances, which is a record he shares with Tom Brady. He also won his final two Super Bowls before retiring from the game for good. Before Brett Favre, he dominated the game by leading the leading in victorious as quarter and is one of the most elite passes in the history of football. Welcome to 30,000 passing club Mr. Elway. He led his team to six AFC games. He is also recipient of NFL MVP award and Super Bowl MVP, during his final game.- Orenthal James Simpson, was an American former football running back, broadcaster, actor, advertising spokesman.
Simpson attended the University of Southern California, where he played football for the USC Trojans and won the Heisman Trophy in 1968. He played professionally as a running back in the NFL for 11 seasons, primarily with the Buffalo Bills from 1969 to 1977. He also played for the San Francisco 49ers from 1978 to 1979. In 1973, he became the first NFL player to rush for more than 2,000 yards in a season. He holds the record for the single season yards-per-game average, which stands at 143.1. He was the only player to ever rush for over 2,000 yards in the 14-game regular season NFL format.
Simpson was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1983 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985. After retiring from football, he began new careers in acting and football broadcasting.I know I am going to get heat for this controversial entry; however, long before the days he was know as a serial killer, he was a heck of a football player who dominated the sport on the field during the 1970s. To demonstrate, he is the first player to rush for 2,000 yards in a season, which he did in 1973. He set the record for highest rushing average in a season at 143. He also won the NFL MVP award in 1973. Finally, he was inducted into a NFL Hall of Fame in 1985. Outside of football, he had a successful career as a broadcaster and actor.