Fans can always debate the greatest football players of all time, but some legendary figures stand above the rest. This guide looks at the best NFL players in history and the modern day, taking you through the most impressive records held in the sport.
- The Evolution of Greatness: American Football Legends
- Current Stars: Top American Football Players
- Defining Greatness in an American Football Player
- FAQs
The Evolution of Greatness: American Football Legends
Legends from Different Eras of American Football
Every era of a sport brings new heroes. American football boasts legendary players from each decade since the game was invented in the late 19th century, but who are some of the best American football players of all time?
Jim Brown: Dominance in an Era
Jim Brown is often considered the greatest running back of all time, and one of the best NFL players across any position. He excelled at Syracuse, where his number is now retired, and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1995. Brown was chosen by Cleveland as the 6th pick in the 1957 NFL draft, and he stayed with the Browns until the end of his playing career in 1965. In that 7-year period, Jim Brown was invited to the Pro Bowl every season, named AP NFL Most Valuable Player 3 times, led the league in rushing yards for 8 of 9 seasons, and won an NFL championship in 1964.
Jerry Rice: The Greatest Wide Receiver
Jerry Rice played 20 seasons in the NFL, winning 3 Super Bowl titles with the San Francisco 49ers before spending his final playing years with the Oakland Raiders and Seattle Seahawks. Widely known as the greatest wide receiver of all time, Rice holds statistical records in a huge number of categories and was selected to the Pro Bowl an incredible 13 times. He was named Super Bowl MVP in 1988, and during his career he scored more points than any other non-kicker in the history of the NFL.
Lawrence Taylor: Revolutionizing Defense
“L.T.” built an astonishing career at the New York Giants, where he played from his selection in the 1981 draft until his retirement in 1993. Taylor won AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year in his very first season in the league, and in 1986 he was named the NFL MVP, becoming only the second ever defensive player to earn this accolade – a feat which has not been repeated since Taylor’s award. A central part of the iconic “Big Blue Wrecking Crew” defense that helped the Giants to 2 Super Bowl titles, Taylor set defensive records that modern players will struggle to break.
Tom Brady: The Quarterback Maestro
Tom Brady might be the most familiar name of all the players listed here. Frequently cited as the best quarterback of all time, Brady spent 23 seasons smashing records in the NFL. He was selected in the 6th round of the 2000 draft and became the Patriots’ starting QB by his second season, which also saw him claim the first of 7 Super Bowl titles. In 18 seasons starting for the Pats, Brady led his team to 17 division titles, 13 AFC Championship Games, and 9 Super Bowl appearances, winning 6. His last Super Bowl came with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 2020, 2 years before his eventual retirement. Tom Brady holds a staggering number of QB records, including most career passing yards, most completions, and most touchdown passes. At 40, he became the oldest player ever to be named NFL MVP, and he was Super Bowl MVP at 43.
The Challenges of Comparing Players
Statistics and accolades are often used to determine the greatest American football players of all time, but it can be difficult to compare players across different eras of the sport, and in different positions on the field. Even Lawrence Taylor, for example, has won far fewer awards than superstar offensive players like Tom Brady – but Taylor’s influence on the development of defensive plays is undeniable.
Current Stars: Top American Football Players
Currently Famous American Football Players
In 2023, the best American football players in the world include:
- Patrick Mahomes – the Kansas City Chiefs QB was named NFL MVP in his first season as a starter, and since then has led his team to 5 straight AFC Championship Game appearances and 2 Super Bowl titles. Mahomes is now in elite company with Tom Brady and Joe Montana as the only QBs to win multiple regular season and Super Bowl MVP awards
- Nick Bosa – selected with the second pick of the 2019 draft, Bosa made an immediate impact at the San Francisco 49ers, becoming NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. A few years later, he was named Defensive Player of the Year, and at just 25 he has already been selected for the Pro Bowl 3 times
- Justin Jefferson – a young sensation, Jefferson was making waves before he reached the NFL, winning the College Football Playoff National Championship with LSU in 2020. The wide receiver was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings the same year and has been named to the Pro Bowl for each of his first 3 professional seasons. In 2022, he was named Offensive Player of the Year in the NFL
The Achievements and Impact of Players
American football players, like athletes in any sport, are judged by the awards they win and the records they break. Tom Brady’s 7 Super Bowl titles cement his place among American football legends, and he remains the only player to have won a Super Bowl in 3 different decades. Many fans, however, will also have more personal icons – players who may not claim the grandest trophies, but who become symbols of their teams through passion or great longevity.
Defining Greatness in an American Football Player
Setting the Criteria: What Makes a Player the Best?
There is no single formula for identifying the best American football players, and many of the factors used to assess athletes are highly position dependent. A lineman, for example, is unlikely be judged by his pass completions. In offence or defence, however, those players who can go beyond individual glory to lead their teams to greatness are typically the ones who go down in history.
Statistical Dominance: Records That Define Greatness
Looking at the record books, certain players do stand out as having achieved incredible success in their areas of the sport. Some NFL records and their current holders include:
- Most Super Bowl wins – Tom Brady (7)
- Most Super Bowl MVP awards – Tom Brady (5)
- Most NFL seasons played – George Blanda (26)
- Most points scored in a career – Adam Vinatieri (2,673)
- Most points scored in a single game – Ernie Nevers (40)
- Most touchdowns in a career – Jerry Rice (208)
- Most touchdowns in a season – LaDainian Tomlinson (31)
- Highest passer rating in a season – Aaron Rodgers (122.5)
- Most interceptions in a career – Paul Krause (81)
- Most sacks in a career – Bruce Smith (200)
The Team Factor: Success and Championships
A single person can only do so much, but some of the best American football players of all time are those who led their teams to great heights. Team records in the NFL include:
- Most Super Bowl wins – Pittsburgh Steelers & New England Patriots (6)
- Most Super Bowl appearances – New England Patriots (11)
- Most conference championship game appearances – San Francisco 49ers (18)
- Most games won since 1970 NFL/AFL merger – Pittsburgh Steelers (540)
- Highest winning percentage for regular season – Green Bay Packers (.572 between 1921-2021)
FAQs
Who is the richest NFL player in the world?
As of 2023, the highest paid player in NFL history is Cincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow. His new contract is worth USD $275 million over 5 years, with an average annual salary of $55 million. Burrow won the Heisman Trophy in 2019 and 2 years later he led the Bengals to their first Super Bowl appearance in 33 years.
How do NFL players earn their wealth?
NFL players who are under contract with a team receive a base salary for the season, divided into 18 instalments. This covers the 17 games they will play during the season and the single bye week. Players also generally receive a signing bonus when they sign a new contract, and other bonuses may be individually negotiated depending on the player and team involved.
Do endorsements play a significant role in NFL players' earnings?
Business endorsements can bring huge amounts of money to iconic American football figures and NFL superstars. Tom Brady is said to earn around $45 million from endorsements and sponsorships, while Patrick Mahomes receives close to $25 million from deals with Adidas, Oakley, Bose, and State Farm.
Are all the top 25 richest NFL players still actively playing?
The richest NFL players are not all still active in the sport. Tom Brady, for example, earned many tens of millions while he was playing and continues to receive extraordinary fees for endorsements and TV appearances. Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson could be considered one of the richest NFL players ever, although he did not make most of his wealth from playing.
Is there a gender pay gap in the NFL?
Female athletes cannot compete in the NFL, so they are not able to earn the eyewatering sums of the top male football players. Although women’s football leagues do exist in the US, they receive very little funding, and the players must generally finance their travel themselves. Allegations of sex discrimination and gender pay disparities within the NFL administration have been made frequently in recent years.