Football has been around since 1869, and although the first few years saw the sport played more like soccer, it still means there is a long, long history of thousands of players. The NFL was created in 1920, so there are over 100 years’ worth of players to look at when determining the best athlete in the sport! While it can be difficult for fans and experts to agree on the specifics, a few names always stand out when talking about the greatest NFL players of all time. These players have set records and achieved accolades that will continue to be remembered for generations to come.
NFL Top 15 Most Famous Players
When talking about all of NFL football in general, a handful of classic stars always shine. These are the football stars people still talk about through the ages. Give it a few more years, and you might see this list shuffle as more players leave their marks on the game and retire, leaving their legacy on the field to speak for itself.
| Player | Position | Team (Most Known For) | Years Played |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jerry Rice | WR | 49ers | 1985-2004 |
| Tom Brady | QB | Patriots | 2000-2022 |
| Jim Brown | RB | Browns | 1957-1965 |
| Lawrence Taylor | LB | Giants | 1981-1993 |
| Reggie White | DE | Eagles, Packers | 1985-1998, 2000 |
| Peyton Manning | QB | Colts | 1998-2015 |
| Joe Montana | QB | 49ers | 1979-1994 |
| Walter Payton | RB | Bears | 1975-1987 |
| Barry Sanders | RB | Lions | 1989-1998 |
| Johnny Unitas | QB | Colts | 1956-1973 |
| Bruce Smith | DE | Bills | 1985–2003 |
| Ben Roethlisberger | QB | Steelers | 2004–2021 |
| Bruce Matthews | OL | Titans | 1983–2001 |
| Norm Johnson | PK | Seahawks | 1982–1999 |
| Jack Lambert | LB | Pittsburgh Steelers | 1974–1984 |
Tom Brady (career: 2000-2022)
🏟️ Team: New England Patriots
🏈 Position: Quarterback
Even though the last years of his career weren’t spent with the fans who loved him most, the vast majority of Brady’s career will forever be remembered as him being the star quarterback for the New England Patriots.
Generally, there is much debate when ot comes to determining who the greats a re in any sport.
However, Brady is a name that stands alone at the top of anyone's list of famous American football players.
In his lengthy career, Brady helped secure 6 Super Bowl titles for the Pats (and 1 with the Buccaneers), making him the earner of more personal Super Bowl titles than any team in the NFL.
As a 5-time Super Bowl MVP and 3-time NFL MVP, Brady was a consistent positive force on the team and a beast on the field. His lengthy list of records and accolades, including most games played by a QB (335) and most passing touchdowns (649), has secured him a place in the Patriots Hall of Fame.
Tom Brady is generally considered to be the very best NFL player of all time, but it depends on who you ask!
In 2028, he will be eligible for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which he surely will be granted. Without any doubt, Brady will forever be known as one of the top NFL players ever!
Jerry Rice (career: 1985-2005)
🏟️ Team: San Francisco 49ers
🏈 Position: Wide Receiver
Widely regarded as one of the, if not the greatest, wide receivers in NFL history, his career spanned over 20 incredible years. He spent most of his career (1985-2000) with the San Francisco 49ers, with whom he won 3 Super Bowl titles and was named MVP of Super Bowl XXIII.
Over the course of his career, he also amassed an incredible 22,895 receiving yards and 1,549 receptions.
On top of that, 197 receiving touchdowns, just to name a few of the 38 all-time records he set!
In addition to the Super Bowl, he was also selected for the Pro Bowl 13 times.
So, you can't say it's much of a surprise that Rice was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.
His entire career history and accolades make him arguably the best American football player of all time.
Jim Brown (career: 1957-1965)
🏟️ Team: Cleveland Browns
🏈 Position: Running back
Surely one of the most famous NFL players ever, Brown is best known for his talents as a running back and for being a Pro Bowl invitee in every season he played. He was also an actor and civil rights activist!
In just his 9th game ever in the NFL, Jimmy Brown rushed for 237 yards, an NFL record that went unbroken for 14 years, and a rookie record that lasted 40 years!
He was also the first player to reach the 100-rushing-touchdowns milestone, even though seasons at that time were only 14 games instead of 16.
At the end of his career, he held the NFL record for rushing yards per game at 104.3 y/g and a total of 12,312 yards.
Despite never having won a Super Bowl, his individual achievements earned him a place among NFL legends, and he was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 1971.
Lawrence Taylor (career: 1981-1993)
🏟️ Team: New York Giants
🏈 Position: Linebacker
A revolutionary in the linebacker role, Taylor was best known for his intense combination of speed and strength that helped him pull off his innovative defensive game plans.
His most notable career statistics include 1,088 tackles, 132.5 sacks, two Super Bowl wins, an NFL MVP award, and three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards.
Although his personal life during and after his football career has been rocky, he is still one of the most famous football players ever.
He was deservingly accepted into the Hall of Fame in 1999, a milestone few get to reach.
In 2024, the highest-paid football player is Deshaun Watson who is guaranteed $230 million over his contract. The player who earned to most in their career overall was Aaron Rodgers, with total earnings of over $380 million.
Walter Payton (career: 1975-1987)
🏟️ Team: Chicago Bears
🏈 Position: Running back
Another player with a great balance of power and agility, “Sweetness” was a remarkable running back for the Bears in the 70s and 80s. He was a generational player on one of the best NFL teams of all time.
A prolific rusher, he set multiple records upon retirement, like most rush attempts (3,838), most rush yards (16,726), and most yards from scrimmage (21,264).
He earned many titles in his career, including NFL MVP, NFL Offensive Player of the Year, NFL Man of the Year, and a Super Bowl championship.
His legacy and character are so strong that in 2010, Pro Football Focus founder Neil Hornsby declared Payton the greatest player in NFL history. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993.
Peyton Manning (career: 1998-2015)
🏟️ Team: Denver Broncos
🏈 Position: Quarterback
Manning helped transform the Colts from a struggling franchise into a strong presence in the NFL's top-performing teams category. His family’s legacy may have helped prepare him for the game more than other players, but he certainly carved out his own brand of greatness while playing as one of the best quarterbacks ever seen.
He is still among the most popular football players because of his success and his personality.
During his career, he managed to secure 71,940 passing yards, 539 passing touchdowns, and five MVP awards (a record) in addition to leading the Colts to 8 division titles and a Super Bowl win (the first in over three decades).
After transferring to the Broncos, he won another Super Bowl championship, making him the only starting QB to win with more than one team.
Accomplishing what just about every player out there dream of, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2021.
Joe Montana (career: 1979-1994)
🏟️ Team: San Francisco 49ers
🏈 Position: Quarterback
With 40,551 passing yards, 273 passing touchdowns, and four Super Bowl titles accumulated during his career, “Cool Joe” stands firmly as one of the best football players in NFL history.
Everyone wants to be a quarterback when they start out playing American football.
Monatana is one of the names that we can thank for this, as he's one of the most talented players to play the position.
The incredible QB also holds the Super Bowl record for most intercepted passes (122 in four games) and was the first three-time Super Bowl MVP.
One of his biggest career highlights that any football fan alive at the time can surely recall was during Super Bowl XXIII.
When he managed to throw the ball to Dwight Clark in an incredible play that secured the game-winning touchdown, now known as “The Catch.” With plays like this, it's no wonder that he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000.
In each game, there are 22 players on the field: 11 offensive and 11 defensive.
The main available positions are: Center (C), Offensive Guard (OG), Offensive Tackle (OT), Quarterback (QB), Running Back (RB), Halfback (HB), Fullback (FB), Wide Receiver (WR), Tight End (TE), Defensive Tackle (DT), Nose Tackle (NT), Defensive End (DE), Lineback (LB), Defensive Backs (DB), Kicker (K), Punter (P).
Reggie White (career: 1984-1998, 2000)
🏟️ Team: Philadelphia Eagles
🏈 Position: Defensive end
The “Minister of Defense” was a pervading defensive end on the field. In his career, he racked up accolades and achievements like 13 consecutive Pro Bowl selections a record 198 career sacks, one Super Bowl win, and 1,111 tackles.
He was also named NFL Defensive Player of the Year twice, named to the NFL's All-Decade Teams of the 1980 and 1990s, was included in the 75th Anniversary Team, and voted first-team All-Pro 10 times.
As you might have guessed from all that he managed to accomplish over the course of his career, he too was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006.
Barry Sanders (career: 1989-1998)
🏟️ Team: Detroit Lions
🏈 Position: Running back
Quick on his feet and hard to catch, Sanders was a highly anticipated NFL addition after his amazing college football career at Oklahoma State, where he completed what is likely the greatest individual season by a college running back in history.
He racked up many achievements over the course of his pro career, including NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, two times NFL Offensive Player of the Year, NFL MVP, and 10 Pro-Bowl appearances.
Having such a full trophy cabinet almost takes away from the significance of each of these accomplishments.
Every kid who starts out playing American football does so with the dream of making it to the league, never mind having such a decorated career once they get there.
After retirement, he was named the most elusive runner in NFL history and the best football player to have ever appeared in a Super Bowl. He followed some of the elite names on our list, also earning his spot in the Hall of Fame back in 2004.
Johnny Unitas (career: 1955-1973)
🏟️ Team: Los Angeles Chargers
🏈 Position: Quarterback
Arguably the best football player in the QB position by some, “Johnny U” and his Golden Arm set new expectations for quarterbacks in the NFL.
Three-time NFL MVP and NFL champion, five-time First Team All-Pro, and 10-time Pro Bowl achiever, his rookie years were a little rough around the edges.
But once he found his stride, Unitas was a driving force in the making of a good game.
In 1958, he was part of “The Greatest Game Ever Played,” passing for 2,007 yards and 19 touchdowns. He was the first quarterback to throw for more than 40,000 yards even though there were only 12 or 14 games per season at the time. And his 47-game streak of consecutively making touchdowns was a record that held for 52 years. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979.
Don Hutson (career: 1935-1945)
🏟️ Team: Green Bay Packers
🏈 Position: Wide Receiver
Don Hutson wasn’t just ahead of his time—he redefined what it meant to be a receiver in professional football.
At a time when the passing game was a secondary element, Hutson elevated it to an art form.
Known then as an "end," Hutson's route running, speed, and football intelligence revolutionized the position.
He led the league in receptions eight times, receiving yards seven times, and touchdowns nine times. In 1942 alone, he posted 1,211 yards and 17 touchdowns—in just 11 games—a stat line nearly inconceivable for the era. A two-time NFL MVP, he helped lead the Green Bay Packers to three championships.
In 2024, there are 1,696 active NFL players. 1,503 of them began their NFL career by being drafted from their college program!
Overall, there have been approximately 27,000 NFL players!
When Hutson retired, he owned virtually every major receiving record. His 99 touchdown receptions still rank among the NFL’s all-time leaders, even though he last played in 1945. Hutson was the league’s first true receiving superstar and one of its earliest transcendent talents to have laced up their boots.
Tony Gonzalez (career: 1997–2013)
🏟️ Team: Kansas City Chiefs / Atlanta Falcons
🏈 Position: Tight End
No tight end in NFL history combined consistency, durability, and dominance quite like Tony Gonzalez. Over his 17-year career, mostly spent with the Kansas City Chiefs and later the Atlanta Falcons, Gonzalez redefined the role of the tight end.
If you've ever put any hours into playing Madden, you've likely created a player.
If you were to turn all of the sliders right up, you'd be somewhere close to the Gonzalez archetype.
He was as much a receiver as he was a blocker, and his numbers rival those of the league’s top wideouts.
Gonzalez ranks third all-time in receptions (1,325), sixth in receiving yards (15,127), and eighth in receiving touchdowns (111).
His 14 Pro Bowl selections—tied for the most in NFL history—are a testament to his sustained excellence. Gonzalez was a matchup nightmare, too big for defensive backs and too agile for linebackers. Beyond the stats, his leadership and durability—missing just two games in 17 seasons—cemented his status as not just a great tight end, but one of the most reliable offensive players ever.
Gale Sayers (career: 1965–1971)
🏟️ Team: Chicago Bears
🏈 Position: Running Back
Though his NFL career lasted just 68 games, Gale Sayers left a permanent mark on the game. Known as “The Kansas Comet,” Sayers was a breathtaking blend of agility, acceleration, and vision.
We challenge you to try to accomplish all that he did even inside a video game.
It's clear that Sayers made the NFL his own game, putting together some insane numbers.
He totaled 9,435 all-purpose yards and 56 touchdowns, despite repeated knee injuries that eventually cut his career short.
His rookie season in 1965 remains legendary: 22 touchdowns, including an NFL-record six in a single game against the 49ers.
As a return man, he was equally electrifying, retiring as the league’s all-time leader in kickoff return yards. Sayers’ combination of elegance and explosion has rarely been seen since. His impact was so profound that he was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1977, the youngest ever at that time. For a generation of fans, he was football poetry in motion.
Rod Woodson (career: 1987–2003)
🏟️ Team: Pittsburgh Steelers / Baltimore Ravens / Oakland Raiders
🏈 Position: Defensive Back
Rod Woodson’s versatility and athleticism made him one of the most complete defensive backs in NFL history. Over a 17-year career, he excelled as both a cornerback and safety, earning 11 Pro Bowl nods and a Defensive Player of the Year award in 1993.
Woodson intercepted 71 passes—the third-most in league history, and returned 12 for touchdowns, showcasing his explosiveness and awareness.
Remarkably, he returned from a torn ACL to play in the Super Bowl with the Steelers in the same season, an unprecedented feat at the time.
Later, he played a key role in the Baltimore Ravens' historically dominant 2000 defense that carried them to a Super Bowl title.
Even in his final years, Woodson remained elite, leading the league in interceptions at age 37. His durability, intelligence, and ability to adapt to any defensive scheme solidified his place among the game's greatest defenders.
Alan Page (career: 1967–1981)
🏟️ Team: Minnesota Vikings / Chicago Bears
🏈 Position: Defensive Tackle
Alan Page wasn’t just a football force—he was a game-changer. A cornerstone of the Minnesota Vikings' fearsome “Purple People Eaters” defensive line, Page combined quickness, strength, and intelligence to dominate opposing offensive lines.
Officially credited with 148.5 career sacks, he was relentless in the trenches, often drawing double teams and still making plays.
In 1971, he became the first defensive player to win NFL MVP—an honor that remains rare for defenders.
Page was a nine-time Pro Bowler and helped the Vikings reach four Super Bowls, winning the 1969 NFL Championship. He later played three productive seasons with the Chicago Bears. Off the field, Page’s legacy is just as profound: he earned a law degree during his playing career and later became a Minnesota Supreme Court justice, embodying excellence in every field he entered.
NFL Top 100 in 2025: The Top 15 to Look Out For
Near the beginning of the preseason, current NFL players vote amongst themselves to decide who the Top 100 NFL best players for the upcoming season are. 2025 is the 15th year of this tradition. Players look at fellow players’ track records, current standing, and potential. The top 15 football players' names on the list of 100 are:
| Rank | Player | Team | Position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tyreek Hill | Dolphins | WR |
| 2 | Lamar Jackson | Ravens | QB |
| 3 | Christian McCaffrey | 49ers | RB |
| 4 | Patrick Mahomes | Chiefs | QB |
| 5 | Myles Garrett | Browns | EDGE |
| 6 | Chris Jones | Chiefs | DL |
| 7 | Trent Williams | 49ers | OT |
| 8 | T.J. Watt | Steelers | EDGE |
| 9 | Travis Kelce | Chiefs | TE |
| 10 | Maxx Crosby | Raiders | EDGE |
| 11 | Fred Warner | 49ers | LB |
| 12 | Josh Allen | Bills | QB |
| 13 | CeeDee Lamb | Cowboys | WR |
| 14 | George Kittle | 49ers | TE |
| 15 | Jalen Hurts | Eagles | QB |
29-year-old Patrick Mahomes currently stands as the most promising player for the upcoming 2025 season. He continues to demonstrate elite quarterback play, leading the Chiefs deep into the playoffs. With him tossing the rock, there's really no limit to what the Kansas City Chiefs can achieve this season.
While always up for debate, Patrick Mahomes, the quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefsled is considered to be the best. He led the Chiefs to their third championship in five seasons, throwing for 4,183 yards and 27 touchdowns in 16 regular-season games. His leadership and performance have solidified his status as one of the game’s all-time greats.
Top Honorable Mentions
There are so many incredible players throughout NFL history that it’s hard to talk about them all in a short and simple article! While we can’t go into detail, we can acknowledge a handful more of the most memorable and accomplished NFL players in history.
- Dick Butkus
- Dan Marino
- Ray Lewis
- Aaron Donald
- Joe Greene
- Randy Moss
- John Elway
- Emmitt Smith
- Anthony Munoz
- Jim Brown
While it may be subjectively impossible to name who is the best football player ever with complete consensus, the players listed here are undoubtedly among the best of the best. Football wouldn’t be what it is today without many of them. Their skill and drive helped shape rules and regulations, spurred on teammates even years after retirement, and have brought fans together for better and for worse.
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