Who Are The NFL GOATS?
There have been a lot of greats in the NFL. Do you think you can name the 43 greatest football players in the history of the sport? Give it a try. See how it checks out with the list below.
Jim Thorpe
For eight years beginning in 1920, Jim Thorpe was running back for several NFL teams. You may be surprised to learn that he was also a Pro Sports athlete in more than just football. He played pro baseball and basketball and won medals in the 1912 Olympic decathlon and pentathlon.
Mike Singletary
Linebacker Mike Singletary spent his entire 11-year career with the Chicago Bears. Part of the well-fortified and terrifying 1980s defense known as the Monsters of the Midway, Singletary’s power earned him the First-Team All-Pro eight times. He was team captain for 10 years and helped Chicago to win Superbowl XX in 1986.
John Hannah
Before the New England Patriots had Tom Brady, they boasted about guard John Hannah. In 1981, Sports Illustrated christened him lineman GOAT. It was about a decade later that he slid into second place.
Ray Nitschke
Even if you’re not a Green Bay Packers fan, you’ll likely know the name Ray Nitschke. This Hall of Fame linebacker played defense for famed Vince Lombardi and led the Packers to victory in the first two Super Bowls in history (1966 and 1967).
Unknown Author, Wikimedia Commons
Eric Dickerson
Eric Dickerson spent 10 years in the NFL as a running back for the Los Angeles Rams, the Indianapolis Colts, the Los Angeles Raiders, and the Atlanta Falcons. His rushing yards are what earned him the most notability—in only 14 games in his rookie year, he came very close to destroying the 2,000 rushing-yard gauge. In his entire career, he accumulated an incredible 13,000 rushing yards.
Cohen A. Young, Wikimedia Commons
Mel Blount
If you know about the Steel Curtain Steelers from the 1970s then you’ll have heard of Mel Blount. A Hall of Famer and four-time Super Bowl Champion, Blount was “one of the most feared defensive backs in the game”.
Rod Woodson
Defensive back Rod Woodson was six feet tall, weighed 205 pounds, and was “built like a tank”. Active from 1987 until 2003, Woodson was an 11-time Pro Bowler and rates third overall in interceptions— he managed 71 one of them in his career.
Thomson200, CC0, Wikimedia Commons
Tony Gonzalez
Although Tony Gonzales retired with not a single Super Bowl win or even an appearance, he remains one of the greatest tight ends in the history of NFL. Between 1997 and 2013, he wore jerseys for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Atlanta Falcons. He has his name all over the positional all-time record for career receiving with 15,127 yards. He also holds third place for receptions with 1,325.
Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
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Gino Marchetti
In 1972, Gino Marchetti was inducted into the Hall of Fame and was voted the league’s all-time greatest defensive end. It’s easy to see why with two Super Bowls, 11 Pro Bowls, and nine times of being a First-Team All-Pro on his resume. Not only was he an amazing athlete, but he enlisted in WWII when he was only 17 years old. He claims it gave him the discipline and leadership he needed both on and off the football field.
OJ Simpson
His name may ring a bell for reasons other than football but that doesn’t stop OJ Simpson from being one of the greatest running backs of all time. Between 1969 and 1979, Simpson received handoffs for the Buffalo Bills and the San Francisco 49ers. In 1985, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame—and has a long list of accomplishments including MVP, AFL All-Star, and being voted into the Pro Bowl five times.
Don Cormier, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Dick Lane
“Explosion” and “tackling” are what cornerback Dick Lane was best revered for. From 1952 until 1965, Lane played for the Los Angeles Rams, the Chicago Cardinals, and the Detroit Lions. His nickname, “Night Train”, has a few different stories behind it. One is due to his “ferocious hits” while another claims he despised flying and instead chose to ride late-night trains to the games. Either way, he boasts 68 picks in 13 years and was given an honored spot in the Hall of Fame in 1974.
Detroit Lions NFL, Wikimedia Commons
Bob Lilly
Defensive Tackle Bob Lilly was famous for many things—one being the fact that he played 196 consecutive games for the Dallas Cowboys. An 11-time Pro-Bowler, Lilly was considered such a threat that he was often double- and even triple-teamed.
Unknown Artist, Wikimedia Commons
Sammy Baugh
Quarterback for the Washington Redskins, Sammy Baugh spent 15 years playing in the NFL before Super Bowls were even invented. Twice named NFL’s Player of the Year, his accuracy was so exceptional that he led the league eight times in completion percentage.
Harris & Ewing, Wikimedia Commons
Ed Reed
For 11 years, Ed Reed played safety for the Baltimore Ravens, the New York Jets, and the Houston Texans. Referred to as a “ball hawk”, he was undoubtedly one of the best and was selected to nine total Pro Bowls. As well as being the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2004, he helped the Ravens bring home the Super Bowl in 2013. He can also add to this resume his role in 2016 with the Buffalo Bills as assistant defensive backs coach.
Keith Allison, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Drew Brees
Sporting the #9 jersey, quarterback Drew Bees is considered “the greatest and most singular New Orleans Saint of all time”. Besides being a Super Bowl Champion and MVP, he lays claim to the all-time record for season passing yards crowns (seven) and passing touchdowns (four).
Keith Allison, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Don Hutson
Historians of the sport will recognize Green Bay Packer Don Hutson. Three-time NFL Champion and two-time MVP, Hutson was referred to as the “Alabama Antelope” when he played wide receiver from 1935-1945. A lot of changes may have taken place in the world of football since then, but Hutson remains one of the greats.
Unknown Artist, Wikimedia Commons
Bruce Smith
Even with four Super Bowls behind him and not one single ring to show for it, Bruce Smith’s football career remains impressive. For almost two decades he attacked passers and halted offensive runs for the Buffalo Bills and the team now called the Washington Commanders. He had an almost unbelievable number of sacks—200.
Alan Page
One of the only defensive players to win MVP, Ohio native Alan Page spent 14 years as defensive tackle. First wearing a Minnesota Vikings jersey before being traded to the Chicago Bears, Page played in over 200 consecutive games and was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1988. As equally impressive as his football career is the fact that after he retired from the field, he went on to serve on the Minnesota Supreme Court for 22 years.
Jack Lambert
Linebacker Jack Lambert is known on the field for being part of Pittsburgh’s “Steel Curtain” defense and helping them win the Super Bowl four times. What also comes to mind for some is his toothless grin, having a football field in Ohio named after him, commentating in later years on the NFL Network, and in initially being considered too small at 6’4” and 220 pounds to play the linebacker position. Despite his size, he was on the First-Team All-Pro nine times and won the Defensive Rookie of the Year in 1974.
Crestwood High School, Wikimedia Commons
Randy Moss
In his 14-year career, Randy Moss played wide receiver for several teams, including the Minnesota Vikings, the Oakland Raiders, the New England Patriots, the Tennessee Titans, and the San Francisco 49ers. Known for being the best pass catcher, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame six years after his retirement in 2018.
Unknown Artist, Wikimedia Commons
Brett Favre
Not only is he a three-time MVP but Brett Favre’s biggest claim to fame is the fact that he was the first quarterback to beat all 32 teams. The year he helped the Green Bay Packers score a Super Bowl is often forgotten as it slides right in between the dynasties of the Dallas Cowboys and the Denver Broncos. Still, his 20-year career was impressive.
MN National Guard, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Gale Sayers
Chicago Bears fans hold the name of running back, halfback, and kick returner Gale Sayers high. His six-year career may not be long, but his list of achievements is, including being First-Team All-Pro five times. At age 34, he was the youngest player ever to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Unknown Artist, Wikimedia Commons
Otto Graham
Just after WWII, Otto Graham began his quarterback career with the Cleveland Browns. Originally sporting jersey #60, Graham chose #14 when the NFL ruled in 1952 that offensive linemen had to wear numbers 50–79. Graham’s list of accomplishments is lengthy, and it’s often said he “was the first great quarterback, period”.
Los Angeles Daily News, Wikimedia Commons
Deacon Jones
Defensive end Deacon Jones was amazing on the field. In 13 years with the Los Angeles Rams, the San Diego Chargers, and the team previously called the Washington Redskins, Jones was twice named Defensive Player of the Year. He’s also credited with being the person to invent and first use the term “sack”: “You take all the offensive linemen and put them in a burlap bag, and then you take a baseball bat and beat on the bag. You're sacking them, you're bagging them. And that's what you're doing with a quarterback”.
Unknown Artist, Wikimedia Commons
Anthony Munoz
Anthony Munoz is a name diehard football fans may recognize. From 1980 until 1992, left tackle Munoz was extraordinary at protecting the quarterback. He ended up in the Hall of Fame when neither of his Cincinnati Bengals quarterbacks did.
Dan Marino
Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino was “the eminent stat gobbler of his time”. Along with three Super Bowl rings, he holds over 40 records and was the first quarterback to upend both the 50,000 and 60,000 passing yard threshold, as well as the 400-touchdown-pass mark.
Deion Sanders
Cornerback Deion Sanders is “probably the greatest journeyman in NFL history”. Two-time Super Bowl Champion, Hall of Famer, and six-time First-Team All-Pro are among his many football accomplishments. Sanders was also a pro baseball player—he’s the only person to play in both a Super Bowl and a World Series.
Erik Drost, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Barry Sanders
Despite the last name, Barry Sanders is no relation to footballer Deion Sanders. Running back Barry Sanders spent a decade proving his speed, footwork, and quickness with the Detroit Lions. He’s sometimes been called “the greatest player to never play in the Super Bowl”.
Daniel Hartwig, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Ray Lewis
Between 1996 and 2012, Linebacker Ray Lewis gave the best of himself to the Baltimore Ravens—and made sure they won two Super Bowls. He went to 13 Pro Bowls, can call himself a Hall of Famer, and was twice voted Defensive Player of the Year. Some call him “the greatest of this era”.
Andy, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Dick Butkus
Considering he only played in the NFL for eight years, Chicago Bear linebacker Dick Butkus certainly left his mark. His accolades include two times Defensive Player of the Year, six times First-Team All-Pro, and an incredible eight Pro Bowls. “He was big, he was mean, he was nasty!”
Alan Light, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
John Elway
The Denver Broncos made it to five Super Bowls with quarterback John Elway at the helm. Eyeing up the stats, you see he was the second most prolific passer in NFL history and is one of only two players who attained a rushing touchdown in four different Super Bowls. Not only did Elway spend his entire 16-year career with the Broncos but was eventually promoted to the position of general manager.
All-Pro Reels, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Ronnie Lott
From 1981 until 1994, Ronnie Lott was a safety for the San Francisco 49ers, the Los Angeles Raiders, and the New York Jets. Although he was a four-time Super Bowl Champion and Hall of Fame inductee, many claim his true genius was in his leadership abilities.
Joe Green
“Mean” Joe Green is how most know him. A member of Pittsburgh’s “Steel Curtain” Steelers, defensive tackle Green helped the Steelers get to four Super Bowls in a six-year span. He more than earned his 10 Pro Bowls, two Defensive Player of the Year awards, and status as the coveted Man of the Year.
The Steelers NFL, Wikimedia Commons
Peyton Manning
In the world of football, Peyton Manning is a big deal. 5,000 and 55 touchdowns in a single season are only a fraction of what he did with his amazing skills. Often referred to for “his huge arm (and bigger forehead)”, Manning won two Super Bowls, was MVP five times, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2021.
Jeffrey Beall, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Johnny Unitas
Quarterback Johnny Unitas has a story similar to that of Tom Brady—only half a century earlier. Drafted in the ninth round by Pittsburgh, Unitas was released before the season even began. Picked up last-minute by the Baltimore Colts, Unitas quickly grabbed the nickname “Golden Arm”. Up until 2012 when Drew Brees broke his streak, Unitas held the NFL record of 47 straight games with a touchdown pass.
Reggie White
Referred to as “the Minister of Defense”, Super Bowl Champion Reggie White spent 16 seasons viciously attacking passers and stopping offensive runs. Despite an ongoing ankle injury and the rough reality of the defensive end position, White only missed two All-Pro and Pro Bowl invites in his entire career.
Walter Payton
Football fans argue that running back Walter Payton was the best NFL player of all time and that he’s denied the fame he deserves due to the fact that he wasn’t a quarterback. For 10 of his 13 seasons, Payton accomplished the amazing feat of rushing at least 1,200 yards per season. He helped the Chicago Bears slam New England in the 1996 Super Bowl with a score of 46 to 10.
Joe Montana
Known in the media as “Joe Cool”, quarterback Joe Montana is one of the greatest footballers in the history of the NFL. This Hall of Famer has an unbelievable number of accolades including four Super Bowl wins, three Super Bowl MVPs, and being an eight-time Pro Bowler. You can’t deny that this Pennsylvania native has talent—even if you aren’t a fan of the two teams he played for, the San Francisco 49ers and the Kansas City Chiefs.
Jim Brown
For nine seasons, Jim Brown was the Cleveland Browns go-to running back. His average rushing yards were 104.3 per game and he held records for 106 touchdowns and for carrying the ball 2,359 times for 12,312 rushing yards. When discussing Brown, “We are dealing with absolutely undisputed top-of-the-mountain prestige”. Brown was more than a football player—he graced the screen as an actor and was one of the only African American athletes to speak out in the 1950s about racial issues.
Malcolm W. Emmons, Wikimedia Commons
Lawrence Taylor
The greatest NFL football players list would be remiss without Lawrence Taylor. Linebacker for the New York Giants between 1981 and 1993, he is often touted as “the greatest defensive player in the history of the NFL”. MVP and two-time Super Bowl Champion, Taylor was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1999. Known as LT, Taylor was a huge part of the Giants' defense, called the Big Blue Wrecking Crew.
sghmom56, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Jerry Rice
Want to name your kid after a famous footballer? Jerry Rice would do the trick. Wide receiver Rice spent 20 years in the NFL and in that time was the all-time leader in touchdowns (208), receiving touchdowns (197), receptions (1,549), and consecutive 1+ reception games (274). He was a powerhouse. Despite being released from the San Fransisco 49ers in 2001 after a devastating knee injury, he was picked up by the Los Angeles Raiders and pushed them into Super Bowl XXXVII.
Aaron Rodgers
You’ll still see Aaron Rodgers on the field, maintaining his all-time season passer rating as well as being the quarterback with the lowest percentage of interceptions. Along with his Super Bowl bling, he was named MVP in the 2010 Super Bowl that he helped the Green Bay Packers win. Off the field, he’s known for family controversies, questioning the Covid-19 vaccine, denying 9/11, feuding with Jimmy Kimmel, and was even rumored to be RFK’s presidential running mate.
Mike Morbeck, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Tom Brady
After 20 seasons as a New England Patriot and then three as a Tampa Bay Buccaneer, quarterback Tom Brady finally hung up his helmet for good. There’s no topping Brady’s long list of accomplishments, including seven Super Bowl victories and five Super Bowl MVPs. Selected 199th in the 2000 NFL draft, Brady more than lived up to the quote that he now claims wasn’t exactly what he recalls saying: “I’m the greatest decision this organization has ever made”.
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