The 10 Best NFL Players Ever
There have been hundreds of players that have made their way through the NFL that many believed were once-in-a-lifetime players.
These were players that could throw better, run better, tackle stronger, and read the game like no other.
However, there is a small group of players who are widely recognized as people who have left their mark on the sport forever. If you looked at the best online sportsbook when these guys played, you would always bet on them to do the extraordinary.
Jerry Rice
Easily one of the best, and in many eyes, the best wide receiver to ever play the game, Jerry Rice is a name still praised in the world of football. Spending most of his career with the 49ers, Rice also spent time at the Raiders, Seahawks, and Broncos.
He was a 13x Pro Bowler, a career leader in touchdowns and receptions, a 3x Super Bowl champion, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010.
Walter Payton
In Payton’s 12-year career with the Bears, he made a name for himself as the most feared running back in the game. It doesn’t matter who you were if Sweetness got his hands on the ball, don’t even bother trying to stop him.
He finished his career with close to 17,000 rushing yards, 110 rushing TDs, and over 4,500 receiving yards. The Super Bowl champion was also named the greatest Bear of all time.
Reggie White
The Minister of Defense struck fear into every offense that stood opposite him; Reggie White was the definition of the ultimate D-line player. The 300lb monster even managed to score two touchdowns during his time in the league.
He finished his career with 1,112 tackles, 198.0 sacks, a Super Bowl ring, and too many records to list, including the awe-inspiring record of having the most consecutive seasons with 10+ sacks; he had 9.
Peyton Manning
Peyton Manning is often forgotten about due to how successful Tom Brady has been at QB; however, his records speak volumes. Spending his career at the Colts and Broncos, Manning would finish his career with 6,125 completions and a 96.5 passer rating.
His career records are mind-blowing, to say the least, and include two Super Bowl rings, 5 MVP awards, 14 Pro Bowl appearances, and he holds the record for the most passing TDs in a single season with 55.
Aaron Donald
A surprise entry on this list, the current Rams defensive tackle may not be as experienced as the other players on this list, but he is certainly as good. With 442 tackles and 98.0 sacks so far in his career, Aaron Donald is well on his way to being one of the greatest ever.
Jim Brown
If you don’t think Walter Payton is the best RB ever, you probably believe Jim Brown is. During his short, 8-year career with the Browns, Jim earned himself a Super Bowl ring and was a 3-time MVP.
He finished his devastating career with 12,312 rushing yards and 106 rushing touchdowns and was part of the NFL 50th, 75th, and 100th Anniversary All-Time team.
Dick Butkus
Butkus is widely regarded as the gold standard of linebackers. His 8-year career with the Bears never led him to a Super Bowl ring, but he did earn himself 5x All-Pro spots, was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year twice, and was an 8x Pro Bowler.
Ray Lewis
There have been very few, if any, players who have been able to match the intensity of Ray Lewis. The 240lb middle linebacker is arguably the best Raven ever, with his record of most career solo tackles (1,568) showing his defensive abilities.
Ray Lewis is the epitome of passion and leadership, and when he stepped on the field with his signature entrance, if you weren’t at the top of your game, Lewis would flatten you.
Larry Fitzgerald
Spending his 16-year-long career at the Cardinals, Larry Fitzgerald may not have a Super Bowl ring to his name, but he is arguably one of the most gifted wide receivers the NFL has ever seen; there wasn’t a single ball Fitzgerald couldn’t catch.
He may not have been the biggest or fastest in every game, but Fitz proved that technical ability trumped physical ability every day of the week. The 11x Pro Bowler finished out his playing time with almost 17,500 receiving yards and 121 receiving touchdowns.
Tom Brady
Finally, the man that needs no introduction. Tom Brady is the greatest QB and NFL player of all time; he is a 7x Super Bowl winner, a 5x Super Bowl MVP, and holds several individual records, including most career passing touchdowns and most career quarterback wins.
There isn’t much to say about Tom Brady that hasn’t been said before, but when he eventually retires, he will be known as the greatest NFL player ever and one of the greatest athletes of all time.