Americans’ Favorite Football Players

Over a hundred years ago, the intense, exciting, and favored sport of football officially became a professional league. Once known as the American Professional Football Association (APFA), the National Football League (NFL) is a unique collection of incredible skill, diversity, and influence. Come football season, millions of viewers look forward to switching on their television sets to cheer on their favorite teams and players, connect with friends, and witness a treasured American sport continue to bring excitement. Americans’ favorite football players change each season as more talent arises, and we witness intense showdowns for the ultimate title of the top team.

With the popularity of football in America (ranking as the most-watched sport), it’s safe to assume that even most football novices have heard the names of popular players like Tom Brady, Walter Payton, and Jerry Rice. While 1,696 active players make up the NFL roster across 32 teams, specific talented individuals excel over and over on the field. These players give it their all when they walk out onto the field, taking their teams to championship levels while also bringing home awards, trophies, and even Super Bowl rings.

Every fan has reasons for choosing their favorite players; maybe these players took their teams all the way, continuously improved while bringing everything they have to every game, or perhaps they show incredible sportsmanship. Whatever the reason, this list takes a closer look at Americans’ favorite football players. (Read put list of the 20 best athletes ever to play football.)

To help us put together a list of Americans’ favorite football players, 24/7 Tempo consulted YouGov for current statistics based on each player’s favorable opinions. The stats include their fame and popularity scores. While there is so much talent among NFL players, there are a select few that stand out time and time again.

50. J.K. Dobbins

• Team: Played for the Baltimore Ravens in 2023, Now he is on the Los Angeles Chargers
• Position: Running back
• Fame: 48%
• Popularity: 31%

49. Kenny Pickett

• Team: Played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, now he is on the Philadelphia Eagles
• Position: Quarterback
• Fame: 50%
• Popularity: 31%

48. Justin Herbert

• Team: Los Angeles Chargers
• Position: Quarterback
• Fame: 52%
• Popularity: 32%

47. Carson Wentz

• Team: Played for the Los Angeles Rams in 2023, Now he is on the Kansas City Chiefs
• Position: Quarterback
• Fame: 52%
• Popularity: 32%

46. Julio Jones

• Team: Philadelphia Eagles
• Position: Wide receiver
• Fame: 52%
• Popularity: 32%

45. Jordan Love

• Team: Green Bay Packers
• Position: Quarterback
• Fame: 54%
• Popularity: 32%

44. Justin Fields

• Team: Played for the Chicago Bears in 2023, Now he is on the Pittsburgh Steelers
• Position: Quarterback
• Fame: 52%
• Popularity: 32%

43. T.Y. Hilton

• Team: Free agent, last played for the Dallas Cowboys (He started with the Colts)
• Position: Wide receiver
• Fame: 47%
• Popularity: 32%

42. D’Andre Swift

• Team: Chicago Bears
• Position: Running back
• Fame: 50%
• Popularity: 32%

41. Jonathan Taylor

• Team: Indianapolis Colts
• Position: Running back
• Fame: 50%
• Popularity: 32%

40. Chase Young

• Team: New Orleans Saints
• Position: Defensive end
• Fame: 56%
• Popularity: 32%

39. JuJu Smith-Schuster

• Team: New England Patriots
• Position: Wide receiver
• Fame: 52%
• Popularity: 32%

38. Ezekiel Elliott

• Team: Dallas Cowboys
• Position: Running back
• Fame: 59%
• Popularity: 33%

37. Deshaun Watson

• Team: Cleveland Browns
• Position: Quarterback
• Fame: 50%
• Popularity: 33%

36. Nick Foles

• Team: Free agent, last played for the Indianapolis Colts
• Position: Quarterback
• Fame: 57%
• Popularity: 33%

35. Justin Jefferson

• Team: Minnesota Vikings
• Position: Wide receiver
• Fame: 52%
• Popularity: 33%

34. Ryan Tannehill

• Team: Now a free agent, last played for the Tennessee Titans
• Position: Quarterback
• Fame: 54%
• Popularity: 33%

33. Dak Prescott

• Team: Dallas Cowboys
• Position: Quarterback
• Fame: 58%
• Popularity: 33%

32. Trevon Diggs

• Team: Dallas Cowboys
• Position: Cornerback
• Fame: 58%
• Popularity: 33%

31. Andrew Luck

• Team: Retired after playing for the Indianapolis Colts (7 seasons)
• Position: Quarterback
• Fame: 56%
• Popularity: 33%

30. Jared Goff

• Team: Detroit Lions
• Position: Quarterback
• Fame: 52%
• Popularity: 34%

29. CJ Stroud

• Team: Houston Texans
• Position: Quarterback
• Fame: 51%
• Popularity:  34%

28. Alvin Kamara

• Team: New Orleans Saints
• Position: Running back
• Fame: 51%
• Popularity: 34%

27. CeeDee Lamb

• Team: Dallas Cowboys
• Position: Wide receiver
• Fame: 51%
• Popularity: 34%

26. DeAndre Hopkins

• Team: Tennessee Titans
• Position: Wide receiver
• Fame: 55%
• Popularity: 34%

25. Tua Tagovailoa

• Team: Miami Dolphins
• Position: Quarterback
• Fame: 54%
• Popularity: 34%

24. Nick Bosa

• Team: San Francisco 49ers
• Position: Defensive end
• Fame: 55%
• Popularity: 35%

23. Christian McCaffrey

• Team: San Francisco 49ers
• Position: Running back
• Fame: 54%
• Popularity: 35%

22. Michael Thomas

• Team: New Orleans Saints
• Position: Wide receiver
• Fame: 50%
• Popularity: 35%

21. Trevor Lawrence

• Team: Jacksonville Jaguars
• Position: Quarterback
• Fame: 59%
• Popularity: 35%

20. Matthew Stafford

• Team: Los Angeles Rams
• Position: Quarterback
• Fame: 55%
• Popularity: 35%

19. Von Miller

• Team: Buffalo Bills
• Position: Linebacker
• Fame: 56%
• Popularity: 35%

18. Saquon Barkley

• Team: Played for Giants in 2023, Now he is on the Philadelphia Eagles
• Position: Running back
• Fame: 56%
• Popularity: 36%

17. Cam Newton

• Team: Retired, played for the Carolina Panthers
• Position: Quarterback
• Fame: 71%
• Popularity: 36%

16. Kirk Cousins

• Team: Played for the Minnesota Vikings in 2023, Now he is on the Atlanta Falcons
• Position: Quarterback
• Fame: 61%
• Popularity: 36%

15. Baker Mayfield

• Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Position: Quarterback
• Fame: 58%
• Popularity: 37%

14. Adrian Peterson

• Team: Retired, last played for the Seattle Seahawks
• Position: Running back
• Fame: 57%
• Popularity: 37%

13. Derek Carr

• Team: New Orleans Saints
• Position: Quarterback
• Fame: 57%
• Popularity: 37%

12. Odell Beckham Jr.

• Team: Played for the Baltimore Ravens in 2023, now he is on the Miami Dolphins
• Position: Wide receiver
• Fame: 72%
• Popularity: 37%

11. Joe Burrow

• Team: Cincinnati Bengals
• Position: Quarterback
• Fame: 62%
• Popularity: 37%

10. Amari Cooper

• Team: Cleveland Browns
• Position: Wide receiver
• Fame: 59%
• Popularity: 38%

9. Matt Ryan

• Team: Retired after playing for Indianapolis Colts (1 season) and Atlanta Falcons (14 seasons)
• Position: Quarterback
• Fame: 58%
• Popularity: 38%

8. Joe Flacco

• Team: Played for the Cleveland Browns in 2023, Now he is on the Indianapolis Colts
• Position: Quarterback
• Fame: 63%
• Popularity: 38%

7. Jalen Hurts

• Team: Philadelphia Eagles
• Position: Quarterback
• Fame: 58%
• Popularity: 38%

6. Russell Wilson

• Team: Played for the Denver Broncos in 2023, Now he is on the Pittsburgh Steelers
• Position: Quarterback
• Fame: 65%
• Popularity: 39%

5. Lamar Jackson

• Team: Baltimore Ravens
• Position: Quarterback
• Fame: 66%
• Popularity: 40%

4. Josh Allen

• Team: Buffalo Bills
• Position: Quarterback
• Fame: 59%
• Popularity: 41%

3. Aaron Rodgers

• Team: New York Jets
• Position: Quarterback
• Fame: 81%
• Popularity: 43%

2. Travis Kelce

• Team: Kansas City Chiefs
• Position: Tight end
• Fame: 81%
• Popularity: 48%

1. Patrick Mahomes

• Team: Kansas City Chiefs
• Position: Quarterback
• Fame: 81%
• Popularity: 55%