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
![Houston Texans v Baltimore Ravens](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GettyImages-1674482722-scaled.jpg)
- 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
![AFC Wild Card Playoffs - Pittsburgh Steelers v Buffalo Bills](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GettyImages-1935668109-scaled.jpg)
- Team: Played for the Pittsburgh Steelers, now he is on the Philadelphia Eagles
- Position: Quarterback
- Fame: 50%
- Popularity: 31%
48. Justin Herbert
![Justin Herbert](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Justin-Herbert.jpg)
- Team: Los Angeles Chargers
- Position: Quarterback
- Fame: 52%
- Popularity: 32%
47. Carson Wentz
![Los Angeles Rams v San Francisco 49ers](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GettyImages-1915489303-scaled.jpg)
- 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
![Philadelphia Eagles v Seattle Seahawks](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GettyImages-1866011037-scaled.jpg)
- Team: Philadelphia Eagles
- Position: Wide receiver
- Fame: 52%
- Popularity: 32%
45. Jordan Love
![NFC Divisional Playoffs - Green Bay Packers v San Francisco 49ers](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GettyImages-1948567692-scaled.jpg)
- Team: Green Bay Packers
- Position: Quarterback
- Fame: 54%
- Popularity: 32%
44. Justin Fields
![Justin Fields](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Justin-Fields.jpeg)
- 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
![T.Y. Hilton](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/T.Y.-Hilton.jpeg)
- 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
![SiriusXM at Super Bowl LVIII – Feb 7](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GettyImages-1993736583-scaled.jpg)
- Team: Chicago Bears
- Position: Running back
- Fame: 50%
- Popularity: 32%
41. Jonathan Taylor
![Houston Texans v Indianapolis Colts](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GettyImages-1913647648-scaled.jpg)
- Team: Indianapolis Colts
- Position: Running back
- Fame: 50%
- Popularity: 32%
40. Chase Young
![Super Bowl LVIII - San Francisco 49ers Media Availability](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GettyImages-1991163111-scaled.jpg)
- Team: New Orleans Saints
- Position: Defensive end
- Fame: 56%
- Popularity: 32%
39. JuJu Smith-Schuster
![New England Patriots v Pittsburgh Steelers](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GettyImages-1838866713-scaled.jpg)
- Team: New England Patriots
- Position: Wide receiver
- Fame: 52%
- Popularity: 32%
38. Ezekiel Elliott
![Ezekiel Elliott](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Ezekiel-Elliott.jpg)
- Team: Dallas Cowboys
- Position: Running back
- Fame: 59%
- Popularity: 33%
37. Deshaun Watson
![Cleveland Browns v Baltimore Ravens](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GettyImages-1790096926-scaled.jpg)
- Team: Cleveland Browns
- Position: Quarterback
- Fame: 50%
- Popularity: 33%
36. Nick Foles
![Nick Foles](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Nick-Foles.jpg)
- Team: Free agent, last played for the Indianapolis Colts
- Position: Quarterback
- Fame: 57%
- Popularity: 33%
35. Justin Jefferson
![Justin Jefferson](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Justin-Jefferson.jpeg)
- Team: Minnesota Vikings
- Position: Wide receiver
- Fame: 52%
- Popularity: 33%
34. Ryan Tannehill
![Ryan Tannehill](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Ryan-Tannehill.jpg)
- Team: Now a free agent, last played for the Tennessee Titans
- Position: Quarterback
- Fame: 54%
- Popularity: 33%
33. Dak Prescott
![](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/dak-prescott-dallas-cowboys-113017.jpg)
- Team: Dallas Cowboys
- Position: Quarterback
- Fame: 58%
- Popularity: 33%
32. Trevon Diggs
![Dallas Cowboys v New York Giants](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GettyImages-1672822304-scaled.jpg)
- Team: Dallas Cowboys
- Position: Cornerback
- Fame: 58%
- Popularity: 33%
31. Andrew Luck
![Andrew Luck](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Andrew-Luck.jpeg)
- Team: Retired after playing for the Indianapolis Colts (7 seasons)
- Position: Quarterback
- Fame: 56%
- Popularity: 33%
30. Jared Goff
![NFC Championship - Detroit Lions v San Francisco 49ers](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GettyImages-1968829573-scaled.jpg)
- Team: Detroit Lions
- Position: Quarterback
- Fame: 52%
- Popularity: 34%
29. CJ Stroud
![SiriusXM at Super Bowl LVIII – Feb 8](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GettyImages-1995738403-scaled.jpg)
- Team: Houston Texans
- Position: Quarterback
- Fame: 51%
- Popularity: 34%
28. Alvin Kamara
![Alvin Kamara](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Alvin-Kamara.jpg)
- Team: New Orleans Saints
- Position: Running back
- Fame: 51%
- Popularity: 34%
27. CeeDee Lamb
![NFC Wild Card Playoffs - Green Bay Packers v Dallas Cowboys](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GettyImages-1933614679-scaled.jpg)
- Team: Dallas Cowboys
- Position: Wide receiver
- Fame: 51%
- Popularity: 34%
26. DeAndre Hopkins
![Jacksonville Jaguars v Tennessee Titans](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GettyImages-1915346470-scaled.jpg)
- Team: Tennessee Titans
- Position: Wide receiver
- Fame: 55%
- Popularity: 34%
25. Tua Tagovailoa
![Tua Tagovailoa](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Tua-Tagovailoa.jpg)
- Team: Miami Dolphins
- Position: Quarterback
- Fame: 54%
- Popularity: 34%
24. Nick Bosa
![Nick Bosa](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Nick-Bosa.jpg)
- Team: San Francisco 49ers
- Position: Defensive end
- Fame: 55%
- Popularity: 35%
23. Christian McCaffrey
![Christian McCaffrey](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Christian-McCaffrey.jpg)
- Team: San Francisco 49ers
- Position: Running back
- Fame: 54%
- Popularity: 35%
22. Michael Thomas
![Michael Thomas](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Michael-Thomas.jpg)
- Team: New Orleans Saints
- Position: Wide receiver
- Fame: 50%
- Popularity: 35%
21. Trevor Lawrence
![Trevor Lawrence](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Trevor-Lawrence.jpeg)
- Team: Jacksonville Jaguars
- Position: Quarterback
- Fame: 59%
- Popularity: 35%
20. Matthew Stafford
![Matthew Stafford](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Matthew-Stafford.jpg)
- Team: Los Angeles Rams
- Position: Quarterback
- Fame: 55%
- Popularity: 35%
19. Von Miller
![Von Miller](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Von-Miller.jpg)
- Team: Buffalo Bills
- Position: Linebacker
- Fame: 56%
- Popularity: 35%
18. Saquon Barkley
![Saquon Barkley](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Saquon-Barkley.jpg)
- Team: Played for Giants in 2023, Now he is on the Philadelphia Eagles
- Position: Running back
- Fame: 56%
- Popularity: 36%
17. Cam Newton
![Cam Newton](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Cam-Newton.jpg)
- Team: Retired, played for the Carolina Panthers
- Position: Quarterback
- Fame: 71%
- Popularity: 36%
16. Kirk Cousins
![Kirk Cousins](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Kirk-Cousins.jpg)
- Team: Played for the Minnesota Vikings in 2023, Now he is on the Atlanta Falcons
- Position: Quarterback
- Fame: 61%
- Popularity: 36%
15. Baker Mayfield
![NFC Divisional Playoffs - Tampa Bay Buccaneers v Detroit Lions](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GettyImages-1956515462-scaled.jpg)
- Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
- Position: Quarterback
- Fame: 58%
- Popularity: 37%
14. Adrian Peterson
![Adrian Peterson](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Adrian-Peterson.jpg)
- Team: Retired, last played for the Seattle Seahawks
- Position: Running back
- Fame: 57%
- Popularity: 37%
13. Derek Carr
![Atlanta Falcons v New Orleans Saints](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GettyImages-1915304690-scaled.jpg)
- Team: New Orleans Saints
- Position: Quarterback
- Fame: 57%
- Popularity: 37%
12. Odell Beckham Jr.
![Odell Beckham Jr.](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Odell-Beckham-Jr.jpg)
- 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
![Joe Burrow](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/GettyImages-2001207064-scaled.jpeg)
- Team: Cincinnati Bengals
- Position: Quarterback
- Fame: 62%
- Popularity: 37%
10. Amari Cooper
![Cleveland Browns v Houston Texans](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/GettyImages-1880599942-scaled.jpg)
- Team: Cleveland Browns
- Position: Wide receiver
- Fame: 59%
- Popularity: 38%
9. Matt Ryan
![Matt Ryan](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Matt-Ryan.jpg)
- Team: Retired after playing for Indianapolis Colts (1 season) and Atlanta Falcons (14 seasons)
- Position: Quarterback
- Fame: 58%
- Popularity: 38%
8. Joe Flacco
![Joe Flacco](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Joe-Flacco.jpeg)
- Team: Played for the Cleveland Browns in 2023, Now he is on the Indianapolis Colts
- Position: Quarterback
- Fame: 63%
- Popularity: 38%
7. Jalen Hurts
![Jalen Hurts](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Jalen-Hurts.jpg)
- Team: Philadelphia Eagles
- Position: Quarterback
- Fame: 58%
- Popularity: 38%
6. Russell Wilson
![Russell Wilson](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Russell-Wilson.jpg)
- Team: Played for the Denver Broncos in 2023, Now he is on the Pittsburgh Steelers
- Position: Quarterback
- Fame: 65%
- Popularity: 39%
5. Lamar Jackson
![Lamar Jackson](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Lamar-Jackson.jpeg)
- Team: Baltimore Ravens
- Position: Quarterback
- Fame: 66%
- Popularity: 40%
4. Josh Allen
![Josh Allen](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Josh-Allen.jpeg)
- Team: Buffalo Bills
- Position: Quarterback
- Fame: 59%
- Popularity: 41%
3. Aaron Rodgers
![](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/aaron-rodgers-green-bay-packers-grant-halverson-getty-images-e1518105649784.jpg)
- Team: New York Jets
- Position: Quarterback
- Fame: 81%
- Popularity: 43%
2. Travis Kelce
![](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/travis-kelce-kansas-city-chiefs.jpg)
- Team: Kansas City Chiefs
- Position: Tight end
- Fame: 81%
- Popularity: 48%
1. Patrick Mahomes
![Patrick Mahomes](https://247tempo.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Patrick-Mahomes.jpg)
- Team: Kansas City Chiefs
- Position: Quarterback
- Fame: 81%
- Popularity: 55%