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: Los Angeles Chargers
Position: Running back
Fame: 48%
Popularity: 31%

49. Kenny Pickett

Team: 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: 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: Pittsburgh Steelers
Position: Quarterback
Fame: 52%
Popularity: 32%

43. T.Y. Hilton

Team: Dallas Cowboys
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: 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: Philadelphia Eagles
Position: Running back
Fame: 56%
Popularity: 36%

17. Cam Newton

Team: Carolina Panthers
Position: Quarterback
Fame: 71%
Popularity: 36%

16. Kirk Cousins

Team: 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: 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: 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%