These Are 20 of the Best Football Players in the History of the Game

American football is the most popular sport in the United States. According to a Gallup Poll, it takes the top honors in every demographic, from young and old to men and women, with 41% of the population naming it as their favorite sport. For many fans, beginning at the start of the season in September, their lives revolve around gamedays – Sundays, Mondays, and Thursdays – when their favorite teams hit the field. (If you prefer European football, or soccer, you might be a fan of one of the greatest players in the game, Cristiano Ronaldo.)

Part of the reason fans love football so much is because of how fast-paced the game is, unlike America's pastime, baseball, which can often drag on through nine innings or more with overtime. But it's also the fun, and the sense of camaraderie they get from interacting with similar like-minded people, where they can bond over a game.

Not everyone has the same favorite players – and some top players are also some of the most despised – but there is no denying that these athletes are outstanding. To compile this list of the best football athletes to ever play, 24/7 Tempo consulted sports-centered sources including NFL.com, ESPN, and Fox Sports.

As of 2024, one of the most popular players to watch is Patrick Mahomes. Whether you love him or hate him for winning so much, he's become a must-see player for sports fans. While he's still in his 20s, Mahomes has already cemented himself as one of the greatest quarterbacks to play the game. His ability to improvise during plays has helped him win three Super Bowls in five years.

One of his teammates, Travis Kelce, considered one of the greatest tight ends in NFL history, has become a household name because of his relationship with international music star, Taylor Swift. Fans often think about how great of a player Kelce was in his prime, especially since he's nearing the end of his career. For more sports content, click here to read about the most notable athletes from Arizona.

• Teams: New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Seasons played: 23

Tom Brady went from being a sixth-round pick that few people had hoped for into becoming (arguably) the greatest athlete ever. He won seven Super Bowls during his career and five Super Bowl MVPs. Brady selflessly took far less money than he was worth so that his General Managers could surround him with better players.

Fans look at his selflessness as the main reason he sustained success in the NFL for a long time. A first-ballot Hall of Famer, Brady took his last snap in 2022 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

• Teams: San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs
• Seasons played: 16

Joe Montana was once the quarterback other players aspired to be like. The leader of the San Francisco 49ers dynasty during the 1980s guided the team to four Super Bowl wins, he won three Super Bowl MVPs and two regular season MVPs. Like Brady, Montana wasn't a highly touted prospect coming out of college. He was a third-round pick, who exceeded even the wildest expectations.

After the 49ers decided to move on with Steve Young, Montana joined the Kansas City Chiefs. While he didn't win a Super Bowl with the team, he gave their fans memories that have lasted forever.

• Teams: Kansas City Chiefs
• Seasons played: Seven and counting

By the time his career is over, Patrick Mahomes might be labeled the greatest quarterback to ever play the game. Mahomes will have to eclipse Brady's seven rings to be considered the greatest ever (fans witnessed Tom Brady beat Mahomes in the Super Bowl.) As of the 2024 season, Mahomes has already won three titles with the Kansas City Chiefs. The key for Mahomes and the Chiefs is to draft quality players to replace their talent like the Patriots were able to do with Brady.

• Teams: Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos
• Seasons played: 18

When Peyton Manning was drafted, he was coined as the player who was going to save the Indianapolis Colts. During his career with the Colts, Manning won a Super Bowl, broke multiple records, and won four MVPs. He signed with the Denver Broncos to end his career, where he'd win another Super Bowl and MVP.

His time with the Broncos is remembered for breaking the regular season touchdown record with the 2013 team. The Manning versus Brady rivalry is talked about as one of the most intense between two players of any generation.

• Teams: Denver Broncos
• Seasons played: 16

When John Elway was drafted by the Baltimore Colts, but became one of the first athletes to use his power to dictate where he wanted to play. He ended up getting traded to the Denver Broncos where he had one of the best NFL careers of any player in history. Although he accomplished much, a Super Bowl title evaded him for the majority of his time in Denver.

Then Elway beat the Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons in back-to-back Super Bowls to end his career, capping off his Hall of Fame time in the NFL. Elway became in charge of the Denver Broncos, and the team won another title in 2016 under his watch. Fans of the Denver Broncos can't think of the team without mentioning Elway.

DETROIT, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 17: Former Detroit Lions player Barry Sanders is honored during the game against the Seattle Seahawks at Ford Field on September 17, 2023 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)

• Teams: Detroit Lions
• Seasons played: 10

During his time with the Detroit Lions, Sanders became known for his quick moves and ability to make defenders miss easily. He's one of the few players to win NFL MVP while not being a quarterback. Sanders led the NFL in rushing four separate times during his career. Even though he retired in 1998, Sanders is still talked about as the greatest running back to play the game.

• Teams: Cleveland Browns
• Seasons played: Nine

Jim Brown won three MVPs during his career, was a nine-time Pro Bowler, and led the NFL in rushing eight separate times. Fans can't understate how important Brown was to the progression of football and how running backs play the game. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame after he retired.

• Teams: Chicago Bears
• Seasons played: 13

Walter Payton was a Super Bowl champion, and NFL MVP, and went to nine Pro Bowls during his career. He also became known for his charitable efforts off the field, becoming so engrained in the community that the NFL named the award for the most philanthropic player after him. Payton spent his full career with the Chicago Bears, and as of 2024, still holds the record for the most consecutive starts by a running back in history with 170.

CENTURY CITY, CA - AUGUST 12: Former NFL player Gale Sayers attends the 10th annual Harold Pump Foundation Gala at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel on August 12, 2010 in Century City, California. (Photo by Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images)

• Teams: Chicago Bears
• Seasons played: Seven

Gale Sayers only played from 1965 until 1971, but he made the most of his time with the team. During his rookie year, Sayers scored 22 touchdowns, a record that is still held today as the highest mark by a rookie. Sayers helped pave the way for players like Walter Payton and Barry Sanders. Sayers was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame after he retired from the sport.

• Teams: San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks
• Seasons played: 20

Jerry Rice is unquestionably the gold standard when it comes to the position of wide receiver. During his career, he won three Super Bowls, a Super Bowl MVP, and two Offensive Player of the Year awards. He caught 197 touchdowns during his career, which is an NFL record, and also owns the record for most receiving yards and receptions of any receiver who's ever played. No other receiver has gotten to the same levels as Rice has, even though they continue to strive.

• Teams: Minnesota Vikings, Oakland Raiders, New England Patriots, Tennessee Titans, San Francisco 49ers
• Seasons played: 14

Moss was drafted to the Minnesota Vikings where he teamed up with Cris Carter to create one of the most dynamic offenses ever. After his stint with the Vikings, Moss went to the New England Patriots in search of his first Super Bowl. During the regular season, the Patriots went undefeated. However, the team fell short to the New York Giants in the Super Bowl that year, giving the team their only loss of the season. Moss had one of the greatest careers of any wide receiver in history and led the league in receiving touchdowns five different times during his career. He was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

• Teams: Detroit Lions
• Seasons played: Nine

Fans were convinced that Calvin Johnson was built in a special lab to mold him into an NFL player. His height, jumping ability, and speed are all reasons why he was given the nickname Megatron. During his career, Johnson led the NFL in receiving yards twice and was a First-Team All-Pro three seasons. His career was cut short because of injuries, which at the time of announcement, shocked fans.

AUSTIN, TEXAS - MARCH 11: Shannon Sharpe poses with his award backstage at the 2024 iHeartPodcast Awards presented by The Hartford Live at SXSW at Fairmont Palm Park, Fairmont Hotel on March 11, 2024 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Mat Hayward/Getty Images for iHeartRadio)

• Teams: Denver Broncos, Baltimore Ravens
• Seasons played: 14

Before Sharpe, tight ends were used primarily as blockers only, but it was Sharpe who created the modern tight-end position. He had great chemistry with John Elway and helped the position evolve into one where the players could catch touchdowns and be playmakers. Sharpe won three Super Bowls in his career, two with the Denver Broncos and one with the Baltimore Ravens. Ever since his retirement, Sharpe has become a popular voice on different morning sports talk shows.

• Teams: Kansas City Chiefs
• Seasons played: Nine and counting

Travis Kelce has become the most trusted playmaker for Patrick Mahomes during their time together with the Kansas City Chiefs. While he's listed as a tight end, Kelce has the speed and skills that most receivers do. The reason he's able to play tight end is his size is useful for blocking whenever he's not running routes. Kelce's won three Super Bowls during his career so far and has become one of the most dominant forces in the league.

FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 26: Rob Gronkowski 87. of the New England Patriots spikes the ball after catching a touchdown pass during the third quarter of a game against the Miami Dolphins at Gillette Stadium on November 26, 2017 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)

• Teams: New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Seasons played: 11

Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski played football together their entire careers, and are another duo that had a great connection during their time together. Gronkowski used his height and strength to muscle his way to touchdowns and countless tight-end records, and still holds the record for most touchdowns in a season by a tight end. He won four Super Bowls and cemented his legacy as one of the greatest to ever run onto the field. Fans also adore Gronkowski's fun-loving personality, something he shows during the NFL season on Fox.

• Teams: Baltimore Ravens
• Seasons played: 17

Ray Lewis dominated the game from the linebacker position, unlike any other player, and during his career, he won two Super Bowls with the Baltimore Ravens. Lewis was known for his hard hits and willingness to run after the quarterback on every play. Since his retirement, Lewis can be seen on ESPN during the NFL season offering in-depth insight.

SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA - JANUARY 07: Aaron Donald 99. of the Los Angeles Rams looks on during a game against the San Francisco 49ers at Levi's Stadium on January 07, 2024 in Santa Clara, California. (Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images)

• Teams: St. Louis/ Los Angeles Rams
• Seasons played: 10

Coming out of college, fans knew Donald was going to be a force on the inside. During his career, he won three Defensive Player of the Year awards, a Super Bowl, and was labeled the Defensive Rookie of the Year. Fans are waiting to see what Donald does in the future. Since he already lives in Los Angeles, transitioning to a television role seems like the natural next step for the former player.

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - NOVEMBER 03: Former New York Giants player Lawrence Taylor waves to the crowd prior to their game against the Indianapolis Colts at MetLife Stadium on November 3, 2014 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

• Teams: New York Giants
• Seasons played: 13

The New York Giants defense was led by Lawrence Taylor in the 1980s and '90s, who was known for his all-out effort and willingness to battle through every play to get to the opposing quarterback. He was so dominant that he ended up winning the MVP in 1986, which is something few defensive players have ever done in the NFL. Taylor helped the Giants win two Super Bowls during his career.

Reggie White 92., Defensive Tackle and Defensive End for the Green Bay Packers looks over during the National Football Conference Central Division game against the Chicago Bears on 6th October 1996 at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, United States. The Green Bay Packers won the game 37 - 6. (Photo by Glenn Cratty/Allsport/Getty Images)

• Teams: Memphis Showboats, Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers, Carolina Panthers
• Seasons played: 15

White won the Defensive Player of the Year award twice in his career, once with the Green Bay Packers and once with the Philadelphia Eagles, and holds the record for consecutive seasons with 15 or more sacks, which he did five straight years. Players on the defensive line try to mold their game after White because of the success he had in making plays.

• Teams: Washington, Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints
• Seasons played: 15

Champ Bailey, who holds the NFL record for most passes defended with 203, didn't allow opposing teams to have easy targets for their best wide receiver when they played against him. He was a 12-time Pro Bowl selection, another record for cornerbacks, and while Bailey never won a Super Bowl, he did everything in his power to make it happen with his teams. For more sports content, click here to read about the most popular teams in Nevada.