Throughout NFL history, there have been some tremendously talented players. Some didn’t get the recognition that they deserved, while others were overrated. Unfortunately, the media drives a lot of the narrative for which players end up being the most memorable. While a majority of the time they are right, there are instances where they get it wrong. In this article, I’m going to put on my NFL fan hat, and give you the 15 most famous players in NFL history.
Jason Fletcher is a Senior Writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @JasonFletcher25, “Like” him on Facebook or add him to your network on Google+.
15. Dan Marino
Getty ImagesAlthough Marino could never quite get the Dolphins over the hump, he took the team to 10 playoff appearances in 17 seasons and was selected to the Pro Bowl nine times. With a little better talent around him, Marino would've been much higher on this list.
14. Peyton Manning
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Manning is the single greatest regular season quarterback of all time. He's a 14-time Pro Bowl selection, five-time NFL MVP and seven-time first-team All-Pro. Manning's only undoing has been his inability to win in the playoffs, where he only locked up one Super Bowl ring.
13. Joe Greene
Getty ImagesJoe Greene was the anchor of one of the best defenses in NFL history. The Pittsburgh Steelers' "Steel Curtain" of the 1970s helped to produce four Super Bowl titles in six years. Greene would constantly beat double-teams with his quickness and agility, and was the most important piece of this all-time great unit.
12. Eric Dickerson
Getty ImagesDespite being forced to retire at the age of 33 due to knee issues, Dickerson was the second-leading rusher in NFL history at the time of his departure. His 2,105 yards in 1984 still stands as the single-season NFL record for rushing yards in a season. It's a shame that Dickerson didn't get to play more years.
11. John Elway
Getty ImagesNow the general manager of the Denver Broncos, Elway led the Broncos to two straight Super Bowls at age 37 and 38, and retired after the second one. He was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection, Super Bowl XXXIII MVP and won the AP NFL MVP in 1987.
10. Dick Butkus
Getty ImagesMaybe it's the name, maybe it's the stare or maybe it's the attitude, but any way you slice it, Butkus is one of the most famous players in NFL history. He was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection, six-time first-team All-Pro and two-time NEA NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
9. Johnny Unitas
Getty ImagesAlthough there are a lot of us that didn't get to see Unitas play during his career, his legacy lives on strong. The former Baltimore Colts great was a 10-time Pro Bowl selection, five-time AP first-team All-Pro and three-time NFL champion. He also led the Colts to a victory in Super Bowl V.
8. Barry Sanders
Getty ImagesFor my money, Barry Sanders is the best running back I've ever seen. Although I'm only 29 years old, and missed out on a lot of the greats, Sanders' ability to dominate the NFL while playing for the worst team in the league was mind-boggling. Had he not walked away from the game so early, there's no doubt in my mind that he would hold the all-time rushing record today.
7. Reggie White
Getty ImagesWhite was one of the greatest defensive ends in NFL history. He finished his career with 198 sacks and 33 forced fumbles, despite spending his first two seasons out of college in the USFL. White was a 13-time Pro Bowl selection, 10-time first-team All-Pro and two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
6. Lawrence Taylor
Getty ImagesTaylor was the most dynamic and disruptive defensive player the NFL has ever seen. His ability to wreak havoc on the opposing offense was something to behold, and it's a shame that he's ruined his legacy with his issues since retirement. Taylor was a 10-time Pro Bowl selection, 10-time first-team All-Pro and three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year, while being a member of two New York Giants Super Bowl teams.
5. Walter Payton
Getty ImagesPayton finished his career with 16,726 rushing yards and 110 touchdowns in 13 seasons. He was a nine-time Pro Bowl selection, six-time first-team All-Pro and was named NFL MVP by different publications in three different seasons. "Sweetness" is the greatest player in Chicago Bears history.
4. Jim Brown
Getty ImagesBrown played nine seasons in the NFL, and recorded 12,312 yards, 106 touchdowns and a 5.2 YPC average as a rusher, while adding 262 receptions, 2,499 yards and 20 touchdowns as a receiver. He was the most menacing running back to ever step on a NFL field, and he still instills fear in people at 79 years old.
3. Joe Montana
Getty ImagesAs opposed to Manning, Montana is the greatest postseason quarterback in NFL history, as he won four Super Bowl rings while with the San Francisco 49ers in only four appearances. He was an eight-time Pro Bowl selection, three-time Super Bowl MVP and two-time NFL MVP.
2. Tom Brady
Getty ImagesWith Brady still playing at a Hall of Fame level at 38 years old, he will likely go down as the greatest NFL quarterback of all-time when he retires. He's won four Super Bowls in six appearances, including being voted Super Bowl MVP in three of those victories. Brady's a 10-time Pro Bowl selection, two-time NFL MVP and two-time first-team All-Pro.
1. Jerry Rice
Getty ImagesIt's possible that Brady will pass Rice by the time he hangs up the cleats, but in my mind, Rice was the most dominant football player the NFL has ever (or will ever) seen. His receiving records haven't even been sniffed despite the NFL's willingness to transition to a passing league. Rice is the all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. The former 49ers great was a 13-time Pro Bowl selection, 10-time first-team All-Pro and three-time Super Bowl champion.
