The 50 Best NFL Players Of 2014
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Aaron Rodgers was born on 2 December 1983 in Chico, California, USA. He is a producer and actor, known for The Office (2005), Work Horses and Key and Peele (2012).- Producer
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Peyton Manning is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback for 18 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). Considered to be one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time due to his numerous career achievements, Peyton spent 14 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and was a member of the Denver Broncos in his last four seasons. Manning played college football for the University of Tennessee, leading the Tennessee Volunteers to the 1997 SEC Championship in his senior season. He is the second son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning and older brother of New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning.
Peyton Manning was selected by the Colts as the first overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft. From 1998 to 2010, he improved the fortunes of the struggling Colts franchise and helped transform them into consistent playoff contenders. During his tenure as starting quarterback, Manning led the team to eight division championships, two AFC championships, and one Super Bowl title, the franchise's first in over three decades, as well as their first since relocating to Indianapolis.
After undergoing neck surgery that forced him to miss the entire 2011 season, Manning was released by the Colts and signed with the Broncos. Serving as the team's starting quarterback from 2012 to 2015, he contributed to the Broncos reaching the top of their division each year and his playing career concluded with a victory in Super Bowl 50.
Peyton Manning holds many NFL records, including AP MVP awards (5), Pro Bowl appearances (14), 4,000-yard passing seasons (14), single-season passing yards (5,477 in 2013), single-season passing touchdowns (55 in 2013). He tied for most First-Team All Pros for a quarterback with 7, and is second in career passing yards (71,940) and passing TD (539). At 39 years of age, Manning was the oldest quarterback to start in and win a Super Bowl until Tom Brady surpassed him by winning a Super Bowl at 41.- Calvin Johnson was born on 29 September 1985 in Newnan, Georgia, USA. He has been married to Brittney McNorton since 4 June 2016. They have one child.
- Adrian Peterson was born in Palestine, Texas, USA as Adrian Lewis Peterson. He is a football player known for The League (2009), The NFL on CBS (1956) and NFL Monday Night Football (1970). He has been married to Ashley Brown since July 22, 2014. They have one child.
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Drew Brees was born on 15 January 1979 in Austin, Texas, USA. He is a producer and actor, known for Untitled Movie Based on the Last Ridge, Bride and Doom and Selah and the Spades (2019). He has been married to Brittany Brees since 8 February 2003. They have four children.- Producer
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Tom Brady was born on August 3, 1977 in San Mateo, California, to Galynn Patricia (Johnson) and Thomas Edward Brady, who owns a financial planning business. His father is of Irish descent and his mother is of Norwegian-Swedish and Polish ancestry. He attended Junipero Serra High School, the same high school which produced Barry Bonds of the SF Giants. He attended the University of Michigan from 1995 to 1999. He was a backup to Brian Griese when the Wolverines went 12-0 and won the national championship in 1997. Brady shared the starting quarterback job with Drew Henson in 1998 and 1999, but managed to compile a 20-5 record over those two years, including a 2-0 record in bowl games. The New England Patriots made him a sixth round draft choice in 2000, the 199th player selected overall in the draft. He spent 2000 as a fourth string quarterback behind Drew Bledsoe, John Friesz and Michael Bishop. In 2001, Brady was elevated to second string quarterback behind Bledsoe as training camp broke. The fortunes for both Brady and the Patriots changed forever on September 23, 2001, as Bledsoe was hit hard by New York Jet linebacker "Mo Lewis", suffering a near life-threatening injury. Brady replaced Bledsoe in the contest, and has started every Patriot game at quarterback since. Bledsoe was never able to regain his starting job, as Brady led the Patriots on an 11-3 run to close the 2001 regular season, then led the Patriots through the playoffs and an improbable 20-17 win over the St. Louis Rams, a 14-point favorite, in Super Bowl XXXVI. After an ordinary 2002 season, Brady skippered the Patriots to one of the greatest seasons in NFL history in 2003. The Patriots began the season 2-2, then won every remaining regular season and playoff game, capped off by a 32-29 win over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl XXXVIII. Brady followed that up with a second consecutive Super Bowl appearance in 2004, as the Patriots once again went 14-2 in the regular season and defeated the Philadelphia Eagles, 24-21 in Super Bowl XXXIX. Brady is 9-0 all-time in the playoffs in his career following Super Bowl XXXIX. In the first two Super Bowls he has played in, Brady was named the Super Bowl MVP, becoming one of only four players in NFL history to win this award more than once. Brady is 48-14 as a starting Patriot quarterback going into the 2005 season. His poise as well as his penchant for playing with incredible cool and precision in big games is drawing comparisons with the great Joe Montana, former SF 49ers quarterback.
Brady is married to model Gisele Bündchen, and the couple has two children. His brother-in-law is baseball player Kevin Youkilis, who is married to Tom's sister, Julie.- Actor
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Brandon Marshall is known for First Step (2016), Glazer Palooza: Big Game Kick Off Live on Torio.Tv (2016) and No One Sees You (2014).- Born in Manhattan, Kansas. Married to Emily, who played basketball at Bethel College (Kansas); the couple has a 7-year-old son, Royal, a 2-year-old son, Brooks, and an infant daughter, Adda. Won a national AAU championship in the 400 meters as a 10-year-old. Parents, Alan and Kim, are lifelong farmers who opened Nelson's Landing, a sports bar/restaurant in Leonardville, Kansas in 2007. Growing up, his family had season tickets to Kansas State football.
- Thomas attended West Laurens High School in Montrose, Ga., where he was a first-team Class AA all-state selection by the Atlanta Journal Constitution and a two-time all-region and All-Heart of Georgia choice. Caught 56 passes for 756 yards (13.5 avg.) with seven touchdowns as a senior. Played on the school's state championship basketball team. First name is pronounced duh-MARE-ee-us. Demaryius Thomas was born on Dec. 25, 1987, in Montrose, Ga.
- LeSean McCoy was born on 12 July 1988 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA.
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DeSean William Jackson (born December 1, 1986) is an American football wide receiver for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of California, Berkeley, where he was recognized as a consensus All-American. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. Jackson has been selected to the Pro Bowl three times, and was the first player selected to the Pro Bowl at two different positions in the same year when he was named to the 2010 Pro Bowl as a wide receiver and return specialist.- Actor
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Attended Oakland (Calif.) Technical High School. Named a Super Prep All-American and the San Francisco Chronicle's East Bay Player of the Year in 2003. Was the first three-time All-League First Team selection in school history. Cousin, QB Josh Johnson, was drafted in the fifth round (160th overall) of the 2008 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.- Transportation Department
Mike Williams is known for Silver Linings Playbook (2012) and Paterno (2018).Buffalo Bill- A.J. Green was born on 31 July 1988 in Summerville, South Carolina, USA. He has been married to Miranda Brooke since 21 March 2015.
- Davante Adams was born on 24 December 1992 in Redwood City, California, USA. He has been married to Devanne Villareal since 2 June 2018.
- J.J. Watt was born on 22 March 1989 in Waukesha, Wisconsin, USA. He is an actor, known for Bad Moms (2016), New Girl (2011) and The League (2009). He has been married to Keaila Watt since 15 February 2020. They have one child.
- Julius Peppers attended Southern Nash High School in Bailey, N.C. He went on to attend the University of North Carolina where he majored in Afro-American studies. Aside from football, Peppers played basketball for the Tar Heels in 1999 as a freshman and in 2000 as a sophomore. He was named the nation's top two-sport athlete by The Sporting News in 2001 in a vote of Division I basketball coaches. Peppers started 33 of the 34 games played in three seasons for North Carolina football and finished his career ranked second all-time in Tar Heels history with 30.5 sacks. He won the Lombardi Award, given to the nation's top lineman, and the Chuck Bednarik Award, given to the nation's best overall defensive player as a junior. Peppers was a finalist for the Nagurski Award, awarded by the Football Writers Association to college football's best defensive player and was unanimous All-America and All-ACC first team choice. In 1999, he was a Freshman All-America choice by The Sporting News. Peppers was selected in the first round (second overall) of the 2002 NFL Draft by Carolina (4/20/02). He went on to set numerous records over his long, brilliant career. He tallied one sack vs. Philadelphia (10/12/17), marking his 150th career sack, becoming the only player in NFL history with at least 150 sacks and 10 interceptions. Julius Peppers, Bruce Smith, Reggie White and Kevin Greene as the only players in NFL history with 10 10-sack seasons. Peppers was named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year by AP in 2002 after recording 12 sacks in his debut season. He currently ranks fourth in NFL history with 159.5 career sacks. Peppers was also named AP First Team All-Pro 3x (2010, 2006, 2004) and was voted to the Pro Bowl 9x (2015, 2012, 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2006, 2005, 2004). He played 17 NFL seasons (10 with Carolina)."
- Graduated from Dominguez High School in Compton. Ranked among the best wide receiver prospects in the nation. PrepStar All-West selection and SuperPrep All-Far West pick. Named to the Long Beach Press- Telegram's Dream Team as one of the premier recruits in the West. Listed as the 50th-best recruit in the nation by SuperPrep. Accounted for 1,030 all-purpose yards as a senior, including 870 yards on 28 catches and three punt returns for touchdowns. Recorded 45 tackles, eight pass breakups and one interception as a defensive back. First team All-CIF and Long Beach Press-Telegram Dream Team selection in track as a senior. Communications major.
- Percy Harvin was born on 28 May 1988 in Chesapeake, Virginia, USA.
- Fred Jackson was born on 20 February 1981 in Fort Worth, Texas, USA.
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Colin Kaepernick was born on 3 November 1987 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA. He is a producer and writer, known for Colin in Black & White (2021), Killing County (2023) and 2018 Nike Commercial Starring Colin Kaepernick (2018).- Producer
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Played in 15 games for Carolina in 2016, starting 14 of the contests and missing one due to a concussion...Compiled 3,509 passing yards, 19 touchdowns and 14 interceptions while completing 270-of-510 passes for a 75.8 passer rating...Rushed for 359 yards and five touchdowns. Surpassed Jake Delhomme for the most passing yards in team history after throwing for 322 yards vs. New Orleans (10/10/16). Named AP NFL Most Valuable Player and AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2015 after he completed 296-of-495 passes for 3,837 yards and a career-high 35 touchdowns with 10 interceptions to produce a careerhigh 99.4 quarterback rating...Became first player in NFL history with at least 30 passing touchdowns and 10 rushing touchdowns in a single season...Became first player in NFL history to produce five seasons with at least 3,000 passing yards and 500 rushing yards...Helped Carolina set team records with an NFL-leading 500 points and 59 touchdowns and gain a team-record 357 first downs.- Robert Griffin III was born on 12 February 1990 in Okinawa, Japan. He is an actor and producer, known for The Teller and the Truth (2015), The League (2009) and Change the Name (2015). He has been married to Grete Griffin since 10 March 2018. They have three children. He was previously married to Rebecca Griffin.
- Teddy Bridgewater was born on 10 November 1992 in Miami, Florida, USA.
- Johnny Manziel was born on 6 December 1992 in Tyler, Texas, USA. He has been married to Bre Tiesi since 18 March 2018.
- Attended Charis Preparatory (Goldsboro, N.C.) Academy, where he played basketball, football, baseball and tennis. On the hardwood, earned All-American honorable mention from Street & Smith Magazine, in addition to garnering All-State and conference and team Most Valuable Player honors. As a senior, averaged 20.7 points, 13.8 rebounds and 4.6 blocks per game. During junior season, grabbed 15.1 rebounds per game and scored an average of 18.2 points per game. Earned airplane pilot's license in 2012.
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Eli Manning was born on 3 January 1981 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. He is a producer and actor, known for Capital One College Bowl (2021), Chad Powers and The Simpsons (1989). He has been married to Abigal McGrew since 19 April 2008. They have four children.- Sammy Watkins was born on 14 June 1993 in Fort Myers, Florida, USA.
- Mario Williams was born on 31 January 1985 in Richlands, North Carolina, USA. He is an actor, known for The NFL on CBS (1956), Family Guy (1999) and NFL Monday Night Football (1970).
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Julian Edelman was born on 22 May 1986 in Redwood City, California, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for 80 for Brady (2023), Ballers (2015) and Almost Friday TV (2022).- Victor Cruz was born on 18 August 1908 in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba. He died on 7 August 1998 in Berlin, Germany.
- Spent two seasons at Oregon following two years at East Mississippi Community College (Scooba, MS). Rushed for a combined 3,358 yards and 37 TDs at the two schools, including 1,066 yards and 19 TDs in 16 games at Oregon. Scored a school-record 17 TDs as a junior in 2008 and was named All-Pac 10 honorable mention. Posted 367 carries, 2,292 yards and 18 TDs in 17 games, in addition to 19 receptions for 283 yards and 2 TDs, at East Mississippi Community College. Named a junior college All-American and first-team all-state selection.
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Reggie Bush was born on 2 March 1985 in Spring Valley, California, USA. He is an actor and writer, known for Walking on Dead Fish (2008), The Reggie Bush Project (2006) and Sighrens. He has been married to Lilit Avagyan since 12 July 2014. They have three children.- Actor
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Maurice Jones-Drew was born on 23 March 1985 in Pinole, California, USA. He is an actor and writer, known for The League (2009), Alliance of American Football (2019) and When the Game Stands Tall (2014).- Julio Jones was born in Foley, Alabama, USA as Quintorris Lopez Jones. His mother Queen gave him the nickname Julio when he was in the 7th grade. He grew up in a violent neighborhood, but his mother was strict and worked hard to keep him out of trouble and pushed him to do well. Julio became a star football player for Foley High School where he started on offense and defense. He was also a starter on the basketball team and he ran track. He won the Alabama state championship in the long jump and triple jump in 2006 and 2007. He was named the 2006-07 Gatorade T&F Athlete of the Year.
He was already being recruited to play football by colleges all over the nation by his sophomore season. By the end of his junior season he was considered the #1 wide receiver prospect and top 5 overall prospect in the nation. On February 6, 2008, Jones committed to the Alabama Crimson Tide on National Signing Day, announcing his decision live on ESPNU.
Jones started playing football for Alabama during a time when they weren't having much success and he immediately became a local celebrity. He would frequently get stopped in public to sign autographs for several minutes. He became a starter at wide receiver during his freshman season. He helped Alabama start the season with 12 wins and 0 losses as well at a 1 ranking in all of the major polls. Alabama won the SEC West championship, but lost the SEC championship game and the Sugar Bowl to finish 12-2 and ranked #6 nationally. He Associated Press named Julio the SEC Freshman of the Year.
Preceding the 2009 football season, Julio Jones was voted to the All-SEC Coaches' Football Team (first team), one of only four players to be voted such unanimously. Jones helped Alabama finish the season undefeated as SEC and National Champions.
Jones ended his Junior campaign with an Alabama record 78 catches and 1,133 yards along with seven touchdowns which was good for 4th best in Alabama history.. He also had eight rushes for 135 yards and two touchdowns along with five punt returns for 44 yards and five kickoff returns for 129 yards. Jones ended his Alabama career second in career receptions and yards in school history and fourth in touchdown catches. He had eight career 100-yard receiving games. Jones was a first-team All-SEC selection in 2010.
Julio decided to forgo his senior season at Alabama and entered the 2011 NFL draft. The Atlanta Falcons traded up in the draft in order to select Julio as the 6th pick in the first round. - Von Miller was born on 26 March 1989 in De Soto, Texas, USA. He is an actor, known for The NFL on CBS (1956), NFL Monday Night Football (1970) and NFL on FOX (1994).
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Terrell Ray "T.J." Ward Jr., celebrated as a Super Bowl champion and an NFL superstar, has skillfully expanded his repertoire beyond the football field to become a distinguished podcaster, actor, producer, writer, and style icon. His dynamic career trajectory showcases not just his athletic prowess but also his multifaceted talents in the realms of entertainment and media. As a dedicated father and avid golfer, T.J. balances his professional achievements with personal passions, reflecting a well-rounded and engaging personality.
This spring, T.J. is set to captivate audiences with the launch of his sports entertainment podcast, a venture that promises to blend his insightful perspectives with in-depth discussions on sports, culture, and current events. This podcast is just a glimpse into T.J.'s evolving career as an engaging communicator and storyteller, further solidifying his status as a multi-dimensional personality in the sports and entertainment industries.
T.J.'s journey from NFL stardom to a creative force in podcast, acting, producing, and writing is driven by his unwavering commitment to making a positive impact. His philanthropic efforts through the Ward Boy Project, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, reflect his dedication to empowering young leaders and athletes, particularly in the East Bay Area. This initiative, inspired by his and his brother Terron's journey from San Francisco to NFL fame, underscores T.J.'s deep-rooted values and his desire to give back to the community that shaped him.
In addition to his creative and philanthropic endeavors, T.J. has made significant strides in the world of sports management with the Player Above Sports Group (PASG), co-founded with Markeese La Vette. This innovative agency represents T.J.'s vision for a comprehensive approach to athlete management, ensuring success both on and off the field.
As the anticipation builds for T.J.'s podcast, his continuous contributions to philanthropy, sports management, and the creative arts underscore his exceptional versatility and commitment to excellence. T.J. Ward's journey from an NFL superstar to a dynamic figure in podcast, acting, producing, and writing exemplifies his ability to transcend traditional boundaries and make a lasting impact across various sectors. Stay updated on T.J. Ward's multifaceted career, including his upcoming podcast, the impactful Ward Boy Project, and the Player Above Sports Group at PASG, by visiting their respective websites and following their social media channels.- DeMarcus Ware was born on 31 July 1982 in Auburn, Alabama, USA. He was previously married to Taniqua Smith.
- Eric Decker was born on 15 March 1987 in Cold Spring, Minnesota, USA. He is an actor, known for Squirt (2002), The NFL on CBS (1956) and NFL on FOX (1994). He has been married to Jessie James Decker since 22 June 2013. They have four children.
- Antonio Cromartie was born on 15 April 1984 in Tallahassee, Florida, USA. He has been married to Terricka Cromartie since 2 July 2010. They have four children.
- Darrelle Revis was born on 14 July 1985 in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania, USA.
- Earl Thomas was born on 7 May 1989 in Orange, Texas, USA. He is an actor, known for Road to Recovery (2017), NFL Monday Night Football (1970) and The NFL on CBS (1956).
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- Clay Matthews was born on 14 May 1986 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He is an actor, known for Pitch Perfect 2 (2015), Entourage (2015) and WWE Smackdown! (1999).
- Josh Gordon is known for A$AP Ferg: New Level (2016), The NFL on CBS (1956) and NBC Sunday Night Football (2006).
- Jadeveon Clowney was born on 14 February 1993 in Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA.
- Jairus Byrd was born on 7 October 1986 in San Diego, California, USA.