Most charismatic US football player ever?
The US football season is well under way. Professional football players are celebrities in their own right - many of them become product pitchmen, commentators, preachers, actors and even politicians. Which of these current and former players is the most charismatic?
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Marcus Allen was born on 26 March 1960 in San Diego, California, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Hustlers (2019), Searching for Angela Shelton (2004) and Arli$$ (1996). He was previously married to Kathryn Edwards.- Actor
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Former NFL Seattle Seahawks linebacker, the always controversial Brian "Boz" Bosworth only played three seasons in the NFL but during that period he made plenty of headlines for a mixture of reasons, however he was forced to retire due to a chronic shoulder injury - which then saw "Boz" pitched as a new action star in the cinema.
Bosworth's first film was the fiery action film Stone Cold (1991) about an Alabama police officer (Bosworth) going undercover to smash a murderous outlaw biker gang called "The Brotherhood" led by Lance Henriksen and William Forsythe. Bosworth put in a fairly reasonable performance alongside a supporting cast of very high quality actors, and the film received some mildly positive reviews. Interestingly, it was several years before he made another movie with Bosworth appearing quickly in a string of further tough guy roles in low budget action films including One Man's Justice (1996), the woefully slow Virus (1996), the offbeat noir styled Midnight Heat (1996) and as an undercover cop again in Back in Business (1997).
Bosworth hasn't turned into the next "big thing" in the action genre, however he has continued appearing in key roles in low budget action productions, and minor roles in bigger Hollywood productions such as The Longest Yard (2005).- Actor
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Tall, charismatic ex-star quarterback for the NFL's Pittsburgh Steelers football team. During the 1970s, Bradshaw led the Steelers to four Super Bowl wins over six seasons, and was noted Super Bowl MVP on two occasions. After retiring in 1983, he became a key media commentator on NFL football, and has worked for both the CBS and FOX networks.
Has cropped up in minor roles in three Burt Reynolds movies, Hooper (1978), Smokey and the Bandit II (1980) and The Cannonball Run (1981).- 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.- Producer
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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.- Actor
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Often mentioned as the greatest player in NFL history, this ruggedly handsome African American fullback for the Cleveland Browns first appeared on movie screens in the western Rio Conchos (1964), followed by a strong supporting role as convict commando "Jefferson" in the terrific WWII action film The Dirty Dozen (1967). He was kept busy with additional on screen appearances in other fast paced films including Ice Station Zebra (1968), 100 Rifles (1969) and El Condor (1970).
Brown's popularity grew during the boom of "blaxploitation" cinema in the early 1970s portraying tough "no nonsense" characters in Slaughter (1972), Black Gunn (1972) and Three the Hard Way (1974). His on-screen work in the latter part of the 1970s and 1980s was primarily centered around guest spots on popular TV shows such as CHiPs (1977) and Knight Rider (1982). However, Brown then resurfaced in better quality films beginning with his role as a fiery assassin in The Running Man (1987), he parodied the blaxploitation genre along with many other African-American actors in the comedy I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988), played an ex-heavyweight boxer in the sci-fi comedy Mars Attacks! (1996) and ironically played an ex-football legend in the Oliver Stone directed sports film Any Given Sunday (1999).
Additionally, Jim Brown was a ringside commentator for the first six events of the Ultimate Fighting Championships from 1993 through to 1996. A bona fide legend in American sports and a successful actor, he continues to remain busy in front of the camera with recent appearances in various sports shows & TV productions.- Richard J. Butkus, "Dick", was born in Chicago, Illinois, December 9, 1942. He graduated from the University of Illinois where he was a two time All- American line backer. A first round draft pick of the Chicago Bears, Dick played for them from 1965-1973, and was named All-Pro linebacker seven times. Mr. Butkus was elected into the NFL "Football Hall of Fame" at Canton, Ohio. Many football gurus consider Dick Butkus the finest linebacker in the history of football.
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John Elway is an American former professional football quarterback who is general manager and president of football operations for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL).
John Elway played college football at Stanford and his entire 16-year professional career with the Denver Broncos. At the time of his retirement in early 1999, Elway had recorded the most victories by a starting quarterback and statistically was the second most prolific passer in NFL history. He was also a prolific rusher of the ball, being one of only two players ever to score a rushing touchdown in four different Super Bowls (the other being Thurman Thomas) and the only quarterback to do so.
John Elway set several career records for passing attempts and completions while at Stanford and also received All-American honors. He was the first selection in the 1983 NFL Draft, famously known as the quarterback class of 1983, where he was taken by the Baltimore Colts before being traded to the Denver Broncos. In January 1987, Elway embarked on one of the most notable performances in sports and in NFL history, helping engineer a 98-yard, game-tying touchdown drive in the AFC Championship Game against the Cleveland Browns. Following that game in Cleveland, Elway and the Broncos lost in Super Bowl XXI to the New York Giants Football Team.
After two more Super Bowl losses, the Broncos entered a period of decline; however, that ended during the 1997 season, as Elway and Denver won their first Super Bowl title by defeating the Green Bay Packers 31-24 in Super Bowl XXXII. The Broncos repeated as champions the following season in Super Bowl XXXIII by defeating the Atlanta Falcons 34-19. Elway was voted MVP of that Super Bowl, which was the last game of his career, and in doing so Elway set a then-record five Super Bowl starts which was broken in February 2015 when Tom Brady of New England Patriots started Super Bowl XLIX. As Denver's quarterback, Elway led his teams to six AFC Championship Games and five Super Bowls, winning two. After his retirement as a player, he served as general manager and executive vice president of football operations of the Broncos, which won four division titles, two AFC Championships, and Super Bowl 50 during his tenure. Elway has been a member of the Broncos organization for all three of their Super Bowl victories, two as a player and one as an executive.
Elway was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004 in his first year of eligibility and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2000.- Actor
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Until the start of the 2008 Season, Brett Favre was the Green Bay Packers' starting Quarterback since joining the team in 1992. He joins Joe Montana in being the only players to win back-to-back MVP awards. Favre led the Packers to three consecutive playoff appearances (for the first time since the 1960s) including a Superbowl win in 1996. Raised in Kiln, Mississippi, Favre was both a baseball and a football star, lettering in both sports. On July 14, 1996, Favre married long-time girlfriend Deanna Tynes after a 12-year courtship.- Doug Flutie was born on 23 October 1962 in Manchester, Maryland, USA. He is an actor, known for Arli$$ (1996), Listen Up (2004) and Second String (2002). He has been married to Laurie Flutie since 10 August 1985. They have two children.
- Joe Greene was born on 24 September 1946 in Temple, Texas, USA. He is an actor, known for Smokey and the Bandit II (1980), The Black 6 (1973) and Lady Cocoa (1975). He has been married to Agnes Craft since 28 January 1968. They have three children.
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Alex Karras was born on 15 July 1935 in Gary, Indiana, USA. He was an actor and producer, known for Blazing Saddles (1974), Victor/Victoria (1982) and Porky's (1981). He was married to Susan Clark and Ivalyn Joan Jurgensen. He died on 10 October 2012 in Los Angeles, California, USA.- Jack Kemp was born on 13 July 1935 in Los Angeles, California, USA. He was an actor, known for Chicago Hope (1994), AFL on ABC (1960) and The NFL on NBC (1965). He was married to Joanne Main. He died on 2 May 2009 in Bethesda, Maryland, USA.
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Howie Long was born on 6 January 1960 in Charlestown, Massachusetts, USA. He is an actor and writer, known for Broken Arrow (1996), 3000 Miles to Graceland (2001) and Firestorm (1998). He has been married to Diane Addonizio since 27 June 1982. They have three children.- Actor
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John Madden was born on 10 April 1936 in Austin, Minnesota, USA. He was an actor, known for The Replacements (2000), Little Giants (1994) and Arli$$ (1996). He was married to Virginia Jo Fields. He died on 28 December 2021 in Pleasanton, California, USA.- 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.- Mac attended Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah from 1977-1981 and played quarterback for their football team. In '80 and '81 he was an All American and led the nation in passing and total offense. While playing college football he set 71 NCAA records. Jim played in the NFL for fifteen years for seven different teams: Chicago Bears, San Diego Chargers, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, & Green Bay Packers. Jim led the Chicago Bears to Super Bowl XX victory over the New England Patriots in 1986.
Jim was also a member of Super Bowl XXXI Champion Packers in 1997. Today he is still one of Chicago's favorite sports heroes. In 1998 Jimbo was inducted into the Collegiate Football Hall of Fame. He's been married to his wife Nancy for sixteen years; they have four children. Jim hosts a golf tournament in Phoenix, Arizona for Ronald McDonald House. He is active in a number of charities, Juvenile Diabetes Fund, Society for the Prevention of Blindness, March of Dimes, National Spokesperson for Think First Foundation for Children. In the spring of 2002 he opened his latest restaurant venture now called McMahon's Steakhouse near his home in the Chicago suburb of Glenview, Illinois. Since retiring from football he spends most of his time with his family and playing golf. - Actor
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Don Meredith was born on 10 April 1938 in Mount Vernon, Texas, USA. He was an actor, known for NFL Monday Night Football (1970), Supertrain (1979) and McCloud (1970). He was married to Susan Schloss Lessans, Cheryl King and Alma Lynne Shamburger. He died on 5 December 2010 in Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA.- Considered by many experts to be the greatest quarterback in the history of NFL football, Montana was recruited by the San Francisco 49ers from Notre Dame in 1979 after leading the "Fighting Irish" to a Cotton Bowl victory in 1978. "Joe Cool," as he was known for his ice cool disposition in the heat of the game, led the 49ers on field for twelve seasons and played key roles in the San Francisco 49ers four Super Bowl victories between 1982 and 1990. Montana scooped the Super Bowl MVP Award in 1982, 1985 and 1990, however he suffered an elbow injury in January 1991, and missed all of the 1991 season, and most of the 1992 season.
He was traded to the Kansas City Chiefs in April 1993, and spent his final two years with the Chiefs before finally retiring at the end of 1994.
Well remembered for his amazing plays with fleet-footed wide receiver Jerry Rice, and high-stepping running back Roger Craig. - The son of a steel worker from Beaver Falls, Pa., Joseph William Namath (Joe Willie) came from the rich football tradition that is in Pennsylvania. After starring for Paul 'Bear' Bryant's Alabama Crimson Tide teams in the 1960s, Namath was drafted by both the National Football League's (NFL) St. Louis Cardinals and the rival American Football League's (AFL) New York Jets in 1965. Namath, known as a brash performer in college, signed with the Jets for a then-record $450,000 and gave the upstart, struggling AFL instant credibility in its war with the NFL. Although he didn't turn the Jets into instant winners, he did improve their fortunes his first three years in the league. Namath delivered on his promise as one of the most exciting players in the AFL, by becoming the first quarterback in history to pass for more than 4,000 yards. Namath was also popular off the field, especially with the ladies (which he indulged in, happily) and was known for his love of the New York nightlife. Because of this, he was dubbed "Broadway Joe" by the New York press. Namath gained his legend with not only his performance, but his mouth. After leading the Jets to the AFL championship over the Oakland Raiders, Namath, weary of all the press knocking him and his team and openly favoring the NFL champion Baltimore Colts, boldly lashed out and predicted victory for him and the Jets. He also showed his poise by talking his way out of a potentially explosive situation with Colts' Defensive Tackle, Lou Michaels. Namath and a teammate were in a restaurant talking about how the Jets were a better team than the Colts, when Michaels (who was in earshot) challenged Namath. The cocky QB, instead, bought Michaels dinner, drinks and gave him a ride home. In the game that many felt made the Super Bowl the spectacle it is today, Namath and the Jets were nearly flawless in beating the 17-point favorite Colts, 16-7. Namath became a household name and gave the Jets and the AFL the respectability they were so desperate to have. Namath continued his all-star performances in New York, although he never again played in the Super Bowl. For several years, he was the entertainer of the NFL (the AFL merged with the NFL in 1970) and even dabbled in movies and television (including a memorable performance in pantyhose for a commercial). He was traded to the Los Angeles Rams in 1977, but his failing knees finally gave out and he retired at the end of the season. Namath was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985 and, for a few years, was a member of ABC's NFL Monday Night Football (1970) crew. Namath now lives in Florida.
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Terrell Owens was born on 7 December 1973 in Alexander City, Alabama, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Any Given Sunday (1999), Dysfunctional Friends (2012) and Lap Dance (2014). He has been married to Rachel Snider since 23 January 2014.- Walter Payton, nicknamed "Sweetness, " is 2nd on the NFL's All time rushing list. His playing career lasted from 1975 to 1987. In those years, he amassed 16,026 rushing yards. He made a few appearances on television (as a guest star), but he was known as a profoundly personal man.
- Troy Polamalu was born on 19 April 1981 in Garden Grove, California, USA. He is an actor, known for Moana (2016), The NFL on CBS (1956) and NFL Monday Night Football (1970). He has been married to Theodora Holmes since 27 January 2005. They have two children.
- Barry Sanders is an American former professional football player who was a running back for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). A Pro Bowl invitee in each of his ten NFL seasons and two-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year, Sanders led the league in rushing yards four times and established himself as one of the most elusive runners in pro football with his quickness and agility. In 2007, he was ranked by NFL Network's NFL Top 10 series as the most elusive runner in NFL history, and topped its list of greatest players never to play in a Super Bowl. He is often regarded as one of the greatest running backs in NFL history.
Barry Sanders played college football for the Oklahoma State Cowboys football team, where, as a junior in 1988 he compiled what is considered one of the greatest individual seasons in college football history, rushing for 2,850 yards and 42 touchdowns in 12 games. He was awarded the Heisman Trophy as the most outstanding college player in the nation and was unanimously recognized as an All-American. Sanders was first inducted into the Kansas Sports Hall of Fame in 1998. He then was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2003 and in that same year inducted into the Michigan Sports Hall of Fame.
Barry Sanders joined the Lions in 1989 and had an immediate impact, winning the NFL's Rookie of the Year award. Through ten seasons in Detroit, he averaged over 1,500 rushing yards per season and just under 100 rushing yards per game. In 1997, he became the third player to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season and was named the NFL Most Valuable Player. Still seemingly in his prime, Sanders unexpectedly retired from football after the 1998 season, 1,457 yards short of breaking the then NFL's all-time rushing record. His number 20 jersey was retired by the Lions, and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2004. A year later Barry Sanders was also inducted into the Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame. - Producer
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Deion Sanders is an American former professional football and baseball player who is a sports analyst.
He played 14 seasons in the National Football League (NFL) with the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, Dallas Cowboys, The Washington Redskins, and the Baltimore Ravens. He had a part-time career in baseball as an outfielder for nine seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), where he played professionally for the New York Yankees, the Atlanta Braves, the Cincinnati Reds, and the San Francisco Giants. Sanders won two Super Bowl titles and made one World Series appearance in 1992, making him the only individual to appear in both a Super Bowl and a World Series.
He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011.- Producer
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Shannon Goad Sharpe was born on June 26, 1968 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He is a writer and producer, known for Skip and Shannon: Undisputed (2016), NFL Monday Night Football (1970) and The NFL on CBS (1956). After fourteen seasons in the National Football League, Sharpe became an analyst for CBS. He now works as co-host for FS1's Skip and Shannon: Undisputed.- Producer
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Michael Strahan was born on 21 November 1971 in Houston, Texas, USA. He is a producer and actor, known for The Lego Ninjago Movie (2017), Charlie's Angels (2019) and Ice Age: Collision Course (2016). He was previously married to Jean Marie Muggli and Wanda Nicole Hutchins.- Johnny Unitas played his collegiate career at the University of Louisville (1951-54), passing for 3,007 yards and 27 touchdowns. Unitas, who wore No. 19 as a professional, had his No. 16 collegiate uniform retired at Louisville, the only number retired by the Cardinals.
Known as "The Golden Arm", Unitas had anything but a golden introduction to the NFL. A late round draft pick of the Pittsburg Steelers, he was cut in his rookie year. He signed with the Baltimore Colts a year later and began to change the future of pro football. Unitas quarterbacked the Colts in the NFL title in 1958, beating the New York Giants in the league's first overtime championship, known forever more as the greatest game ever played.
Unitas' legend grew through the 60s and 70s. His record for throwing a touchdown in 47 consecutive games continues to stand. He became the first NFL quarterback to pass for more than 40,000 yards. In January 1971, Unitas won his last championship, leading the Colts against the Cowboys in Super Bowl V.
The persona of "Johnny U" exceeds even his numbers. His bow-legged gait and crew cut became his trademarks. His flair for leading the Colts to come from behind wins became his signature. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979.
In Baltimore, Unitas will be remembered as much for his personal touch as for his professional greatness. Ever willing to stop for an autograph or to give of his time, Unitas helped christen Towson University's new stadium last week - with a pass.
No one could have known that would have been the last pass from his golden arm. Baltimore Mayor Martin O'Malley said, "This is a particularly painful day for Baltimore, because Johnny Unitas was Baltimore -- guts and grit." He played in 10 Pro Bowls, was named MVP three times, and was named the NFL's all-time greatest quarterback at the league's 50th anniversary. He retired in 1973 after one year with the San Diego Chargers. At that time, he held nearly every passing mark in the league record book. - Reginald Howard White was born on December 19, 1961 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He was born to unmarried parents, Charles White and Thelma Dodd Collier. He was raised by his mother until age eight when he was placed with his grandmother, Mildred Dodd.
At Howard High School, Reggie lettered in football, basketball and track. Following high school, he attended the University of Tennessee where he is still the all-time leader for sacks in a career and holds the single game and single season records for most sacks.
He began his professional career with the Memphis Showboats of the USFL in 1984. After the USFL folded in 1985, he went on to play for the Philadelphia Eagles where he would play for eight years, establishing himself as one of the premier pass rushers in the NFL.
In 1993, he signed with the Green Bay Packers and three years later won his first and only Super Bowl. He retired from the NFL at the end of the 1998 season only to comeback in 2000 for one more season with the Carolina Panthers.
He died on December 26, 2004 at his home in Cornelius, North Carolina. He is survived by his wife of almost twenty years, Sara White, and two children.
On February 4, 2006, he was posthumously elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.