In the legendary history of the NFL, there have been many outstanding athletes who have left a deep impression on fans. From impressive catches to accurate passes, each individual has contributed significantly to the development of this sport. However, determining who is the best in NFL history is not only about personal achievements and records, but also about the influence and legacy they leave behind. So, who is the best player in NFL history? Let’s Bestsoccertips.com discover the list of the best names in this article who have made an indelible mark on the front and debate who deserves that noble title!
Who is the best player in NFL history
1. Aaron Donald
At 6 foot-1, the expectations for Aaron Donald weren’t sky-high, especially as he was only the 13th overall pick in the 2014 NFL Draft. However, he quickly became one of the greatest defensive tackles in NFL history. After winning Defensive Rookie of the Year for the 2014 season, Donald embarked on an impressive streak. With 89 sacks (averaging 12.7 sacks per season), he has had a stellar 7-year career, during which he won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award three times, in 2015, 2021, and 2019.
His achievements don’t stop there. Donald is also one of the few players with 10 Pro Bowl appearances, being selected to the first-team All-Pro eight times. It’s no surprise that he’s one of only two defensive players with over 100 career sacks. Upon retirement, Donald joined Barry Sanders as the only players in NFL history to play at least 10 seasons and be named to the Pro Bowl every year.
2. Don Hutson
Don Hutson truly is a timeless icon in NFL history, a pioneer decades ahead of his peers. In an era where the wide receiver position hadn’t fully developed, Hutson not only played the role of a wide receiver but was even considered the “end” of the team. His excellence greatly contributed to the Green Bay Packers’ significant success, winning three NFL championships in the 1930s and 1940s. He was also honored twice with the NFL MVP award.
On the field, Don Hutson held numerous records. He led the league in receptions 9 times, receiving yards 8 times, and touchdowns 7 times. In 1940, he also led in interceptions, showcasing his versatility and impact on every aspect of the game.
However, perhaps the most notable highlight of Don Hutson’s career was becoming the first NFL wide receiver to have a season with over 1,000 yards, achieving an impressive 1,211 yards in 1942. With his perseverance and talent, Hutson recorded 488 receptions, 7,991 receiving yards, 99 touchdowns, and scored an additional 172 points. Not just a star on the field, he remains a monument to greatness and success in the world of football.
3. John Elway
John Elway truly epitomizes excellence and success in NFL history, ending his career in a glorious manner that many of the greatest players could only dream of. From 1983 to 1998, Elway built a stellar career with 9 Pro Bowl selections and induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. However, what Elway truly desired and waited for over many years was the Super Bowl championship ring, and he achieved that in spectacular fashion.
Joining the Denver Broncos after being forced out of the Baltimore Colts in the 1983 NFL Draft, Elway quickly became the face and leader of the team. His greatest achievement came in leading the team to two consecutive Super Bowl championships in the 1997 and 1998 seasons. In both championship games, Elway played brilliantly and was honored with the Super Bowl XXXIII MVP title, showcasing his strength and talent in the twilight of his career.
Alongside his major accolades, Elway also left a profound mark on his career through impressive statistical figures. He totaled 51,475 passing yards, with a QB rating of 79.9, 300 touchdowns, 226 interceptions, and a completion rate of 56.9%. These numbers not only reflect Elway’s individual talent but also form part of the great legacy he contributed to the NFL.
4. Alan Page
Alan Page and the Minnesota Vikings became synonymous, marking one of the strongest bonds between a player and a team in NFL history. Selected as the 15th overall pick in the 1967 NFL Draft, Page, standing at 6 foot 4, not only remained with Minnesota for over a decade but also returned after retirement.
As part of the “Purple People Eaters,” Page showcased his excellence with 8 seasons of double-digit sack totals. Most notably, in 1970, he recorded a remarkable 7 fumble recoveries, and in 1971, he earned both the NFL MVP and Defensive Player of the Year awards.
With 8 All-Pro selections and 9 Pro Bowl appearances, Page etched his name in history with 148.5 sacks, 23 fumble recoveries, 3 safeties, 2 interceptions, and 3 touchdowns. Particularly, he still holds the NFL record for most safeties (two) in a season. Page’s impressive contributions weren’t just those of a great player but also symbolized stability and success for the Minnesota Vikings in the 1970s.
5. Emmitt Smith
No discussion of the NFL’s all-time rushing leaders is complete without mentioning Emmitt Smith of the Dallas Cowboys. With nearly 2,000 more rushing yards than Walter Payton and far surpassing Derrick Henry, he could have earned this honor even before Henry reached 9,502 rushing yards. Wearing the number 22 for the Dallas Cowboys, Smith made his mark with 11 consecutive seasons of 1,000 rushing yards, becoming a symbol of perseverance and power.
He wasn’t just Dallas’s reliable workhorse but also one of the few players to have over 400 rushing attempts in four different seasons and make the list of 10-year players with at least 300 rushing attempts. Beyond being a consistent force on the field, Smith is a living legend with 8 Pro Bowl selections and 3 Super Bowl championships, embodying sustained greatness and relentless competitive spirit.
Throughout his career, Emmitt Smith left a strong imprint with 18,355 rushing yards, 164 rushing touchdowns, averaging 81.2 rushing yards per game and 4.2 yards per carry. Not just an offensive threat, he also had 3,224 receiving yards, scored 11 receiving touchdowns, and even threw another touchdown.
6. Dan Marino
No one can challenge the top spot of the Dallas Cowboys in the list of fastest quarterbacks of all time in NFL history without mentioning Emmitt Smith. With nearly 2,000 more rushing yards than Walter Payton and far surpassing Derrick Henry, he might have claimed this honor even before Henry reached 9,502 rushing yards. Wearing the number 22 jersey for the Dallas Cowboys, Smith left his mark with 11 consecutive seasons of 1,000-yard rushes, making him an icon of perseverance and strength.
He wasn’t just Dallas’s reliable workhorse but also one of the few players to receive over 400 touches in four different seasons and made it onto the 10-year list with at least 300 touches. Beyond being a steady machine on the field, Smith was a vivid legend with 8 Pro Bowl selections and 3 Super Bowl championships, embodying enduring greatness and relentless competitive spirit.
Throughout his career, Emmitt Smith made a strong impact with 18,355 rushing yards, 164 rushing touchdowns, averaging 81.2 rushing yards per game and 4.2 yards per carry. Not only a rushing force, he also had 3,224 receiving yards, scoring 11 touchdowns through the air, and even one more touchdown elsewhere.
7. Johnny Unitas
Looking at Johnny Unitas’s statistics might not fully elucidate why he’s regarded as one of the greatest players of all time in NFL history. However, to truly evaluate his value, one must consider the context in which he played, the 1950s-60s era when Unitas truly was an icon and revolutionized the quarterback position in football. He ushered in a new era in the passing game, laying the foundation for developments over the next 50-plus years in the quarterback position.
Unitas wasn’t just a great player but also Mr. Clutch, leading the Baltimore Colts to three NFL championships (1958-’59, ’68) and later the Super Bowl V title in 1971. He solidified his position by winning championships over multiple decades, with All-Pro selections in two separate decades. This demonstrates that only the truly greatest of all time could achieve such feats.
In his career, Johnny Unitas left his mark with 40,239 passing yards, a QB rating of 78.2, and 290 touchdowns. With a completion rate of 54.6%, 7.8 yards per attempt, he showcased his leadership and talent on the field. Additionally, with 1,777 rushing yards and 13 rushing touchdowns, he displayed both power and versatility in his game.
8. Deacon Jones
Deacon Jones wasn’t just one of the most fearsome players in NFL history but also an icon who left a profound impact on the game, influencing many generations of players thereafter. The term “sack” has become a crucial statistic today, stemming from Jones’s dominance in a Los Angeles Rams uniform, necessitating the creation of a new term to describe what he was doing on the field.
Jones’s strength and skills created a ripple effect in football, driving the game’s development for decades to come. While there are no official statistics on his sack count throughout his career, Jones is known for his terrifying ability to sack opponents. This not only instilled fear in his direct opponents but also created a societal effect, as managers and coaches had to alter their strategies to deal with Deacon Jones’s power and impact.
With two NFL Defensive Player of the Year honors and leading in sacks for multiple years, Jones demonstrated his excellence and undeniable authority. Three seasons with over 20 sacks and one season with 19 sacks are just a small part of his impressive career. Notably, each of these seasons occurred in just 14 games played, showcasing his efficiency and remarkable impact in every game. Deacon Jones wasn’t just a great player but also an icon, someone who changed the way the game was played and evaluated for many decades to come.
9. Randy Moss
There are some who like to compare Tyreek Hill to Randy Moss, but the truth is no comparison can be entirely accurate. Moss, standing at 6 foot 4, possessed a unique blend of speed and exceptional catching ability, creating a power and a series of records undeniable in NFL history. During his peak from 1998 to 2003, Moss averaged 1,395.8 receiving yards per season and scored 77 touchdowns in 96 games. He led the NFL in touchdown receptions five times and still holds the distinction as one of the most easily identifiable players in NFL history.
With career statistics like 982 receptions, 15,292 receiving yards, and 156 touchdowns, Moss is an icon of power and skill in football. Averaging 15.6 yards per reception and 1 touchdown per return, these numbers demonstrate his magical abilities on the field. Moss wasn’t just a great player but also a game-changer, with his influence extending for decades afterward, highlighting the changes in how the wide receiver position was played and evaluated in football.
Compared to Moss, Tyreek Hill, though immensely talented and known for his speed and ability to become a game-changer, still falls short in stature and power compared to Moss. However, both have played important roles in NFL history, each bringing their own unique traits and undeniable contributions to the game’s development.
10. Ray Lewis
Beloved in Baltimore, Ray Lewis wasn’t just one of the greatest defensive players in NFL history but also a symbol of unwavering perseverance and relentless strength. Selected with the 26th overall pick in the 1996 NFL Draft, Lewis quickly made his mark in professional football circles. He earned Second Team All-Pro honors in his second season, and from there, his career continued to soar.
Standing at 6 foot 1, Lewis wasn’t a giant, but he proved that strength and fighting spirit can overcome any challenge. He racked up 12 Pro Bowl selections, showcasing the respect and admiration of peers and fans alike. Lewis also won two NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards and was named the Super Bowl XXXV MVP, shining bright in his illustrious career.
However, not just a superb player, Ray Lewis brought Baltimore a fierce leadership style that no one could replicate. With unwavering commitment and strong leadership spirit, he became a symbol of confidence and mental strength within the Baltimore Ravens lineup.
In his career, Ray Lewis recorded 1,568 solo tackles, 99 assists, 96 pass deflections, 41.5 sacks, 40 quarterback hits, 31 interceptions, 19 forced fumbles, and 3 defensive touchdowns. These numbers are just a fraction of his impressive impact and contributions to football. Ray Lewis wasn’t just a player but also an icon, representing perseverance and passion in the game he loved.
Conclude
Above, we have identified who is the best player in NFL history. Identifying the greatest player in NFL history is a daunting task, with many outstanding candidates having contributed to the legend of the sport. Each person can have their own opinion on who they think is the greatest, based on their criteria and personal perception of greatness in American football. However, on that list, they are not only excellent players but also symbols of strength, wisdom and patience in sports. Instead of seeking a single answer to this question, we should respect and admire the contributions of all of the great players who have made NFL history, each of whom has contributed his or her part to a unique and important story in the development of the sport!
