The NFL is the most popular sports league in America. NFL team schedules are also one of the most competitive and prestigious leagues in the world, with players competing against other teams and their own teammates. The league has been around since 1920, so it’s only natural that they would debate who the best players have been over time. So here are the picks for the 5 best NFL players of all time!
Joe Montana
Joe Montana is the only player to have won four Super Bowls and he was also the first quarterback to throw over 400 touchdowns. He was named NFL MVP three times, was selected as an All-Pro nine times and earned nine Pro Bowl selections.
In addition to his achievements on the field, Montana had a reputation for being one of the best leaders in the game. When he came into San Francisco as a rookie in 1979, he took over for veteran Steve DeBerg who head coach Bill Walsh had brought in as an emergency replacement for injured starter Jim Plunkett.
Jerry Rice
Jerry Rice is the best wide receiver of all time, playing for the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders from 1985 to 2004, totaling 1,549 receptions for 22,895 yards and 197 touchdowns during his 20-year career. While playing with the 49ers, he won three Super Bowls (XXIII, XXIV and XXIX), was a 12-time Pro Bowl selection and an eight-time First Team All-Pro selection. Rice holds nearly every major receiving record in NFL history: career receptions (1,549), seasons leading league in receptions (13), career receiving yards per game (83.7) and single-season total receiving yards (1,848).
Peyton Manning
It’s hard to argue that Peyton Manning is one of the best quarterbacks in NFL history. He’s a five-time MVP, two-time Super Bowl champion, and Super Bowl MVP. It’s also worth noting that he set NFL records for passing yards (71,940) and touchdowns (539).
Tom Brady
Tom Brady, the 5-time Super Bowl champion quarterback of the New England Patriots, is one of the greatest athletes to ever play in any sport.
He’s also a pretty good model. Brady has been named NFL MVP twice, has won four Super Bowls (two against Eli Manning and one against Peyton Manning), and is one of only three quarterbacks to win five or more titles in their career (along with Joe Montana and Terry Bradshaw). And he did all this at age 40—the oldest player to ever win a Super Bowl title.
Jim Brown
Brown is the only player in NFL history to average over 100 yards per game for his career, with a record of 5.22 yards per carry. Brown was a member of the NFL’s 75th Anniversary All-Time Team and Pro Football Hall of Fame, as well as being a member of both the College Football Hall of Fame and National High School Hall of Fame (a rare feat).
It’s been a long time since football has been at the forefront of American culture, but it’s clear that these five players are still the best at what they do. DIRECTV STREAM lets you watch your favorites anytime. They paved the way for future generations of NFL players and will continue to be remembered by their fans for years to come.
Article by Born Realist