List of Famous American Football Players

Jordy Ray Nelson is a former American football wide receiver. He played college football at Kansas State, where he received All-America honors, and was drafted by the Green Bay Packers of the National Football League (NFL) in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. During his tenure in Green Bay, he was regarded by sports analysts as one of the elite wide receivers in the NFL, and won Super Bowl XLV with the team over the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2010 season. After spending 10 seasons in Green Bay, he played one year with the Oakland Raiders before announcing his retirement.

Adam John Thielen is an American football wide receiver for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Minnesota State and signed with the Vikings as an undrafted free agent in 2013. Thielen holds several NFL records, including eight straight games over 100+ yards receiving, and 74 receptions in the first half of a season.

Blaine Williamson Gabbert is an American football quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Missouri before leaving early for the 2011 NFL Draft after his junior year. He was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the first round with the 10th overall pick. He has also played for the San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals, and Tennessee Titans. Gabbert became a Super Bowl champion with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers after they won Super Bowl LV over the Kansas City Chiefs.

DeMarcus Omar Ware is a former American football outside linebacker. He played college football at Troy as a defensive end and was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys with the 11th overall pick in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft. After spending nine seasons with the Cowboys, Ware departed in 2013 as the franchise's all-time leader in quarterback sacks with 117. Ware then played three seasons for the Denver Broncos, with whom he won Super Bowl 50 over the Carolina Panthers. After the 2016 season with the Broncos, he announced his retirement from the NFL. In 2017, he signed a one-day contract with Dallas to retire as a Cowboy. In 2018, the Broncos hired Ware as a pass-rush consultant.

Jonathan Owens is an American football safety for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Missouri Western State.

Jason Dewande Bell is an American former professional football player who was a cornerback in the National Football League (NFL) for the Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans and New York Giants. Bell played college football for the UCLA Bruins.

Jamie Lee Collins, Sr. is an American football linebacker for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2013 NFL Draft. The Patriots traded him to the Cleveland Browns in the middle of the 2016 season, but the Patriots resigned him as a free agent prior to the 2019 season. He played college football at Southern Mississippi.

Eric Berry is a former American football safety. He played college football at Tennessee, where he was a two-time unanimous All-American and recognized as the best collegiate defensive back in the country. He was then drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs fifth overall in the 2010 NFL Draft. Berry has been voted to the Pro Bowl five times and has been named to the First Team All-Pro three times.

Whitney Mercilus is an American football outside linebacker for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Illinois and was recognized as a unanimous All-American. He was selected by the Texans in the first round of the 2012 NFL Draft, and was considered one of the best defensive end prospects for 2012.

Jonathan Polynice Vilma is a former American football linebacker and current Fox NFL analyst. He played college football at the University of Miami, winning a National Championship in 2001. He would go on to be drafted by the New York Jets in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft. Vilma won a Super Bowl championship with the New Orleans Saints. He serves as a color analyst for the NFL on Fox. He previously worked at ESPN as a college football commentator and studio analyst. Vilma was elected as a member of the Orange Bowl Committee in 2018.