Are you an NFL fan wondering who the most important players of all time are? Perhaps you are new to the sport and looking for some inspiration? Maybe you are looking to place a bet and want to know more about NFL Player Props? Whatever your reason might be, we have the answer for you!
We know how overwhelming it can be to navigate the waters of the NFL and get the answers that you want. There is so much information out there; it can be difficult to find out information and leaves you stressed with no answers.
Well, no more! Today we are here with the answers you need. Keep reading to find out who the most important NFL players of all time are.
Most important NFL players of all time
Below is a list of the most important NFL players of all time. These players have all been recognized for their outstanding performance or any way they may have changed the course of the NFL. Keep reading to learn more about them.
- Jerry Rice
Starting our list today is Jerry Rice, a three-time Super Bowl champion! Rice holds the NFL records in all-purpose touchdowns (208), total receiving yards (23,546), total receptions (1.549), and touchdown receptions (197)! He is the only player in NFL history with total receiving yards of more than 20,000, which we think makes him pretty important!
From 1985 to 2004, Rice was a popular name in the NFL and attracted a large fanbase. He is still considered one of the most important players in the NFL and is a name we are sure to hear for many years to come.
- Tom Brady
When you think about the NFL, it’s hard to do so without thinking about Tom Brady! The player has made NFL history time and time again and shows no sign of stopping, despite his age! Brady has picked up countless records and awards throughout his career, including being named Super Bowl MVP a whopping four times!
In 2021, he won his 7th Super Bowl at 43 years old, taking his team, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, to Super Bowl champions in his first year with them! He was part of the first team to appear in a Super Bowl in its home stadium and win! Brady is a true icon and proof that age is just a number!
- Jim Brown
If there ever was a legend in the NFL, it’s Jim Brown! Playing from 1957-1969, Brown was a true champion. He was a Bro Bowl invitee every season he was in the league and won Most Valuable Player three times! In eight out of the nine seasons he played, he held the league in rushing yards, cementing his name as one of the NFL’s most important players.
Jim Brown is another name that will go down in history, recognized for his dedication and outstanding performance in the NFL.
- Joe Montana
Quarterback Joe Montana was a calm and collected man that performed brilliantly during his time in the NFL! He bagged four Super Bowl titles and three Super Bowl MVPs for his performance! What Montana is most known for is his ability to remain calm under pressure.
‘Joe Cool,’ as he was known, never let the pressure of the game and results impact his performance. Instead, he kept his cool consistently and saw outstanding results that earned him a place on Football’s 100 Greatest Players, and rightly so!
- Lawrence Taylor
Taylor, or the first L.T., played from 1981 to 1993 and changed the NFL! He won many awards in rookie seasons and appeared in the Pro Bowl ten times during his career! He went on to win two Super Bowls, too, cementing his name as an excellent player.
He also changed the way defense, linebackers, and pass-rushing were played! These changes make him one of the NFL’s most important players of all time and show how one man can implement change.
- Dick Butkus
Completing our list today is linebacker Dick Butkus, a player that consistently ranks as the greatest NFL player of all time. Butkus has eight Pro Bowl appearances and bagged the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award twice. He is known as one of the greatest and most intimidating linebackers in NFL history!
Butkus is a household name, and one we are sure won’t be forgotten any time soon!
Final word
And there you have it, the most important NFL players of all time! These players brought something different to the field and performed outstandingly, inspiring others to pick up a ball and play. These players are sure to be remembered for years to come and will go down as some of the greatest players the NFL has ever seen.