Greatest 'Athlete' To Play American Football
Success in American Pro Football requires excelling in a large range of fitness areas. The history of this sport is full of exceptional athletes combined with exceptional skills. A poll for The Greatest Pro Football Athlete of All Time was conducted on the ESPN Sport Science website in 2013. The voting was based on the best athlete (not player) who has a combination of strength, speed, endurance, quickness, durability and the other attributes that make an athlete elite.
See more about the ESPN Sport Science poll to determine the Greatest Athlete of All Time. They couldn't narrow this list down to five as they did for the other sports, there is so many quality players to choose from. See also our discussion of the greatest ever American football player (includes both skill and fitness).
Nominees
Who is the greatest Greatest Pro Football Athlete of all time?
- Jim Brown — Brown averaged 104.3 rushing yards per game, the most in NFL history. He led the league in rushing in eight of his nine seasons. A great all-around athlete, at Syracuse he earned 10 varsity letters in four different sports (basketball, football, lacrosse, track).
- John Elway — Elway ranks in top 5 in NFL history in career pass attempts, pass completions and passing yards. He ran more than 3,000 yards with 300 touchdown passes in his career.
- Tony Gonzalez — 13 career Pro Bowl selections. He had the most career receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns for NFL tight ends. Second in NFL history with 1,242 career receptions.
- Calvin Johnson — he set NFL record with 1,964 receiving yards in a single season (2012). Only player in NFL history with eight straight 100-yard receiving games.
- Joe Montana — 3-time Super Bowl MVP.
- Adrian Peterson — Ran for 2,097 yards during 2012 season. In high school he ran 10.33 secs for the 100m.
- Jerry Rice — NFL record holder in career receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns. 13 career Pro Bowl selections.
- Barry Sanders — One of three players in NFL history with more than 15,000 rushing yards.
- Lawrence Taylor — Only player to win AP Defensive Player of the Year three times.
- Reggie White — Second in NFL history with 198 career sacks. 13 career Pro Bowl selections, tied for second most all time.
- Steve Young — 43 career rushing touchdowns, most by a quarterback in NFL history. Third all-time in career rushing yards by a quarterback. During his senior year at High School, he was co-captain of the football, basketball and baseball teams.
And the winner is ...
Jim Brown
Related Pages
- Our discussion of the greatest ever football player.
- More about American Football (Gridiron)
- The ESPN Sport Science poll to determine the Greatest Athlete of All Time.
Any comments, suggestions, or corrections? Please let us know.
Old Comments
Commenting is closed on this page, though you can read some previous comments below which may answer some of your questions.
- Greatest ATHLETE of all time within the football world is not on this list. it's bo jackson. played professional in 2 sports, fastest combine ever recorded still to this day and can withstand 3,000 pounds of force coming at him. his reaction time was outstanding considering he played baseball and swung the bat that great. He could play so many sports and even was a decathlon champion in high school. He may not be the best football player of all time, but might be the best pure athlete that played professional football. (from mark, Mar 2013)
- Jim brown is a good choice but one man was better! Jim thorpe. He was the ultimate player and person u could count on to win a game! At any sport! He will always be my #1 favorite! (from richard sztajer jr., Mar 2013)
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