The Best Football Legend Every U.S. State Has Ever Produced
Football is a way of life in America, and some of the greatest players to ever grace the gridiron have hailed from every corner of the country. Here’s a look at the legendary football figures from each state who shaped the game and captured the hearts of fans everywhere.
Alabama: Terrell Owens
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Terrell Owens dominated the position with over 15,900 receiving yards and 153 touchdowns. He was a six-time Pro Bowler and made the Hall of Fame in 2018. Sure, he stirred up plenty of headlines off the field, but between the lines, there were few who could match his explosiveness.
Alaska: Mark Schlereth
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One of the few Alaskans to make a lasting NFL impact, Mark “Stink” Schlereth played 12 seasons and won three Super Bowls—one with Washington and two with Denver. Post-retirement, he carved out a second career as a popular TV and radio analyst.
Arizona: Randall McDaniel
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Randall McDaniel made 12 straight Pro Bowl appearances as an offensive guard for the Minnesota Vikings, which still ties the record for most consecutive selections. He was so athletic for his size that he ran a 4.6-second 40-yard dash at nearly 290 pounds. He also became a schoolteacher after football.
Arkansas: Willie Roaf
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Sure, Willie Roaf was big, but he was also balanced, smooth, and technically sound, which made him a nightmare for pass rushers. As a native of Pine Bluff, he earned 11 Pro Bowl nods and paved the way for running backs in New Orleans and Kansas City. He joined the Hall of Fame in 2012.
California: Tom Brady
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Tom Brady came out of San Mateo and turned a sixth-round draft pick into the most decorated career in NFL history. He earned seven Super Bowl wins, five Super Bowl MVPs, and more passing yards and touchdowns than anyone else. It’s not an exaggeration to say he redefined greatness.
Colorado: Christian McCaffrey
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In 2019, Christian McCaffrey joined a very exclusive club by rushing and receiving for over 1,000 yards in the same season. He’s been a top weapon for both the Panthers and 49ers, and his vision, route running, and hands have made him one of the most complete offensive players.
Connecticut: Dwight Freeney
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Dwight Freeney’s lethal spin move traumatized quarterbacks. He racked up 125.5 sacks and helped Indy win Super Bowl XLI. Freeney was selected for seven Pro Bowls and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2023. His edge rush technique is still studied by young defenders today.
Delaware: Brian O’Neill
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Brian O’Neill isn’t from a traditional football powerhouse state, but he’s made a strong impression as the starting right tackle for the Minnesota Vikings. After being drafted in 2018, he’s already been to a Pro Bowl and is known for clocking a sub-5.0-second 40-yard dash at 297 pounds.
Florida: Deion Sanders
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When you think “Prime Time,” you think of Deion Sanders. He was a cornerback, returner, and all-around game-changer. He had eight Pro Bowls, two Super Bowls, and a unique ability to shut down receivers.
Georgia: Tyreek Hill
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Nicknamed “The Cheetah” for obvious reasons, Tyreek Hill might be the fastest player in football history. He broke out with the Chiefs and has over 10,000 receiving yards and counting. He’s also a Super Bowl champion and multiple-time Pro Bowler.
Hawaii: DeForest Buckner
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DeForest Buckner has quietly become one of the top defensive linemen in the NFL. He was drafted seventh overall by the 49ers in 2016 and now anchors the Colts’ defense and earned All-Pro honors in 2020. At 6’7″ with a massive wingspan, he disrupts passing lanes and dominates in the trenches.
Idaho: Larry Wilson
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Larry Wilson grew up in Rigby and became one of the best safeties of his generation. He played for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1960 to 1972 and finished with 52 interceptions. Wilson popularized the safety blitz and once played a game with two broken hands.
Illinois: Dick Butkus
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Dick Butkus defined what it meant to play linebacker in the NFL. He made eight Pro Bowls and five All-Pro teams in just nine seasons with the Bears. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979 and is still the standard for defensive toughness.
Indiana: Rod Woodson
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Rod Woodson did a little bit of everything and did it all well. He had 71 career interceptions, returned 12 for touchdowns, and even handled kick and punt returns early in his career. He won a Super Bowl with the Ravens and was named Defensive Player of the Year in 1993.
Iowa: Kurt Warner
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Kurt Warner’s story is straight out of a movie, because it literally became one. He went from bagging groceries in Cedar Falls to winning a Super Bowl and two MVPs. Warner also led the “Greatest Show on Turf” with the Rams and threw for over 32,000 yards.
Kansas: Barry Sanders
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In just 10 seasons with the Lions, Barry Sanders ran for over 15,000 yards and scored 99 touchdowns. He won the 1997 MVP and earned All-Pro honors in almost the entirety of his career. Then, at age 30, he walked away from the game and left fans wondering what more he could’ve done.
Kentucky: Dermontti Dawson
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Dermontti Dawson was one of the best centers the NFL has seen. He played 13 seasons with the Steelers before earning seven Pro Bowl selections and six first-team All-Pro honors. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2012.
Louisiana: Peyton Manning
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Peyton Manning grew up in New Orleans as part of football royalty, but he made his own mark with five MVPs, two Super Bowl wins, and over 71,000 passing yards. He was famous for dissecting defenses at the line of scrimmage, and his name is all over the NFL record books.
Maine: Al Harris
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Cornerback Al Harris spent most of his career with the Green Bay Packers. He made two Pro Bowls and is best known for his walk-off pick-six against the Seahawks in the 2004 playoffs. He brought intensity to every matchup with his signature dreadlocks and physical style.
Maryland: NaVorro Bowman
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NaVorro Bowman was the heart of the 49ers’ defense during their early 2010s playoff runs and is best known as the sideline-to-sideline linebacker with great instincts. His 89-yard pick-six against the Falcons prominently sealed the final game at Candlestick Park.
Massachusetts: Howie Long
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Howie Long became a Hall of Fame defensive end for the Raiders. He was an eight-time Pro Bowler and won a Super Bowl in 1984. After football, Long transitioned into acting and broadcasting, but he’ll always be remembered as one of the Raiders’ toughest defenders.
Michigan: Antonio Gates
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Gates was born in Detroit and never played college football—instead, he was a standout basketball player. That didn’t stop him from becoming one of the greatest tight ends ever, with 116 career touchdowns and over 11,000 receiving yards. He formed a legendary duo with Philip Rivers in San Diego.
Minnesota: Larry Fitzgerald
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Minneapolis native Larry Fitzgerald spent his entire 17-year career with the Arizona Cardinals. He ranks second all-time in receiving yards (17,492) and was selected to 11 Pro Bowls. Known for his sure hands, quiet leadership, and sportsmanship, Fitzgerald was as respected off the field as he was productive on it.
Mississippi: Brett Favre
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Hailing from Kiln, Brett Favre became the first NFL player to pass for 70,000 yards, 500 touchdowns, and start over 300 games in a row. He won three MVPs and a Super Bowl with the Packers and finished his career with stints in New York and Minnesota.
Missouri: Kellen Winslow
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Kellen Winslow was a revolutionary tight end for the San Diego Chargers during the 1980s and part of the iconic “Air Coryell” offense. In 1981, he delivered one of the greatest playoff performances—13 catches, 166 yards, and a game-saving blocked field goal against the Dolphins, all while battling dehydration and injury.
Montana: Pat Donovan
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Pat Donovan came out of Helena and quietly built a strong NFL résumé with the Dallas Cowboys during their powerhouse years in the 1970s and early ’80s. He was part of a unit that protected Roger Staubach and helped Dallas maintain its reputation as “America’s Team.”
Nebraska: Danny Woodhead
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Woodhead might not have looked the part at 5’8”, but he shone with elite quickness and football IQ. After a record-breaking college career at Chadron State, he went undrafted but found NFL success with the Jets, Patriots, and Chargers. He was a key piece in New England’s run to Super Bowl XLVI.
Nevada: Steven Jackson
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Las Vegas native Steven Jackson was a true workhorse running back. He was drafted 24th overall in 2004 and became the Rams’ all-time leading rusher with over 10,100 yards. He had eight straight 1,000-yard seasons despite playing on mostly struggling teams.
New Hampshire: Greg Landry
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Greg Landry was a first-round pick in 1968 and had a solid 15-year NFL career. He brought mobility to the quarterback position during an era when that was rare. In 1976, he won NFL Comeback Player of the Year and even later served as an offensive coordinator in the league.
New Jersey: Franco Harris
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Best known for the “Immaculate Reception” in the 1972 playoffs, Franco Harris rushed for over 12,000 yards in his career and scored 91 touchdowns. He helped Pittsburgh win four Super Bowls and was named Super Bowl IX MVP. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990.
New Mexico: Ronnie Lott
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Ronnie Lott grew into one of the most feared defenders in NFL history. He won four Super Bowls with the 49ers and was a 10-time Pro Bowler. He might have started his career as a corner, but he transitioned to safety without missing a beat.
New York: Rob Gronkowski
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A four-time Super Bowl champion, Rob Gronkowski caught 92 touchdowns in his career and was named to the NFL 100 All-Time Team. He was nearly unstoppable in the red zone and had elite chemistry with Tom Brady, both in New England and Tampa Bay.
North Carolina: Bruce Matthews
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Matthews spent most of his career in Houston and Tennessee and is one of the most versatile linemen in league history. He can play all five positions on the offensive line at a high level. His expertise has earned him 14 Pro Bowls, a record for offensive linemen.
North Dakota: Gary Larsen
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Gary Larsen was part of the fearsome “Purple People Eaters” defensive line with the Minnesota Vikings in the late ’60s and early ’70s. His ability to clog the middle and hold his ground against the run made him a key piece of one of the most dominant defensive units in NFL history.
Ohio: Charles Woodson
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Charles Woodson won the Heisman Trophy at Michigan and became a Hall of Fame defensive back in the NFL. He played 18 seasons, earned nine Pro Bowl selections, and won a Super Bowl with the Packers. He’s also the only defensive player to intercept at least one pass in different seasons.
Oklahoma: Wes Welker
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Though initially undrafted, Welker eventually became one of the NFL’s most productive slot receivers. He was a key piece of the Patriots’ high-powered offense in the late 2000s, with five 100-catch seasons and over 9,900 receiving yards, and led the league in receptions three times.
Oregon: Jerry Smith
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Jerry Smith was born in Eugene and played 13 seasons for Washington. He caught 60 touchdowns—an NFL record for tight ends at the time of his retirement in 1977. Smith was known for his route running and hands and helped Washington reach Super Bowl VII.
Pennsylvania: Joe Montana
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Joe Montana is the original blueprint for a quarterback who is calm under pressure. He won four Super Bowls with the 49ers and was named Super Bowl MVP three times. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2000 and is still often mentioned in the GOAT debate.
Rhode Island: Al Del Greco
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Al Del Greco played for the Packers, Cardinals, and Titans for long stints and kicked in Super Bowl XXXIV. He made over 77% of his field goals in an era when that number was well above average.
South Carolina: Stephon Gilmore
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Stephon Gilmore has made a name for himself as one of the top cornerbacks of the past decade. He won the NFL Defensive Player of the Year award in 2019 and helped lead the Patriots to a win in Super Bowl LIII.
South Dakota: Adam Vinatieri
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The NFL’s all-time leading scorer at 2,673 points is none other than Adam Vinatieri. He made three Super Bowl-winning kicks (including two walk-offs) for the Patriots and later added another ring with the Colts. Vinatieri played 24 seasons and was still hitting game-winners into his mid-40s.
Tennessee: Reggie White
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Reggie White is one of the most dominant defensive players. He recorded 198 sacks—the second-most in NFL history—and was a two-time Defensive Player of the Year. He won a Super Bowl with the Packers and was the first major free agent to sign under the NFL’s new system in 1993.
Texas: Drew Brees
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Drew Brees holds numerous passing records, including career completions (7,142) and passing yards (80,358), until Tom Brady broke them. He even led the Saints to a Super Bowl win in 2010. His precision and leadership helped rebuild New Orleans on and off the field after Hurricane Katrina.
Utah: Steve Young
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After taking over for Joe Montana in San Francisco, Young became one of the most dynamic quarterbacks of the ’90s. He won two MVPs and a Super Bowl MVP in Super Bowl XXIX. He retired with a career passer rating of 96.8—best in NFL history at the time.
Vermont: Steve Wisniewski
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Rutland’s own Steve Wisniewski was all about consistency and grit. He spent his entire 13-year career with the Raiders and earned eight Pro Bowl selections. As a durable and nasty offensive guard, he started 206 games and was part of some of the league’s most physical offensive lines during the ’90s.
Virginia: Lawrence Taylor
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Lawrence Taylor changed the way defense was played in the NFL. He had 10 Pro Bowls, two Super Bowl rings, and the rare distinction of winning NFL MVP as a defensive player in 1986. Offensive coordinators were forced to change their blocking schemes just to deal with him.
Washington: John Elway
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A product of Port Angeles, John Elway became the face of the Denver Broncos for 16 seasons. He threw for over 51,000 yards, went to five Super Bowls, and won two back-to-back to close out his career. He was known for his rocket arm and fourth-quarter comebacks, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.
West Virginia: Randy Moss
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Randy Moss caught 156 touchdowns, had over 15,000 receiving yards, and still holds the rookie TD record (17). He was also a six-time Pro Bowler and Hall of Famer known for spectacular catches and deep-threat dominance. “You got Moss’d” became a household phrase for a reason.
Wisconsin: John Matuszak
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John Matuszak was the Raiders’ No. 1 overall pick in 1973 and won two Super Bowls. At 6’8″, he was a towering presence on the defensive line. After football, he succeeded as an actor, most notably playing Sloth in The Goonies.
Wyoming: Chris Cooley
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Chris Cooley was a fan-favorite tight end for Washington. As a two-time Pro Bowler, he had 429 receptions and nearly 5,000 receiving yards in his career. Cooley was also known for his quirky personality and transitioned into broadcasting and art after retiring.