The Best Underdog Stories in NFL History
The NFL lives for moments when teams no one believed in crash through expectations and rewrite history. These underdog stories are gritty, against-the-odds triumphs that electrify fans and humble giants. Let’s check out the unforgettable upsets that proved heart and hustle can topple even the mightiest in football.
Vince Papale
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Everyone at the stadium figured this guy wouldn’t make it past tryouts. But teacher-turned-special-teamer Vince Papale made the Eagles roster at 30 with zero college football experience. Inspired Invincible got a Hollywood ending and still gives motivational talks today.
Darious Williams
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You wouldn’t blink if someone told you Darious Williams went undrafted. What’s wild is that he got cut by UAB before that. He kept grinding, signed with the Rams, and later picked off Tom Brady in the playoffs.
Kurt Warner
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After stocking shelves at a grocery store in Iowa, Kurt Warner lit up the NFL. He went from the Arena League to NFL MVP and Super Bowl champ with the Rams. He QB’d the “Greatest Show on Turf.” Fairy tales in football are rare, but his story came with confetti.
Doug Williams
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Before Doug Williams made history, most headlines focused on everything but football. Then he showed up to Super Bowl XXII and torched Denver with a 35-point second quarter. He’s the first Black quarterback to start—and win—a Super Bowl. His 340 yards and four touchdowns earned him an MVP award. Washington fans smile on hearing his name.
J.J. Taylor
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At just 5’5″, J.J. Taylor didn’t fit the mold of a typical NFL running back, but that never stopped him. After being undrafted in 2020, he landed with the Patriots and earned a spot through sheer determination. Though used sparingly, his quickness and low center of gravity caught attention in limited snaps. Taylor may still be fighting for a larger role, but his journey is a reminder that passion and persistence can open doors, no matter your size.
Shaq Barrett
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Shaq Barrett went from practice squad invisibility to sack king in 2019 with nineteen and a half takedowns. Not even Madden ratings saw that coming. He helped anchor a Bucs defense that steamrolled through a Super Bowl. It turns out he needed a chance, as well as quarterbacks who hold the ball long enough.
Darren Sproles
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Darren Sproles heard it all—too short and too small. He spent time with three teams during his 14-year NFL career that included nearly 20,000 all-purpose yards. That’s the fifth-most in history. He proved people wrong and left cornerbacks spinning and punters praying.
Giants
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No one gave the 2007 Giants a shot against the 18-0 Patriots. Then came helmet catches, relentless pressure, and Eli Manning pulling off magic tricks. The final score was 17-14, and perfection was denied. The Patriots walked in invincible; the Giants walked out legendary.
Eric Berry
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Stage 3 Hodgkin’s lymphoma would’ve ended most careers, but Eric Berry doesn’t do “most.” Less than a year after his diagnosis, he came back as an All-Pro safety. Pick-sixes, game-saving tackles—he did it all. His comeback wasn’t about stats but about spirit.
Pierre Garçon
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Born in Haiti, he played at Division III Mount Union and then made NFL defenders miserable. Pierre Garçon turned raw speed and grit into a legit career, including a league-leading 113 catches in 2013. He didn’t need a fancy football pedigree because he brought the fire, the footwork, and more than a few broken coverage schemes.
Frank Reich
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The Oilers had a 32-point lead and already smelled champagne. Then, backup quarterback Frank Reich engineered the biggest comeback in NFL history. No exaggeration—this 1993 playoff game flipped in real time with Buffalo 41, Houston 38 in overtime. He became a legend that afternoon, and Houston still hasn’t emotionally recovered.
Boston Scott
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Much is not said about a 5’6″ sixth-rounder from Louisiana Tech… until Boston Scott dances through the Giants’ defense again. He somehow morphs into a Hall of Famer every time he plays New York. Eagles fans jokingly call him the “Giant Killer,” and honestly, the stats back it up.
The Mile High Miracle
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With 44 seconds left and down by seven, fans were sweating bullets in the freezing Denver air. Then came Joe Flacco’s 70-yard moonball to Jacoby Jones—The Mile High Miracle was born. The Ravens stunned the Broncos, won in double OT, and rolled to a Super Bowl win.
Nick Foles
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Philly’s backup quarterback beat Tom Brady in the Super Bowl and caught a touchdown pass doing it. The “Philly Special” became meme-worthy magic, but Nick Foles kept cool, threw for 373 yards, and took home MVP. This was flawless execution.
Raheem Mostert
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Six teams waived him, and he was bag-packing his NFL dream. Then Raheem Mostert exploded in the 2019 NFC Championship with 220 rushing yards and four touchdowns. The dude went from roster filler to playoff wrecking ball. Even the Packers looked like they’d never heard of him.