1.
National Football League
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The National Football League is a professional American football league consisting of 32 teams, divided equally between the National Football Conference and the American Football Conference. The NFL is one of the four professional sports leagues in North America. The NFLs 17-week regular season runs from the week after Labor Day to the week after Christmas, with each team playing 16 games, the NFL was formed in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association before renaming itself the National Football League for the 1922 season. The NFL agreed to merge with the American Football League in 1966, and the first Super Bowl was held at the end of that season, the merger was completed in 1970. Today, the NFL has the highest average attendance of any sports league in the world and is the most popular sports league in the United States. S. The NFLs executive officer is the commissioner, who has authority in governing the league. The team with the most NFL championships is the Green Bay Packers with thirteen, the current NFL champions are the New England Patriots, who defeated the Atlanta Falcons 34–28 in Super Bowl LI. Another meeting held on September 17,1920 resulted in the renaming of the league to the American Professional Football Association, the league hired Jim Thorpe as its first president, and consisted of 14 teams. Only two of these teams, the Decatur Staleys and the Chicago Cardinals, remain, the first event occurred on September 26,1920 when the Rock Island Independents defeated the non-league St. Paul Ideals 48–0 at Douglas Park. On October 3,1920, the first full week of league play occurred, the following season resulted in the Chicago Staleys controversially winning the title over the Buffalo All-Americans. In 1922, the APFA changed its name to the National Football League, in 1932, the season ended with the Chicago Bears and the Portsmouth Spartans tied for first in the league standings. This method had used since the leagues creation in 1920. The league quickly determined that a game between Chicago and Portsmouth was needed to decide the leagues champion. Playing with altered rules to accommodate the playing field, the Bears won the game 9–0. Fan interest in the de facto championship game led the NFL, beginning in 1933, the 1934 season also marked the first of 12 seasons in which African Americans were absent from the league. The de facto ban was rescinded in 1946, following public pressure, the NFL was always the foremost professional football league in the United States, it nevertheless faced a large number of rival professional leagues through the 1930s and 1940s. Rival leagues included at least three separate American Football Leagues and the All-America Football Conference, on top of regional leagues of varying caliber. Three NFL teams trace their histories to these leagues, including the Los Angeles Rams
2.
One Washington Park
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One Washington Park is a high rise office building located on Washington Park at 1 Washington Street in Newark, New Jersey. Among the tallest buildings in the city, it is best known as the home of Rutgers Business School, one Washington Park was originally built by Verizon to serve as the local network operations center in 1983. Marc E. Bersons Fidelco Group purchased the building for $26.5 million in 2004, the Washington Park light rail station is also nearby. One Washington Park is home to Rutgers full-time and Executive MBA programs, MQF program, the flex time MBA as well as the New Brunswick undergraduate programs are located on Rutgers Livingston Campus in New Brunswick, New Jersey. RBS facilities in 1 Washington Park include classrooms, lecture halls, conference rooms, student and faculty lounges, offices, and a University Police substation. The new 3 story RBS entrance atrium features a ticker tape, lecture halls, a trading floor, student lounge and study spaces, a rooftop garden. One Park Bistro in the lobby of the building is owned by the university, in 2011, it was announced the Rutgers–Newark campus would further expand around Washington Park, converting the former American Insurance Company Building into graduate student housing. List of tallest buildings in Newark Official website audible. com building web page Rutgers building web page 1WP Youtube video
3.
Newark, New Jersey
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Newark is the most populous city in the U. S. state of New Jersey and the seat of Essex County. For 2015, the Census Bureaus Population Estimates Program calculated a population of 281,944, Newark is the second largest city in the New York metropolitan area, located approximately 8 miles west of lower Manhattan. Settled in 1666 by Puritans from New Haven Colony, Newark is one of the oldest European cities in the United States and its location at the mouth of the Passaic River, has made the citys waterfront an integral part of the Port of New York and New Jersey. Today, Port Newark-Elizabeth is the container shipping terminal of the busiest seaport on the American East Coast. In addition, Newark Liberty International Airport was the first municipal airport in the United States. Several leading companies have their headquarters in Newark, including Prudential, PSEG, Panasonic Corporation of North America, Audible. com, IDT Corporation, the U. S. District Court for the District of New Jersey sits in the city as well. Local cultural venues include the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark Symphony Hall, The Prudential Center and the Newark Museum. Newark is divided into five wards, the East, West, South, North and Central wards. Newarks Branch Brook Park is the oldest county park in the United States and is home to the nations largest collection of cherry blossom trees, Newark was settled in 1666 by Connecticut Puritans led by Robert Treat from the New Haven Colony. It was conceived as an assembly of the faithful, though this did not last for long as new settlers came with different ideas. On October 31,1693 it was organized as a New Jersey township based on the Newark Tract, Newark was granted a Royal charter on April 27,1713. It was incorporated on February 21,1798 by the New Jersey Legislatures Township Act of 1798, during its time as a township, portions were taken to form Springfield Township, Caldwell Township, Orange Township, Bloomfield Township and Clinton Township. Newark was reincorporated as a city on April 11,1836, replacing Newark Township, the previously independent Vailsburg borough was annexed by Newark on January 1,1905. In 1926, South Orange Township changed its name to Maplewood, as a result of this, a portion of Maplewood known as Ivy Hill was re-annexed to Newarks Vailsburg. During the American Revolutionary War British troops made several raids into the town, the city has experienced revitalization since the 1990s. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city had an area of 26.107 square miles. It has the third-smallest land area among the 100 most populous cities in the U. S. behind neighboring Jersey City and Hialeah, the citys altitude ranges from 0 in the east to approximately 230 feet above sea level in the western section of the city. Newark is essentially a large basin sloping towards the Passaic River, historically, Newarks high places have been its wealthier neighborhoods
4.
Matthew Stafford
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John Matthew Stafford is an American football quarterback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He was raised in Dallas, Texas, and attended Highland Park High School and he played college football at Georgia, and was drafted by the Lions first overall in the 2009 NFL Draft. Stafford also holds the NFL record for the most comeback wins in a season, Stafford was born in Tampa, Florida, to John and Margaret Stafford. He lived in Dunwoody, Georgia, while his father attended school at the University of Georgia. He was the eldest of five siblings and his family then moved to Dallas, Texas, and Stafford attended Highland Park High School with Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw. He was coached by Randy Allen and was considered to be one of the best high school quarterbacks in the United States in the Class of 2006. In 2005, he led his team to a perfect 15–0 record, during the playoff run, Stafford beat Ryan Malletts Texarkana Texas 38–31, as well as Jevan Sneads Stephenville 41–38. Stafford had over 4,000 yards passing despite not playing in the first three games of the due to a knee injury. Stafford received numerous accolades, including being named to the Parade All-America Team and he also won the MVP and Best Arm awards at the 2005 EA Sports Elite 11 Quarterback Camp and was named the 2005 EA Sports National Player of the Year. Regarded as a recruit by Rivals. com, Stafford was listed as the No.1 pro-style quarterback prospect in the class of 2006 by Rivals. com. Before he had started a game at the collegiate level, analyst Mel Kiper, Jr. predicted, correctly. Stafford wore number 7 at Georgia and he completed five of 12 passes for 102 yards and one touchdown in a Georgia spring game. Stafford debuted late in the opener of the 2006 season against Western Kentucky and went 3 of 5 passing for 40 yards. During the seasons third game, against South Carolina, starting quarterback Joe Tereshinski III was injured, although he completed just 8 of 19 passes for 171 yards and three interceptions, Georgia won the game, 18–0. Against University of Alabama Birmingham the following week, Stafford made his first collegiate start, victories over Colorado and Mississippi improved Georgias record to 5–0, but the heart of the conference schedule loomed. The rest of the season was up and down for Stafford, following home losses to both Tennessee and Vanderbilt, UGA head coach Mark Richt named Stafford the starter for the rest of the season ahead of Tereshinski. Stafford completed 20 of 32 passes for 267 yards and two touchdowns in a 27–24 win over Mississippi State, and was named the SEC Freshmen of the Week for his efforts, statistically, he had his best game of the season against the 5th-ranked Auburn Tigers. Stafford finished the game 14 of 20 for 219 yards and a touchdown, and added 83 rushing yards, the following week, Stafford led the Bulldogs on a 12-play, 64-yard drive and threw the game-winning touchdown pass in Georgias 15–12 win over No.16 Georgia Tech
5.
Maurice Jones-Drew
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Maurice Christopher Jones-Drew is a former American football running back who played in the National Football League. He played college football at UCLA and received consensus All-American recognition, Jones-Drew was selected by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft, 60th overall, was named to the Pro Bowl three times, and led the NFL in rushing yards in 2011. He played his first eight seasons with the Jaguars, through 2013, in his final season in 2014, he played for the Oakland Raiders. Following his retirement, Jones-Drew entered broadcasting, serving as a color analyst for NFL Now and he is currently an analyst for Los Angeles Rams radio broadcasts. Born in Oakland, California, Jones-Drews name at birth was Maurice Christopher Drew and he was raised in Antioch and graduated from De La Salle High School in Concord. De La Salle owns the longest winning streak in school football history at 151 games. The Spartan football teams that Jones-Drew played on never lost a game during his 3-year varsity career. He was an elusive, high-scoring running back and return specialist on offense and he also played four official college games as a cornerback. It was the first game that matched up the nations No.1. On the Spartans opening drive, Jones-Drew received a pass in the right flat on third-and-eight from the Poly 25-yard line. He broke a tackle and then sprinted down the sideline before launching a spectacular forward somersault into the end zone. Drew’s third touchdown came in the quarter when he burst through the line. Drew’s final score salted away the historic De La Salle victory and it was a similar effort to his third touchdown and came on a 22-yard run with just under 7 minutes remaining. Drew finished with nine carries for 86 yards and three catches for another 79 yards, during his junior season, Jones-Drew rushed for nearly 2,000 yards, averaged nearly 12 yards per carry, and scored 26 touchdowns. He was rated as a recruit and ranked as the No.1 all-purpose back in the nation in 2003 by Rivals. com. He is pictured outrunning a slew of defenders on the cover of the book When the Game Stands Tall, which chronicles the De La Salle Spartans all-time-record 151-game winning streak. Jones-Drew also ran track for the De La Salle track team and was a member of the Spartans 4 x 100 metres relay state champion team, at the age of 16, he posted a personal best time of 10.80 seconds in the 100 meters. He also ran for the Bruins track team at UCLA, Jones-Drew accepted a football scholarship to University of California, Los Angeles, where he played for the Bruins under head coach Karl Dorrell from 2003 to 2005
6.
Hakeem Nicks
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Hakeem Amir Nicks is an American football wide receiver who is currently a free agent. He played college football at North Carolina, and was drafted by the New York Giants in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft, Nicks has also played for the Indianapolis Colts. Hakeem Nicks was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, playing football there, he was rated as one of the Top 10 Players in North Carolina by SuperPrep and Rivals. com. He was also named the Charlotte Observer Offensive Player of the Year and was selected to the North Carolina Associated Press All-State team. He never lost a game in school, and completed his senior year with MVP honors at the 4-AA state championship game. In the game, he posted eight catches for 205 yards and he posted 93 catches for 1,819 yards and 20 touchdowns in his senior year. Nicks is the son of Rob Nicks, Jr. and Lisa Mason and he has two brothers, Anwar and Aleef, and a daughter named Harmony. During his freshman season, Nicks started all 11 games in which he played, Nicks led the team and set UNC single-season records for receptions and receiving yards by a freshman. Ranked third in the ACC in receiving yards per game and eighth in receptions per game, Nicks improved dramatically in his sophomore season, setting a single-season school record with 74 catches for 958 receiving yards along with five touchdowns. His single-season receiving yards were the third most in school history, Nicks finished second in the ACC with 79.8 receiving yards per game and third with 6.17 catches per game. Has made at least one catch in 22 of 23 games played, Nicks was honored as a First-team All-ACC selection at wide receiver. By the completion of his Junior season, Nicks set 14 school records at UNC, including receptions, career receiving yards. During his last season, Nicks tallied 68 catches for school records of 1,222 yards and 12 touchdowns, the 68 receptions tied for third most in a season in school history. Nicks led the ACC and ranked 12th nationally with 94.0 receiving yards per game, Nicks caught at least one pass in 26 straight games and had a catch in 35 of 36 career games. He set the UNC single-season receiving yardage record and became North Carolinas first 1, one of his other catches in that game was offered a candidate for the Greatest Catch of the Year. Four years after he had left North Carolina, Nicks was found guilty of fraud during the 2008 school year. His record setting season will remain in the guide. Nicks was found to have received some jewelry and money during his years at Carolina, butch Davis, Nicks coach at North Carolina, went even further, comparing him to Hall of Famer Michael Irvin
7.
Chris Long
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Christopher Howard Long is an American football defensive end for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League. He played college football at Virginia, where he was recognized as a unanimous All-American and he was drafted by the St. Louis Rams as second overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. Long has also played for the New England Patriots and won Super Bowl LI as a member of the team and he is the son of NFL Hall of Famer Howie Long. Long was born in Santa Monica, California and he attended St. Annes-Belfield School in Charlottesville, Virginia. As a senior in 2003, he was in on 91 tackles,23 tackles for a loss, and 15 sacks helping his team to an undefeated record and the state private-school championship. He was a big gangly kid who had yet to grow into his body, said John Blake, but he jumped in with both feet. When he played tackle, he would drive kids 10 or 15 yards down the field, Long had the rare distinction of having his jersey retired at St. Annes-Belfield School. He was given a 4-star ranking for college recruiting from Rivals. com and he played in the 2004 U. S. Army All-American Bowl. Long also played basketball, lacrosse, and baseball in high school, in addition to being Howie Longs son, he is also the great-nephew of film director Irvin Kershner. His younger brother, Kyle Long, became the 20th pick in the 2013 NFL Draft for Chicago Bears as an offensive guard, Long played college football at the University of Virginia under head coach Al Groh from 2004 to 2007, while pursuing a degree in sociology. As a freshman in 2004, he was a backup on the defensive line, Long ended the season with five tackles and a sack. As a sophomore in 2005, Long averaged 3.8 tackles per game and he totaled 46 tackles, with 10 tackles for a loss and 2 sacks. His 26 quarterback pressures led his team and he also shared the team lead in pass break-ups with seven. In 2006, Long earned second-team All-ACC honors and was voted team captain, while starting all games, Long recorded 57 tackles,12 for a loss, and 4 sacks. His 4.8 tackles per game was fourth among ACC defensive lineman and he was also a finalist for the Dudley Award, for the most outstanding player in the Commonwealth of Virginia and was an All-State selection. Following his senior season in 2007, Long was recognized as a unanimous First-team All-American, Long was fourth nationally in tackling by a defensive lineman, averaging 8.3 tackles per game. In addition, North Carolina head coach Butch Davis, who coached against Long in North Carolinas ACC match-ups with Virginia, called Long one of the premier defensive linemen in the country. Long entered the 2007 season on the lists for the Outland Trophy, Bronko Nagurski Trophy, Bednarik Trophy, Lombardi Trophy, Hendricks Award
8.
Aldon Smith
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Aldon Jacarus Smith is an American football outside linebacker for the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League. He played college football at Missouri, and was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers seventh overall in the 2011 NFL Draft, Smith was born in Greenwood, Mississippi. He attended Raytown High School in Raytown, Missouri, where he played for the Raytown Bluejays high school football team. Considered only a three-star recruit by Rivals. com, Smith was considered the No.5 overall prospect in the state of Missouri as well as the No.27 strongside defensive end in the nation. Smith chose Mizzou over Nebraska, Kansas and Kansas State, among many others, Smith played for the Missouri Tigers football team while attending the University of Missouri from 2008 to 2010. After being redshirted as a freshman in 2008, he started 11 of 13 games at end in 2009. He finished the season with 60 tackles and 11 sacks and he was named the Big 12 Defensive Freshman of the Year and a first team freshman All-American. As a sophomore in 2010, he played in nine games, recording 48 tackles, after the season Smith announced that he would forgo his final two years of eligibility and enter the 2011 NFL Draft. Many scouts had compared him to DeMarcus Ware, prior to the 2011 NFL Draft, he was projected to be selected in the mid-late first round by mock draft analysis. On Draft day, the San Francisco 49ers decided to draft Smith with the 7th overall pick, Smith did not start, but did make his NFL debut against the Seattle Seahawks. In a week 4 match against the Philadelphia Eagles, he recorded his first sack on Michael Vick, the next 2 weeks Smith would win the Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Week in victories against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Detroit Lions. In Week 15 Smith recorded 2.5 sacks against the Pittsburgh Steelers and he also surpassed Charles Haley for the 49ers record for most sacks by a rookie in a single season with 13.0 sacks. He finished with 37 total tackles, four pass deflections, two forced fumbles, and 14 sacks, Smith was half a sack shy of tying the all-time rookie sack record held by Jevon Kearse despite not starting a single game in his rookie season. In Week 11, he recorded 5.5 sacks against the Chicago Bears, the next week, in a game against the New Orleans Saints, he surpassed Reggie White as the fastest player in league history to record his 30th career sack, doing so in 27 games. The next week, against the St. Louis Rams, Smith broke another of Whites records by recording 31.5 sacks in his first two seasons, in that same game, he tied Fred Deans franchise record of 17.5 sacks in one season. He was also voted the San Francisco 49ers MVP in 2012, Smith got off to a fast start during the 2013 season getting 4.5 sacks in the first three games. However, on September 20, Smith was involved in a vehicle accident in San Jose. He was subsequently arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence and possession of marijuana
9.
Brent Grimes
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Brent Omar Grimes is an American football cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League. He played college football at Shippensburg University, and signed with the Atlanta Falcons as a free agent in 2006. Prior to playing for the Falcons, Grimes was allocated to the Hamburg Sea Devils of NFL Europa, following a championship run with the Sea Devils, Grimes would go on to play for Atlanta from 2007 to 2012. In the 2012 regular season, Grimes suffered an Achilles injury, during the 2013 offseason, Grimes signed with the Miami Dolphins, and went on to have a season that was worthy of some comeback player award consideration. Grimes was signed as a free agent out of Shippensburg by the Atlanta Falcons on May 16,2006. Grimes was waived by the Falcons during training due to a groin injury. The Falcons then re-signed Grimes on January 10,2007, Grimes was shipped around from the Amsterdam Admirals to the Rhein Fire, before settling with and playing for the Hamburg Sea Devils. He starred for the Sea Devils, leading the defense in World Bowl XV. Grimes and the Sea Devils were victorious in the World Bowl championship, Grimes soon found himself on the Falcons active roster in 2007. After primarily spending the 2007 and 2008 seasons as a special teamer, Grimes ground out an impressive 2009 season, during the 2010 season, Grimes earned an NFC Defensive Player of the Week recognition, following a Week 15 matchup with the Seattle Seahawks. Grimes logged 3 tackles,5 passes defended, and 1 interception in the game, throughout the entire 2010 season, Grimes recorded 87 tackles and 5 interceptions. His 2010 effort was able to draw attention from fans and the rest of the league, Grimes then had 2 injury plagued seasons in 2011 and 2012. Grimes would miss the Wild card playoff matchup against the New York Giants, in 2012, he missed the entire season after tearing his Achilles in the first game of the season. After the 2012 season, Grimes became an agent. So why should the Falcons pay him like a corner that he isnt going to be anymore. Why should they waste the money on someone who wont be worth it, during free agency, Grimes made visits with the Cleveland Browns and Miami Dolphins. On March 30,2013, Grimes signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the Miami Dolphins, during the season, he was seen as a leader to rookie cornerbacks Will Davis and Jamar Taylor. Additionally, Grimes was seen as a key piece of the Miami defense, bleacher Report referred to Grimes as Miamis defensive MVP and one of the biggest reasons to be hopeful of better things to come, as well as the brightest spot for the Dolphins, in 2013
10.
Randall Cunningham
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Randall Wade Cunningham is a former American football quarterback in the National Football League. He played in the NFL for 16 seasons, primarily with the Philadelphia Eagles, Cunningham is also known for his tenure with the Minnesota Vikings. He is the brother of former college and professional football player Sam Cunningham. After playing college football at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Cunningham was selected in the round of the 1985 NFL Draft by the Eagles. Following 11 seasons with the team, he announced his retirement from football and he was released by the Vikings following the 1999 season after failing to match his success during the previous year. In his final two seasons, he played for the Dallas Cowboys and the Baltimore Ravens for one year each, upon retiring for a second and final time, Cunningam became an ordained Protestant minister and a coach at Silverado High School. Cunningham attended Santa Barbara High School in Santa Barbara, California, and was a graduate of the class of 1981. As a senior, he led his team to a League title and the CIF Finals. He also competed in track and field at SBHS in the high jump and he then went on to attend the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He was a 1983 and 1984 College Football All-America Team selection as a punter, in 1984, his senior year, he led the UNLV Rebels to an 11–2 season—still the schools only 10-win season ever—however this was adjusted to 0–13 when it was found out several players were ineligible. Cunningham was the Eagles second-round pick in the 1985 NFL Draft, Cunningham was also sought by the United States Football Leagues Tampa Bay Bandits that same year. Eagles owner Norman Braman refused to negotiate with Cunningham if he accepted offers from the Bandits, ultimately, the USFL folded, thus ending that issue. In 1986, new head coach Buddy Ryan arrived in Philadelphia and made changes, many of them unorthodox. After a hand injury to Jaworski in week 10, Cunningham would replace him as the Eagles’ starter, despite his limited service and speed, the Eagles porous offensive line allowed him to be sacked a franchise record 72 times that season. Cunningham was permanently handed the Eagles starting job for the 1987 season, Cunningham was said to have reached elite status during the 1988 season, as he was elected by league players as the NFC starting quarterback for the AFC-NFC Pro Bowl. That same year, he combined with fellow Eagle Pro Bowler Reggie White to lead the Eagles to the NFC Eastern Division Championship. In the 1988 Divisional Playoffs, Cunningham threw 54 passes for 407 yards during the Fog Bowl 20-12 loss against the Chicago Bears, unfortunately, he also shares the franchise record with 3 interceptions in that same game. In the subsequent Pro Bowl a few later, Cunningham was named game MVP as the NFC defeated the AFC. In 1989, on October 2 Cunningham also set the franchise record with 62 pass attempts
11.
Philip Rivers
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Philip Michael Rivers is an American football quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers of the National Football League. Rivers career passer rating of 95.7 is fifth-best all-time among NFL quarterbacks with at least 1,500 passing attempts, Rivers is ranked 4th all-time in consecutive starts by a quarterback in NFL history. After starting Chargers quarterback Drew Brees went to the New Orleans Saints following the 2005 season, Rivers was born in Decatur, Alabama, where his father, Steve, was the head coach of Decatur Highs football team and his mother, Joan, was a teacher. Rivers went to Decatur then moved to Athens, as part of a fifth-grade project, he had to make a poster about his dreams and aspirations. On the poster, he pasted his face over that of a Minnesota Vikings player who had appeared on a cover of Sports Illustrated. He has worn the number 17 jersey since the grade, it is in honor of his father. After his dad, Steve, got the head coaching job, Rivers first start in an official game came in the seventh grade, in 1994. He would not see the bench again until his season in the NFL. As Rivers’s senior season unfolded, he established himself as the best prep passer in the state of Alabama, although he had offers from Auburn and Alabama, neither projected him as a starting quarterback. Rivers rejected them in order to go to a program where he would have playing time. The first college to seriously recruit Rivers as a quarterback was North Carolina State, joe Pate convinced Rivers and his parents to consider graduating from high school in December 1999. After high school, Rivers attended North Carolina State University in Raleigh, North Carolina, Rivers enrolled in January and suited up for his first practice as a college quarterback in the spring of 2000. As a freshman in 2000, Rivers led NC State to an 8–4 record, four of the Wolfpacks victories were comebacks. In his debut, a 38-31 double-overtime win over Arkansas State, a week later, he threw for 401 yards in a 41–38 win against Indiana. The performance was highlighted by a clutch 47-yard strike to future 1st round pick Koren Robinson with under a minute to go, against Duke, NC State trailed 31–28 late in the fourth quarter when Rivers scampered into the end zone on a seven-yard run. For the season, Rivers passed for 3,054 yards and 25 touchdowns and he broke a half-dozen school passing marks, was ACC Rookie of the Week a record eight times, and earned honors as the conference Freshman of the Year. For the first time since Roman Gabriel ran the Wolfpack offense in the early 1960s, as a sophomore in 2001, Rivers connected for 2,586 yards and 16 touchdowns. His 65.2 percent completion mark led the Atlantic Coast Conference, the Wolfpack finished the 2001 campaign at 7–4 and made a return trip to the Tangerine Bowl
12.
Roddy White
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Sharod Lamor Roddy White is a former American football wide receiver who played his entire professional career with the Atlanta Falcons. He played college football at UAB, and was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft. White attended James Island High School in Charleston, South Carolina, and was a letterman and standout in football, baseball, soccer. In football, he was a two-time All-Lowcountry honoree, a two-time All-State honoree, in wrestling, he was a two-time state champion often pinning his opponent in a move that was coined the Shanaz. White attended the University of Alabama at Birmingham, where he was a wide receiver for the UAB Blazers football team. In 2004, White helped UAB to their first bowl game in school history, in the 2004 Hawaii Bowl, White caught six passes for 113 yards and a touchdown in the 59-40 loss to Hawaii. He finished his season with 71 receptions for 1,452 yards and 14 scores. White saw instant action in his rookie campaign and he ranked fourth among all rookie receivers in 2005. Although a high ankle sprain caused him to remain on the sidelines for much of the preseason, in Week 4 against the Minnesota Vikings, he was inserted in the lineup as the No.3 receiver. During the course of the game, he racked up 64 yards on 5 catches, however, during the rest of the season, his performance was generally spotty. In spite of this, he still had 108 yards receiving in that game, in the 2006 season, White appeared in all 16 games and started five. He recorded 30 receptions for 505 yards in his season in the NFL. Earlier that day, Vick was sentenced to 23 months in jail on dogfighting charges, White was fined $10,000 by the league for his actions. White became the first Falcon wide receiver since 1999 to reach 1,000 single-season receiving yards on December 23,2007 and he also finished tied for 8th among all NFL wide receivers in receiving yards in 2007 with 1,202 yards. This record has since broken by Julio Jones Whites 2008 performance was even better than the previous year. He finished the year with 1,382 receiving yards,88 receptions and he broke Alfred Jenkinss team record of 1,358 receiving yards, which stood since 1981. On December 16,2008, White was named to the 2009 Pro Bowl along with fellow Falcons RB Michael Turner, Roddy White had 1 catch for 26 yards and 1 rush for 7 yards in the 2009 Pro Bowl. On July 31,2009, White began a holdout, boycotting the 2009 training camp in an attempt at a contract extension
13.
Jason Witten
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Christopher Jason Witten is an American football tight end for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League. He played college football for the University of Tennessee, and was drafted by the Cowboys in the round of the 2003 NFL Draft. Witten ranks second all-time in career receptions and receiving yards by an NFL tight end, Witten is the youngest of three brothers, Ryan and Shawn, and was raised in Washington D. C. but attended Elizabethton High School in Elizabethton, Tennessee. Wittens father, a 68,300 lb. mailman, was abusive toward his mother, Kim, when he was 11, Witten moved to Elizabethton to live with his grandparents. His grandfather Dave Rider was also the coach of the football team and he became a three-year starter playing both linebacker and tight end, while helping his team reach the state semifinals three times. As a senior linebacker, he finished the season with 163 tackles, nine sacks and he had 26 receptions and 14 touchdowns on offense. He also played basketball, where he averaged 15 points and 12 rebounds per-game, Witten accepted a scholarship to the University of Tennessee, with the promise from then head coach Phillip Fulmer that he would be played at defensive end. He began his year playing special teams and saw time as a second-string defensive end. After injuries impacted the depth at the end position, he was moved to the offensive side midway through the season. Although Witten did not agree with the change and even considering transferring and he also started in his first 2 games. He started three games as a sophomore, registering 28 receptions for 293 yards and 2 touchdowns and he received All-SEC and Academic All-SEC honors after leading the conferences tight ends in receptions and receiving yards. Witten was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the round of the 2003 NFL Draft. Although the Cowboys had a first round grade on him, when their turn came in the first and second rounds, they selected cornerback Terrence Newman and Al Johnson based on team needs. Entering the league as a 20-year-old rookie, he started seven of the fifteen games he played in, registering 35 receptions for 347 receiving yards. He broke his jaw against the Arizona Cardinals, after being hit by Ronald McKinnon and Ray Thompson and he only missed one game and continued to play through the injury. Then-head coach Bill Parcells has always complimented Witten on his toughness, in 2004, Witten had a breakout season leading the NFC with 87 catches, which was also the 11th most in NFL history by a tight end and a Cowboys team record for the position. Witten finished sixth in the NFL with 66 receptions and became the first Cowboys tight end to have at least 65 receptions in consecutive seasons and he had 757 receiving yards and six touchdown receptions in 2005. As a result of his season, he was named to his second Pro Bowl
14.
Josh Sitton
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Josh James Sitton is an American football guard for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League. He played college football at UCF, and was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the round of the 2008 NFL Draft. He won Super Bowl XLV with them against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sitton attended Catholic High School in Pensacola, Florida, where he lettered four times in football and twice in basketball. A two-way lineman, Sitton allowed just three quarterback sacks over two seasons on the side, while adding 50 tackles and six sacks as a defensive lineman as a senior. He earned second-team all-state and first-team all-area honors as an offensive lineman as a senior, regarded as only a two-star recruit by both Rivals. com and Scout. com, Sitton was not listed among the best offensive lineman prospects in the class of 2004. He chose UCF over offers from Nicholls State University and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, in his true freshman season at UCF, Sitton played in all 11 games with four starts at right guard. He was moved to right tackle for his season, where he started all 13 games for the Knights. Sitton was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 4th round of the 2008 NFL Draft, in 2010, he was named Offensive Lineman of the Year by the NFL Alumni Association and was selected as a Pro Bowl alternate. On September 2,2011, the Packers signed Sitton to a contract extension. On January 21,2013, Sitton was chosen to replace Mike Iupati in the Pro Bowl, on September 3,2016, Sitton was released by the Green Bay Packers. On September 4,2016, Sitton signed a contract with the Chicago Bears worth $21.75 million with $10 million guaranteed. Green Bay Packers bio UCF Knights bio
15.
Ndamukong Suh
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Ndamukong Ngwa Suh is an American football defensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Detroit Lions second overall in the 2010 NFL Draft and he played college football at Nebraska, where he earned All-American honors. As a college senior, Suh became one of the most decorated players in football history. Despite issues with sportsmanship, Suh is recognized as one of the best defensive tackles in the NFL, in 2015, Suh was named the 24th best player in the NFL, while being the sixth highest ranked defensive player. Suh was born in Portland, Oregon and he attended Grant High School in Portland, where he was a three-sport star in football, basketball, and field. He played as a lineman for the Grant Generals. Suh earned first-team All-PIL honors on offense and defense as a junior and was an honorable-mention All-state pick. He also played in the 2005 U. S. Army All-American Bowl, in basketball, he earned honorable-mention All-League honors as a junior and senior. Also a track & field athlete, Suh was one of the top performers in the shot put. He was the shot put champion in 2004, and won the OSAA Class 4A shot put title in 2005 with a school-record throw of 18.71 meters. For his all-around athletic accomplishments, Suh was a finalist for the Portland Tribune’s Athlete of the Year, considered a four-star recruit by Rivals. com, Suh was the sixth ranked defensive tackle in the United States. Recruited by many, Suh took official visits to Nebraska, Mississippi State, Oregon State, Miami, Suh attended the University of Nebraska, where he played for the Nebraska Cornhuskers football team from 2005 to 2009. As a true freshman in 2005, Suh played in the first two games and had a tackle against Wake Forest before missing the remainder of the season after undergoing knee surgery. In 2006, Suh played in all 14 games as a defensive lineman. Despite coming off the bench, he finished the year with 19 total tackles, in his sophomore season, Suh started in 11 of the Cornhuskers 12 games, and recorded 34 total tackles on the season. As a junior in 2008, Suh recorded a team-high 76 tackles,7.5 sacks,19 tackles for loss,2 interceptions, and he became the first Nebraska defensive lineman to lead the team in tackles since 1973. Suh earned First-team All-Big 12 honors in 2008, the first Nebraska interior defensive lineman to earn those honors since Steve Warren in 1999 and he was also an honorable mention All-American. In 2009, Suh registered 85 tackles,12 quarterback sacks,28 quarterback hurries,24 tackles for loss,10 pass breakups,3 blocked kicks, and 1 interception
16.
Patrick Willis
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Patrick L. Willis is a former American football linebacker who played his entire eight-year career with the San Francisco 49ers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the 49ers in the first round of the 2007 NFL Draft and he played college football for the University of Mississippi and received consensus All-American honors. During Williss senior season at Ole Miss, he received the Butkus Award, a year later as a member of the 49ers, Willis led the NFL in tackles, earned first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors while being named the 2007 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. Willis made the Pro Bowl in his first seven seasons in the NFL and he won the college Butkus Award in 2006 while at Ole Miss and in 2009, he won the professional Butkus Award while with the 49ers. Born in Bruceton, Tennessee, Willis grew up in poverty and had to take care of his younger siblings. By the age of 10, he worked full-time in cotton fields. At age 17, he left his home, a double-wide in a park just outside Bruceton, with his brothers, Orey and Detris, and sister, Ernicka. The siblings moved in with Williss high school basketball coach, Willis attended Hollow Rock-Bruceton Central High School, where he was a two-time All-State selection, Regional Most Valuable Player, and West Tennessee Player of the Year. He earned four letters in football and basketball, and three in baseball and he was also the first person in Tennessee state history to be nominated for both the Mr. Football Award for a Lineman and the Mr. Football Award for a Back in the same season. Regarded as a recruit by Rivals. com, Willis was listed as the No.60 linebacker prospect in the class of 2003. He chose Ole Miss over Memphis, Willis attended the University of Mississippi, and played for the Ole Miss Rebels football team from 2003 to 2006. As a freshman at Ole Miss, Willis played in all 13 games and he received the Scholar-Athlete Award from the Ole Miss chapter of the National Football Foundation and College Football Hall of Fame. As a sophomore in 2004, he appeared in 10 of 11 games and he recorded 70 tackles, and led the team with 11.0 tackles for a loss and five sacks. In Williss 2005 junior campaign, he led the SEC in total tackles at 12.80 per game and he finished season with 128 total tackles,9.5 tackles for loss, three sacks, an interception, two forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. Willis was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year by CollegeFootballNews. com and he was also named as a first-team All-American by CollegeFootballNews. com and the All-American Football Foundation. Willis earned first-team All-SEC honors from the Associated Press, SEC Coaches, CollegeFootballNews. com and he was awarded SEC Defensive Player of the Year, first-team All-SEC, and consensus first-team All-American. He was the winner of the Jack Lambert Award and the prestigious Dick Butkus Award and he also won the Conerly Trophy, voted upon by the media in Mississippi and awarded to the best college football player in Mississippi. In addition, he was a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Award and he also posted a 39-inch vertical jump and recorded 22 repetitions of the 225-lb
17.
Aqib Talib
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Aqib Talib is an American football cornerback for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League. He was a member of the Broncos Super Bowl 50 win over the Carolina Panthers and he played college football at Kansas, where he received unanimous All-American honors. He was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft, Talib has also played for the New England Patriots. Aqib Talib was born in Cleveland, Ohio to Theodore and Donna Henry, Donna had converted to Islam and gave her four children Muslim names, Saran, Kai, Yaqub, and Aqib. Aqib means the last one in Arabic, Aqib was so named as he was the youngest of the four children and his last name, Talib, means student. Aqibs parents divorced at an age, and he followed his mother to Texas to start the eighth grade. He then attended Berkner High School in Richardson, Texas, and lettered in football, basketball, in football, as a senior, he was named the Berkner High Schools Defensive Back of the Year while garnering first-team all-district and first-team all-city honors. In track, he was a member of the 4 × 100m and 4 × 200m relay squads, as a college football prospect during his senior year, he was rated 2 stars by Rivals. com. He was recruited by Kansas, Kansas State, Wyoming, Tulsa, Arizona and he chose to sign a National Letter of Intent to play for Kansas. Talib attended the University of Kansas, where he played for the Kansas Jayhawks football team from 2005 to 2007, Talib established himself as one of the best defensive college football players in the country as a junior, and was recognized as a unanimous first-team All-American. He also continued to play sparingly as a receiver, catching four touchdown passes through the first nine games. Against rival Kansas State, Talib preserved a victory by intercepting a Josh Freeman pass in the moments of the game. He has also returned an interception 102 yards for a touchdown against Florida International, after the 2007 season, Talib was a unanimous All-American selection. In the 2008 Orange Bowl against Virginia Tech, Talib returned an interception for a touchdown and was named the games Most Valuable Player and he announced on January 6,2008 that he would forgo his senior season and enter the 2008 NFL Draft. As one of the top cornerback prospects, Talib received an invitation to the 2008 NFL Combine, held at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis. Talib was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as the 20th pick in the 2008 NFL Draft, Talib also became the second cornerback ever taken by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round In 2010, Talib had six interceptions, one which he returned for a touchdown. However, in a week 13 game against the Atlanta Falcons, at the time of his injury he was tied for second in the NFL in interceptions with 6. Ed Reed would lead all defensive backs with a total of 8, after the 2010 season, Aqib Talib was named Defensive Back of the Year by the NFL Alumni Association
18.
Devin Hester
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Devin Devorris Hester Sr. is an American football wide receiver and return specialist who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Miami, where he was the first player in the recent history to play in all three phases of American football, offense, defense and special teams. In addition to Chicago, Hester also played for the Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, originally drafted as a cornerback, Hester quickly made an impact as a kick returner, and later became one of the teams starting wide receivers. Hester holds the NFL record for most all-time return touchdowns and most all-time punt return touchdowns and he is widely regarded as one of the best return specialists in NFL history. Devin Hester was born to Juanita Brown and Lenorris Hester, Sr. in Riviera Beach and his parents separated when he was a toddler. Before he became a teenager, his mother was injured in a car accident. His step-father, Derrick Brown, and brother, Lenorris, Jr. helped Hester escape his depression and he soon returned to his normal life and began to excel in sports and academics. During his youth, Hester enjoyed following the Dallas Cowboys and he especially idolized Deion Sanders, Emmitt Smith, and Michael Irvin. He was also a fan of the Chicago Bulls during the Michael Jordan, fred Taylor of the University of Florida was Hesters favorite athlete. In addition to football, he enjoyed playing soccer and following baseball. Hester attended first Palm Beach Gardens High, then on to Suncoast High School, where he played football as a cornerback, wide receiver, return specialist, and running back. He earned recognition from SuperPrep. com as the top high school prospect in Florida and Parade, Hester also participated in the 2002 CaliFlorida Bowl, where he returned a kick for an 80-yard touchdown. His success prompted his teammates to nickname him Sugar Foot, considered a five-star recruit by Rivals. com, Hester was listed as the second best cornerback in the nation in 2002. Hester was also a track athlete. While at Suncoast, he received All-America accolades, and he ranked second nationally in the jump as a junior. He also captured the 2004 Big EAST Indoor long jump title as a member of the University of Miami track and field team, with a leap of 7.37 meters. He also competed in the 60 meters and 100 meters, posting bests of 6.77 seconds and 10.62,10. 42W seconds
19.
Troy Polamalu
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Troy Aumua Polamalu is a former American football strong safety of Samoan descent who played his entire twelve-year career for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He played college football for the University of Southern California, and he was chosen by the Steelers in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He was a member of two of the Steelers Super Bowl championship teams, and was the NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2010, Polamalu was born in Garden Grove, California. At age eight, he vacationed in Tenmile, Oregon, with an aunt and he graduated from Douglas High School in Winston, Oregon. As a two-way player, Polamalu rushed for 671 yards with nine touchdowns and had three interceptions, following his junior season, Polamalu was named to the All-State first team and was the All-Far West League Offensive Most Valuable Player for Douglas High, which achieved a 9–1 record. He rushed for 1,040 yards with 22 touchdowns and had 310 receiving yards, on defense, he made 65 tackles and had eight interceptions. In high school, Polamalu also played baseball and basketball, where he also received all-state, Polamalu received an athletic scholarship to attend the University of Southern California, and played for the USC Trojans football team from 1999 to 2002. I believe God named me Troy for a reason, he said, Polamalu was offered a scholarship to play for the University of Southern California Trojans football team. He began his career in 1999 as a true freshman, playing backup at safety and linebacker. While playing in 8 games, he recorded 12 tackles,2 sacks, against Louisiana Tech, he showed his effectiveness on special teams, blocking a punt. His freshman season was cut short when he suffered a concussion at practice, the injury sidelined him for four games. The 2000 season marked the beginning of Polamalus career and he opened his season starting against Penn State, and recorded only 2 tackles but made an interception for a 43-yard touchdown. While playing against Colorado, he made 5 tackles and recovered a fumble that set up a Trojan touchdown, the next game he again recorded 5 tackles and also sacked Oregon States quarterback. During a game against University of Oregon, he ended the game with 13 tackles,2 tackles for a loss, then against Stanford, he made 11 tackles in the game. He set a high with 14 tackles against Arizona State. This marked his first year starting all 12 games at safety and he closed out 2000 with 83 tackles,5 tackles for a loss,1 sack,2 interceptions. In 2001, he had the best year of his college career and he started the season by being voted as the team captain, and in the season opener he recorded 7 tackles and 1 tackle for a loss against San Jose State. Against Kansas State, he had a game-high 13 tackles,3 tackles for a loss, Polamalu continued his dominance against Stanford, making a game-high 10 stops,1 tackle for a loss, and his first blocked punt of the season
20.
Todd Haley
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Todd Haley is an American football coach who is the offensive coordinator for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. Haley recently served as the coach of the Kansas City Chiefs of the National Football League from 2009 to 2011. Prior to joining the Chiefs, Haley served as the Arizona Cardinals offensive coordinator from 2007 to 2008, and was the receivers coach for the New York Jets, Chicago Bears. As a youth, Haley was a boy for the Steelers. Alongside his father, Haley would watch the Steelers game and practice film, while his family was located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for his fathers profession, Haley attended Upper St. Clair High School. He went on to attend the University of Florida and University of Miami, Haley graduated from the University of North Florida in 1991 with a bachelors degree in communication. Haley was hired by the New York Jets in 1995 and served as an assistant in the department for two seasons. At the time, Haleys father Dick was working with the Jets as Director of Player Personnel, in 1997, he was promoted to offensive assistant/quality control coach and worked closely with then-offensive coordinator Charlie Weis. From 1999 to 2000 Haley was the Jets wide receivers coach, during his tenure with the Jets, Haley began his association with Scott Pioli, who served as Director of Pro Personnel for the Jets from 1997 to 1999. Pioli later became the manager of the Kansas City Chiefs. In 2001, Haley joined the Chicago Bears as wide receivers coach, in 2002, he helped Marty Booker become the first Bears Pro Bowl wide receiver since 1971. From 2004 to 2006, Haley was the receivers coach. Haley helped develop quarterback Tony Romo and the Cowboys passing offense, in 2007, Haley joined Ken Whisenhunts coaching staff for the Arizona Cardinals as the teams offensive coordinator. Haley did not start calling plays for the Cardinals until late in the season, the Cardinals finished in the top half of the NFL in multiple offensive categories. Under Haley’s guidance, the Cardinals offense in 2008 was one of the league’s most innovative and explosive units, Arizona tied for third in the league in scoring, registering a franchise-record 427 points. The Cardinals were fourth in total offense, averaging 365.8 yards per game, Arizona was second in the league in passing offense and ranked sixth in the NFL with 20.5 first downs per game. The Cardinals finished the season with a 9–7 record and a berth after winning the NFC West Division title. The Cardinals went on to appear in their first Super Bowl in franchise history after the team scored more than 30 points in each of its three playoff games, in Super Bowl XLIII, the Cardinals offense played the NFLs top-ranked Pittsburgh Steelers defense
21.
Drew Brees
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Drew Christopher Brees is an American football quarterback for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. After a prolific college football career at Purdue University, he was chosen by the San Diego Chargers with the first pick in the round of the 2001 NFL Draft. He left college as one of the players in Purdue and Big Ten Conference history. As of 2016, he remains the Big Ten record-holder in virtually every passing category, including completions, yards, Brees started his professional career with the San Diego Chargers, earning the starting job in 2002 and making the Pro Bowl in 2004. Nine months after suffering a bad dislocation in his shoulder joint and he met immediate success in New Orleans, earning nine trips to the Pro Bowl and leading the Saints to their first Super Bowl in Super Bowl XLIV against the Indianapolis Colts. Since joining the Saints in 2006, he has led all NFL quarterbacks in touchdowns, passing yards, Brees has passed for over 5,000 yards in a season five times—no other NFL quarterback has done so more than once. He has led the NFL in passing touchdowns four times, and he was the NFLs Comeback Player of the Year in 2004, the Offensive Player of the Year in 2008 and 2011, and the MVP of Super Bowl XLIV. Sports Illustrated named Brees its 2010 Sportsman of the Year, Brees was born to Eugene Wilson Chip Brees II, a prominent trial lawyer, and Mina Ruth, an attorney. A Sports Illustrated article stated he was named for Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Drew Pearson and he has a younger brother, Reid. When Brees was seven, his parents divorced and shared custody of the boys, Today, Brees admits that it was a very tough and challenging life after the divorce, however, Brees and his younger brother, Reid, supported each other and became very close. They have a younger half-sister, Audrey, from their fathers remarriage to Amy Hightower, daughter of the late U. S, both of Breess parents had athletic backgrounds. His father played basketball for the Texas A&M Aggies mens basketball team and his younger brother, Reid, was an outfielder for the Baylor Bears baseball team, which made the 2005 College World Series and now resides in Colorado, where he works in sales. Brees did not play football until high school and was on the flag football team at St. Andrews Episcopal School, where his teammates included actor Benjamin McKenzie. In high school, he was a varsity letterman in baseball, basketball and football and was considering playing college baseball rather than football, College recruiters quickly ran after Brees blew out his knee in the 11th grade. As a high school player, Brees completed 314 of 490 passes for 5,461 yards with 50 touchdowns including. Westlake went 28–0–1 when Brees started for two seasons and beat a Dominic Rhodes-led Abilene Cooper 55–15 in the 1996 title game, Brees was given honorable mention in the state high school all-star football team and the USA Today All-USA high school football team. Brees only received offers from Purdue and Kentucky, ultimately choosing the former due to its highly rated academics and he graduated in 2001 with a degree in industrial management, and is a member of the Sigma Chi fraternity. He had the option to make available for the 2000 NFL Draft
22.
Chris Johnson (running back)
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Christopher Duan Johnson is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft and he played college football at East Carolina. Johnson has also played for the New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals, unheralded out of Orlando, Florida, Johnson emerged as a senior for East Carolina University where he broke out for 2,960 all-purpose yards and 24 touchdowns. He was drafted by the Tennessee Titans 24th overall in 2008, in his second year of professional football, he won the NFL rushing title with 2,006 yards, and broke Marshall Faulks record of total yards from scrimmage with 2,509. This earned him the nickname CJ2K and he has been to three Pro Bowls and was the NFLs Offensive Player of the Year in 2009. Johnson was born in Orlando, Florida and he played football at Olympia High School in Orlando. Considered only a two-star recruit by Rivals. com, Johnson was not ranked among the top running back prospects in 2004. He selected East Carolina over Eastern Kentucky and UConn, Johnson was also a standout track star at Olympia High School. In his senior year, he finished second in the 100 metres at the 2004 Florida 4A state championships behind Walter Dix, in addition, Johnson also finished his senior season posting personal bests of 10.50 and 21.28 in the 100 metres and 200 metres respectively. In his junior year, he qualified for the finals of the Florida State meet with a time of 10.83 seconds. Walter Dix won the event with a 10.46 in the finals and he anchored the 4 ×100 meters relay team that won Golden South and Golden West National Championships. His personal bests are 10.38 seconds in the 100 meters and 21.28 seconds in the 200 meters, Johnson enrolled in East Carolina University, and was a member of the East Carolina Pirates football team. He made an impact in all 11 games, as he eventually started seven games on the season. He finished the season on the Conference USA All-Freshman squad as a running back and he recorded a reception in 10 straight games which was a team-best. He finished the season with 561 yards rushing and 765 yards on kick returns for 1,562 all-purpose yards and he finished the season by being ranked 24th nationally for all-purpose yardage, and also rushed for five touchdowns. He finished the season with eight school game or season records for a freshman and finished the year with 32 catches for 236 yards, in his collegiate debut against West Virginia, Johnson returned five kickoffs for a total of 100 yards. Against Louisville, Johnson returned seven kickoffs for 102 yards, in a victory over Tulane, he set season-highs with 31 carries for 158 yards and two scores. Against South Florida, Johnson totaled 212 all-purpose yards and scored ECUs only offensive touchdown on an 18-yard reception, in the season finale against NC State, Johnson totaled a season-high 144 kickoff return yards
23.
Andre Johnson
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Andre Lamont Johnson is a former American football wide receiver who played the majority of his career with the Houston Texans of the National Football League. He played college football at Miami, and was drafted by the Texans third overall in the 2003 NFL Draft and he is eleventh all-time in NFL career receptions, and 10th all-time in NFL receiving yards. Johnson holds nearly every Texans receiving record and he was also a member of the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans. Johnson attended Miami Senior High School, where he graduated in 1999 and was rated as one of the top prospects in the country, as a senior, Johnson caught 32 passes for 931 yards and was named a Parade All-American. Johnson enrolled at the University of Miami, where he was a wide receiver on the Miami Hurricanes football team from 2000 to 2002. He was co-MVP of the 2002 Rose Bowl, in which the Hurricanes defeated the Nebraska Cornhuskers 37-14 to cap an undefeated season, in that game, Johnson connected with quarterback Ken Dorsey for two touchdowns and 199 yards. Johnson finished his career catching 92 passes for 1,831 yards and 20 touchdowns. His 1,831 receiving yards is ranked fifth on the University of Miamis all-time career list, Johnson was inducted into the UM Sports Hall of Fame on April 10,2014 at a ceremony in Miami. While at Miami, Johnson also ran for the Hurricanes track and he won the 200-meter dash at the 2003 GMAC Championships with a career-best time of 21.48 seconds. Also a top competitor in the 400 meters, he ran a career-best time of 46.47 seconds in the finals of the 2003 FHSAA Class 3A Championships, source, Johnson was the number three overall pick in the 2003 NFL Draft by the Houston Texans. He severed ties with NFL agents Michael Huyghue and Jeff Moorad before hiring sports attorney Don West, Johnson was signed to a six-year $39 million contract and was able to start training camp on time due to a timely contract negotiation. His rookie contract included over $13.501 million in guaranteed compensation, in Johnsons rookie season, he started and played in all 16 games, recording 66 receptions for 976 yards and four touchdowns. He also recorded five rushes for -10 yards, Johnsons breakout year came in 2004 when he combined with Texans quarterback David Carr to record 79 catches for 1,142 yards and six touchdowns. He was selected to his first Pro Bowl in recognition of his successful season, in the 2005 season, however, Johnson regressed. He only played 13 games due to injury and had 63 receptions with 688 yards, Johnson returned from injury and started in all 16 games. He led the NFL in receptions with 103 for 1,147 yards and 5 touchdowns, on March 3,2007, the Texans signed Johnson to a six-year extension, the deal wasworth $60 million and includes $15 million in guarantees. In 2007, Johnson missed 7 games due to injury and he returned mid-season to finish with 851 receiving yards and a career-high 8 receiving touchdowns. He led the league in receiving yards per game in 2007 with 95.6, on December 14,2008, Johnson recorded his first 200-yard game with 207 yards and 1 touchdown in the Texans 13–12 win over their AFC South rival Tennessee Titans
24.
Dallas Clark
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Dallas Dean Clark is a former American football tight end who played 11 seasons in the National Football League. He played college football for the University of Iowa, earned unanimous All-American honors and he was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in the first round of the 2003 NFL Draft and he was a member of their Super Bowl XLI championship team against Rex Grossman and the Chicago Bears. He also played for the NFLs Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Baltimore Ravens, Clark was born in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. He graduated from Twin River Valley High School in Bode, Iowa and he earned four letters in football, basketball, and track and 30 letters in baseball. As a high schooler, he earned honorable mention honors in football and was second team all-conference as a sophomore. As a junior, Clark was named his teams most valuable player and he was team captain and MVP again as a senior, recording 160 tackles, and earned first-team all-conference and second-team all-state honors. Clark attended the University of Iowa, where he played for the Iowa Hawkeyes football team from 1999 to 2002 and he did not see action during the 1999 season, but he finally saw the field in 2000. He played on teams and made six tackles during the season as a linebacker. Prior to the 2001 season, the Iowa coaching staff decided to move Clark to the end position. Clark started 10 games at end for Iowa in 2001, catching 38 passes for 539 yards. He also played special teams, recovering an on-side kick to clinch a win against Penn State, Clark was named honorable mention All-Big Ten Conference. After being granted a scholarship for 2002, Clark started all 13 games as he helped lead Iowa to its first undefeated season in 80 years. Clark was the Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week against Purdue and his first touchdown came in the third quarter, when he broke a Purdue tackle and raced 95 yards for a touchdown. It was the longest pass play in Kinnick Stadium history and the second longest in school history, clarks second touchdown came with 1,07 left in the game. With the Hawkeyes trailing, 28-24, Clark caught a pass on fourth. He won the Kenny Yana Award at the end of the 2002 season as well, as he helped lead Iowa to the Big Ten title, although he had one more year of eligibility remaining, Clark decided to enter the 2003 NFL Draft. He left Iowa with 1,281 career receiving yards in just two years at the end position. Clark was chosen in the first round of the 2003 NFL draft by the Indianapolis Colts with the 24th pick, when drafted, the Colts called Clark a perfect fit for their system, eventually replacing Marcus Pollard and Ken Dilger at the position
25.
Steve Hutchinson (American football)
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Steven J. Hutchinson is a former American football guard who played twelve seasons in the National Football League. He played college football for the University of Michigan, and was named a unanimous All-American, the Seattle Seahawks picked him in the first round of the 2001 NFL Draft, and he also played for the Minnesota Vikings and Tennessee Titans. He is a seven-time Pro Bowl selection, Hutchinson was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He attended Coral Springs High School in Coral Springs, Florida, in 2007, he was named to FHSAAs All-Century Team that listed the Top 33 football players in the state of Floridas 100-year history of high school football. While attending the University of Michigan, Hutchinson played for coach Lloyd Carrs Michigan Wolverines football team from 1996 to 2000. During his redshirt year in 1996, he moved from tackle to offensive guard. Hutchinson excelled as a starter, and did not allow a sack during his final two seasons as a Wolverine. He also won the Jim Parker Award from the Touchdown Club of Columbus, drafted in the first round of the 2001 NFL Draft by the Seattle Seahawks, Hutchinson spent his first five seasons with that team. In March 2006, Hutchinson, an agent, was designated as Seattles transition player. The offer sheet, though, contained a poison pill provision that would have guaranteed his entire salary if he was not the highest-paid lineman on the team. NFL rules required that when a team uses its transition tag on a player, thus, the team would have triggered the poison pill clause immediately and would have been forced, by NFL rules, to immediately guarantee Hutchinsons entire salary. Since doing so would have destroyed their salary cap, they could not match the offer, moreover, since they only used their transition tag, rather than naming Hutchinson a franchise player, they received no compensation from Minnesota for their loss. Seattle retaliated, though, by signing Minnesota wide receiver Nate Burleson to a sheet containing a similar ploy. Because of this controversy, the NFL banned the use of poison pills, Hutchinson played 48 straight games while with the Vikings, not missing one start. On December 21,2010, Hutchinson was put on injured reserve by the Vikings, Hutchinson also ended the 2011 NFL Season on injured reserve. During the first 11-years of his NFL career, Hutchinson had started in all 157 games that he had played in, however, the Minnesota Vikings announced that they had released Hutchinson on March 10,2012. On March 14,2012, Hutchinson met with the Seattle Seahawks to work out a deal with his former team. On March 15,2012, Hutchinson signed a deal with the Tennessee Titans
26.
Jared Allen
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Jared Scot Allen is a former professional American football defensive end. After playing college football for Idaho State University for four years, after four years with the Chiefs, he was traded to the Minnesota Vikings in exchange for three draft picks, including a first-rounder. He spent six years with the Vikings before joining the Chicago Bears as an agent in 2014. During the 2015 season, he was traded to the Carolina Panthers, a five-time Pro Bowl and four-time All-Pro selection, Allen tallied 136 quarterback sacks during his 12-year career. Allen was born in Dallas, Texas, and raised on a ranch in Morgan Hill. Allen first attended Live Oak High School in Morgan Hill, by then, Allen had lost many of his athletic scholarship offers, including from the University of Washington, where he had already verbally committed. As a senior at Los Gatos, he was named First-Team All-League and he was also a First-Team All-Central Coast Section selection, and a member of Whos Who in Sports Illustrated. Allen was selected by the North squad for the North vs, south San Jose Charlie Wedemeyer All-Star football game, after a senior season where he racked up 96 tackles,12 sacks, five forced fumbles, and five fumble recoveries. Allen attended Idaho State University, where he started 33 of 41 games for the Idaho State Bengals football team, in 2001 Allen earned First-team All-Big Sky honors, and led the Bengals with 16 tackles for loss and 6.5 sacks. As a junior in 2002, Allen was named Second-team Division 1-AA All-American by the Associated Press and he led the team in sacks, tackles for loss, and also led all Bengal linemen with 63 tackles. In 2003, as a senior, Allen won the Buck Buchanan Award, Idaho State finished the regular season ranked No.21 in the nation. Allen was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in the round of the 2004 NFL Draft. During his rookie season, Allen played 15 games, starting 10 of them, in 2005, Allen appeared in all 16 games with 55 tackles,11 sacks,5 passes defended,6 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries. In 2006, Allen started all 16 games with 77 tackles,7.5 sacks,1 interception,10 passes defended,5 forced fumbles and 6 fumble recoveries. On May 21,2007, Allen, as a free agent. Allen credited his early 2007 season success to his mullet, with every sack Allen made, on December 2,2007, Allen caught a touchdown pass against divisional rival San Diego. On December 23,2007, Allen caught another touchdown pass against the Detroit Lions. After leading the NFL in sacks in 2007 with 15.5, in February 2008, the Chiefs placed the franchise tag on Allen, giving him a one-year, $8.8 million contract for 2008
27.
Elvis Dumervil
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Elvis Kool Dumervil is an American football outside linebacker who is currently a free agent. He played college football at Louisville, where he was recognized as a unanimous All-American, Dumervil was drafted by the Denver Broncos in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft, where he played for seven seasons before joining the Baltimore Ravens in 2013. Dumervil has made the Pro Bowl five times and set the Ravens franchise record for most sacks in a season with 17 in 2014, Dumervil was born in Miami, Florida. His parents were Haitian immigrants to Miamis Little Haiti neighborhood, separated when Dumervil was three years old, they raised a total of 10 children. He attended Miami Jackson High School, where he was a star in football. He played high school football for the Jackson Generals team, rated among the top 25 defensive ends by most football recruiting publications, Dumervil had a Jackson High School record 78 career sacks. Despite standing at 5 ft.11 in, Dumervil was one of the most dominating defensive players in school history and put together one of the most impressive collegiate seasons in 2005. Dumervil attended the University of Louisville, where he played for coach John L. Smith, as a freshman in 2002, Dumervil recorded six tackles and two tackles for loss, but he impressed the coaching staff with his quickness and his high energy. After John L. Smith left, Petrino took over, in 2003, he tallied just 28 tackles and two sacks. The Cardinal coaching staff had planned on redshirting him during the 2002 season, but injuries to other players and he showed glimpses of what was to come in 2004, when he tallied 52 tackles,11. His sack total also broke the Big East record set by Dwight Freeney and he finished that season with a school record 20.5 sacks and 10 forced fumbles, which is still the best in NCAA history. He won several awards for the 2005 season, including the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, the Ted Hendricks Award, and Big East player of the year, in the 2006 Gator Bowl, Virginia Tech quarterback Marcus Vick intentionally stomped on the back of Dumervils leg after a whistle. While no penalty was called, the backlash from this led to Vicks permanent dismissal from the Virginia Tech football team. Vick claimed that he had apologized to Dumervil after the game, while Dumervil disputed that claim, in college, he was known for the strip-sack maneuver where he would sometimes strip the ball from ball carriers or quarterbacks. The product of Miami Jackson High finished his career with 151 career tackles,42.5 tackles for loss and 32 sacks. He ranks third all-time in tackles for loss and second in sacks and this may have been due to being consistently double-teamed, but it was perceived by some as a sign of fatigue. Several teams considered moving him to linebacker or only using him in pass rushing situations, Dumervil was drafted in the fourth round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Denver Broncos. Broncos coach Mike Shanahan stated that he planned to keep Dumervil at defensive end, early in his rookie season, Dumervil saw little playing time
28.
Charles Woodson
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Charles Cameron Woodson is a former American football player. He played college football for Michigan, where he led the Wolverines to a championship in 1997. Woodson, a player who played both offense and defense, won the Heisman Trophy in the same year. To date, he is the last player to win the Heisman who was not a back or quarterback. Woodson played the majority of his career at cornerback, but switched to safety later in his career, Woodson was drafted by the Raiders fourth overall in the 1998 NFL Draft. In his first season with Oakland, Woodson was selected as the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press and he was named to the Pro Bowl and earned All-Pro recognition three consecutive times. Woodson later battled several nagging injuries in consecutive seasons in Oakland, on April 26,2006, Woodson signed a seven-year, $52 million contract with the Green Bay Packers who he would later win Super Bowl XLV with over the Pittsburgh Steelers. In his second season in Green Bay, the injury problems returned and he was the AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year for the 2009 NFL season. Woodson is one of the few players in NFL history to play in a Pro Bowl in three different decades and he is currently sixth on the all time interceptions list with 65, and is tied with Rod Woodson and Darren Sharper for most career defensive touchdowns with 13. He also is second all time in interceptions returned for touchdowns, after he retired in 2015, he signed with ESPN in 2016. Woodson was born in Fremont, Ohio, as a senior at Ross High School, Woodson was named Ohios Mr. Football. He finished his school football career with the schools records for rushing yards. In his senior season he was a USA Today All-America selection and Parade High School All-American, all colleges recruited Woodson as a running back, while Michigan recruited him as a defensive back. In addition to playing football, Woodson also played basketball and competed in track & field, Woodson attended the University of Michigan, where he played for coach Lloyd Carrs Michigan Wolverines football team from 1995 to 1997. He became the starter after the game of his freshman season. In addition to playing cornerback, he returned punts and occasionally played as a wide receiver, in 1995, Woodson was selected as the Big Ten Freshman of the Year. He was named to the All-Big Ten First Team by conference coaches and he led the team with five interceptions and eight takeaways. In 1996, Woodson set a Wolverine record for pass breakups with 15, for his efforts, he was named the Chevrolet Defensive Player of the Year and an AP First Team All-American
29.
Josh Cribbs
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Joshua Cribbs is a former American football return specialist and wide receiver. He played college football for Kent State University, and was signed by the Cleveland Browns as a free agent in 2005. Cribbs is considered one of the greatest return specialists in NFL history and he has tied the NFL career record with eight kickoff returns for touchdowns, and also the NFL record with two kickoffs of 100 yards or more returned for touchdowns in a single game. He has also played for the New York Jets and Indianapolis Colts, Cribbs played quarterback at Dunbar High School in Washington, D. C. As a senior in the 2000 season, he was named a first-team All-Met selection by the Washington Post, while attending, he was teammates with future San Francisco 49ers tight end Vernon Davis. Cribbs played and lettered in baseball, swimming, and basketball in addition to football, during Cribbs time at Dunbar, the Crimson Tide won three consecutive DCIAA football titles. In his senior season, Cribbs completed 130-of-277 passes for 2,022 yards, nine touchdowns, in the 2000 Turkey Bowl, he led Dunbar to a 35-12 victory over the Ballou Knights. Two second half touchdowns thrown by Cribbs were key to the Crimson Tides victory over Ballou—one of which was caught by then Dunbar sophomore tight end Vernon Davis, Cribbs attended Kent State University, where he played quarterback for the Kent State Golden Flashes football team. He is the all-time total offense leader with 10,839 yards, other school records include rushing touchdowns, pass completions, pass attempts, passing yardage, touchdowns scored, and points scored. He is one of two true freshman in National Collegiate Athletic Association history to both rush and pass for 1,000 yards. Cribbs accomplished the two times. Cribbs was a communication studies major with a concentration in public communication and he received his diploma on May 15,2010. Cribbs was not chosen in the 2005 NFL Draft, however and he made the Browns roster for the 2005 season, and made an impact as a kick returner. He averaged 24.5 yards per return, and his total of 1,094 return yards set a franchise record and he made his NFL debut versus the Cincinnati Bengals on September 11. In a game against the Detroit Lions, he returned a kick 90 yards for his first NFL touchdown, in 2006, Cribbs signed a six-year contract extension with the Browns. That year he set a new record for most kickoff yardage in a season. After returning yet another kickoff for a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders in Week 3 of the 2007 season, Cribbs recorded his fourth kickoff-return touchdown with a 100-yard return against the Steelers in Week 10 of the 2007 season, as well as a 90-yard return earlier in the game. Cribbs continued his season with 245 return yards and 61 punt return yards in the Browns overtime victory over the Ravens in week 11, Cribbs was voted to the 2008 Pro Bowl as a kick returner for the AFC
30.
Sean Payton
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Patrick Sean Payton is an American football coach and former player who is the current head coach of the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. Payton was a quarterback at Naperville Central High School and Eastern Illinois University, on March 23,2016, Payton agreed to a 5 years contract extension with the Saints. Under Paytons leadership, the New Orleans Saints made the 2006 NFL playoffs after a 3–13 season in 2005, following the 2009 season, the New Orleans Saints won the Super Bowl championship. Payton has denied that any program encouraging Saints players to injure opposing players ever existed, assistant coach Joe Vitt stated We had a pay to perform program, just like many NFL teams do, but there was never a bounty program, we didnt ever encourage a pay-to-injure program. Payton filed an appeal of his suspension with the league the Friday before it was set to take effect, on April 9, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell denied his appeal, his suspension began on April 16. Goodell reinstated Payton on January 22,2013, Payton is under contract with the Saints at least until the end of the 2017 season. A previously agreed-upon extension of his contract through 2015 was voided by the NFL and this left his status after the 2012 season unclear until December of that year, when he agreed to a five-year contract which made him the highest paid coach in the history of the NFL. Payton was born in San Mateo, California, and raised in Naperville, Illinois, by parents Thomas, Paytons parents were originally from Scranton, Pennsylvania, Thomas worked in the insurance industry. Sean Payton lived in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania, during his grade school, Sean attended Naperville Central High School in Naperville, Illinois, starting as quarterback his senior year before graduating in 1982. Under coach Al Molde, Paytons Eastern Illinois teams were known as Eastern Airlines due to their passing attack that frequently topped 300 yards per game. Although he was not drafted in the 1987 NFL Draft, Payton tried out for the Kansas City Chiefs for one day and he was also a member of the Chicago Bears squad of strikebreaking replacement players, known as the Spare Bears, during the 1987 NFL players strike. In 3 games he completed 8 of 23 passes, for 79 yards,0 TDs, and 1 INT and he was also sacked 7 times for 47 yards and had one rush attempt for 28 yards. Coincidentally, his one interception came against the New Orleans Saints, in 1988, he played for the Leicester Panthers of the semi-professional UK Budweiser National League. Payton landed the starting role for the Panthers. Payton led the Panthers to a touchdown on their first possession and that same season saw the Panthers go to the Quarterfinals of the British League, eventually losing to the London Olympians after Payton returned to the US to take up a coaching position. Payton began his career in 1988 as an offensive assistant at San Diego State University. He coached Marshall Faulk from 1992 to 1993 while serving at San Diego State, as OC at Miami University, he helped RB Deland McCullough run for over 1,100 yards. In 1995, the team scored the most points in a season since 1986, RB Deland McCullough ran for over 1,600 yards with 14 TD and QB Sam Ricketts also threw 14 TD
31.
Peyton Manning
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Peyton Williams Manning is a former American football quarterback who played 18 seasons in the National Football League, primarily with the Indianapolis Colts. Considered to be one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, Manning played college football for the University of Tennessee, leading the Tennessee Volunteers to the 1997 SEC Championship in his senior season. He is the son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning. Manning was selected by the Indianapolis Colts as the first overall pick in the 1998 NFL Draft, from 1998 to 2010, he improved the fortunes of the struggling Colts franchise and helped transform them into playoff contenders. After undergoing neck surgery forced him to miss the entire 2011 season, Manning was released by the Colts. Manning holds many NFL records, including passing yards, touchdown passes, AP MVP awards, Pro Bowl appearances, at 39 years of age, Manning is the oldest quarterback to start in and win a Super Bowl. Manning is also the quarterback in NFL history to make the Super Bowl four times with four different head coaches. Teams led by Manning typically utilized the offense in place of the standard huddle. Manning attended Isidore Newman School in New Orleans, Louisiana, and he was named Gatorade Circle of Champions National Player-of-the-Year and Columbus Touchdown Club National Offensive Player-of-the-Year in 1993. While at Newman he began wearing the number 18 in honor of his older brother Cooper, younger brother Eli also wore the number when he became starting quarterback. Newman has since retired the number 18 jersey and it can be hanging in the school gym. Manning chose to play football for the University of Tennessee Volunteers. Some were surprised that he did not pick the Ole Miss Rebels and he became Tennessees all-time leading passer with 11,201 yards and 89 touchdowns and won 39 of 45 games as a starter, breaking the Southeastern Conference record for career wins. As a freshman, Manning began the season as the third-string quarterback, in the season opener against UCLA, Manning was one of three quarterbacks to come off the bench after starter Jerry Colquitt suffered a season-ending injury on the seventh play of the game. However, Manning was not able to generate any offense and was pulled from the game, during the seasons fourth game, against Mississippi State, starter Todd Helton got injured and Manning took over. The Vols lost 24–21, but Manning was named the teams starter, in his first start, the following week against Washington State, the Vols won 10–9. They won all but one of their games, finishing the season 8–4 with a 45–23 victory over Virginia Tech in the 1994 Gator Bowl. Manning and the Vols started off the 1995 season with victories over East Carolina and Georgia, against Florida, he threw for 326 yards and 2 touchdowns, leading the Vols to a 30–21 halftime lead
32.
Adrian Peterson
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Adrian Lewis Peterson is an American football running back who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings seventh overall in the 2007 NFL Draft and he played college football at Oklahoma. Peterson set the NCAA freshman rushing record with 1,925 yards as a freshman during the 2004 season. As a unanimous first-team All-American, he became the first freshman to finish as the runner-up in the Heisman Trophy balloting, Peterson finished his college football career as the Sooners third all-time leading rusher. Following his first professional season, in which he set an NFL record for most rushing yards in a single game, Peterson was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. He was then awarded the MVP award for his performance in the Pro Bowl, in 2010, he became the fifth fastest player to run for 5,000 yards, doing so in his 51st game. Peterson amassed 2,314 all-purpose yards from scrimmage in 2012, for his efforts, he received the NFL MVP Award and the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award for the 2012 NFL season. Peterson also achieved the No.1 spot on the NFL Networks Top 100 Players of 2013, during the 2013 season, Peterson became the third fastest player to reach 10,000 rushing yards in NFL history. In April 2015, Peterson was reinstated to the league, Peterson was born in Palestine, Texas, to Bonita Brown and Nelson Peterson, who were also star athletes in college. His father was a guard for Idaho, but his dream of a National Basketball Association career was derailed when a gun that his brother was cleaning discharged into his leg. His mother, a three-time Texas state champion at Westwood High School, attended the University of Houston on a scholarship as a sprinter. Petersons best friend was his older brother Brian, Petersons father nicknamed him All Day, because his father said he could go all day. At age 7, Peterson saw his 9-year-old brother Brian killed by a driver as he rode his bicycle. It was around that time that Peterson began to deal with his pain through sports and he was the star of his youth football teams coached by Rick Nally. Coach Nally stated that at early age, we would watch AD play in the NFL one day. His father Nelson participated as an Assistant Coach, Peterson played in the popular East Texas, Anderson County Youth Football Program. When Peterson was 13, his father was arrested for laundering money for a cocaine ring. Peterson was a standout in football, basketball, and track at Palestine High School
33.
Alan Faneca
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Alan Joseph Faneca is a former professional American football player who was a guard in the National Football League for thirteen seasons. He played college football for Louisiana State University, and earned consensus All-America honors and he was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in first round of the 1998 NFL Draft, and played professionally for the Steelers, New York Jets and Arizona Cardinals of the NFL. A six-time first-team All-Pro and nine-time Pro Bowl selection, Faneca won a Super Bowl ring with the Steelers in Super Bowl XL, Faneca attended Lamar Consolidated High School in Rosenberg, Texas, lettering in football and track. He was an All-Greater Houston, Orlando Sentinel All-South, and Touchdown Club of Houston player of the year, Faneca began having seizures, which were later diagnosed as epilepsy, at age 15. He started on medication to control it and was able to continue playing football, Faneca attended Louisiana State University, and played for the LSU Tigers football team from 1994 to 1997. As a freshman in 1994, he was redshirted and he was voted the Southeastern Conference freshman of the year by the Knoxville News Sentinel in 1995. In 1996, he was selected as a second-team All-American, as a junior in 1997, he was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American and was also one of three finalists for 1997 Outland Trophy. In the 1997 home game against the Florida Gators, Faneca was called a beast for having driven the Gators off the field. Faneca started his last 36 games at LSU and allowed one sack in his final season. He had 210 pancake blocks in his college career and he returned to school in 1999 and earned a bachelors degree in management entrepreneurship. Faneca was picked by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first round in the 1998 NFL Draft and he saw limited playing time at first but injuries to fellow Steelers Will Wolford and Jim Sweeney allowed him to get his first start against the Cincinnati Bengals. He earned the Joe Greene Award as the top rookie. Against Baltimore Ravens he returned from his injury but was replaced in the second half by Roger Duffy. One of his best games on the Season was against the Cincinnati Bengals helping to pave the way for Jerome Bettis first 100-yard game of that season. Against the Carolina Panthers helped pave the way for Bettis season-high 137 yards rushing, in 2000, Faneca helped the Steelers rank fourth in the league in rushing, one of only 10 teams to compile more than 2,000 yards rushing in 2000. He had a surgery on his right wrist and missed some playing time during the teams preseason. In 2002 season was named to Pro Football Weeklys All-NFL and All-AFC team and he helped spring Parker to a 75-yard touchdown run that is currently the longest run in Super Bowl history. In the 2007 season he helped quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to a passer rating of 158.3
34.
Albert Haynesworth
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Albert George Haynesworth III is a former American football defensive tackle who played in the National Football League for ten seasons. He played college football at the University of Tennessee, drafted by the Tennessee Titans in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft, he spent his first seven NFL seasons with the Titans. An All-Pro selection in 2007 and 2008, and considered the most dominant defensive tackle in the league at that time and he signed a seven-year, $100 million contract with the Washington Redskins in February 2009, but played less than two full seasons with Washington. The Redskins acquisition of Haynesworth has since been widely derided as the worst free agent signing in NFL history, Haynesworth was born in Hartsville, South Carolina. He attended Hartsville High School, and participated in football, track and he was a member of the University of Tennessee Volunteers recruiting class of 1999. As a student-athlete at the University of Tennessee, Haynesworth was a letterman for the Tennessee Volunteers football team. He lined up at defensive tackle next to John Henderson. He compiled 66 tackles, five sacks,31 quarterback pressures,20 tackles for a loss and he earned Sporting News Freshman All-American honors in 1999 and was named Second Team All-Southeastern Conference after his junior season. Considered potentially a brutal run-stopper by The New York Times, Haynesworth went 15th overall in the 2002 NFL Draft and he was the fourth defensive tackle selected from a draft class considered to be loaded with talented defensive linemen. At Tennessees Pro Day in 2002, when he was 20 years old, Haynesworth measured at 6-feet-6 and 317 pounds, ran a 4.82 40-yard dash, and had a 39-inch vertical jump and he did not work out at the 2002 NFL Combine. On October 1,2006, in the quarter of a game against the Cowboys. Center Andre Gurode fell to the ground, and his helmet was removed by Haynesworth, Haynesworth tried to stomp on Gurodes head, but missed. A second stomp opened a wound on Gurodes forehead, narrowly missing his right eye. Gurode later received 30 stitches just above and below his right eye, after the game, Titans coach Jeff Fisher apologized on behalf of the Titans organization to Cowboys coach Bill Parcells. After the game, Haynesworth apologized, saying What I did out there was disgusting and it doesnt matter what the league does to me. The way I feel right now, you just cant describe it, Gurode later said that he would not seek criminal charges against Haynesworth. He continued to experience headaches and blurred vision as of October 2006, video evidence of the play shows Haynesworth bend down towards Gurode prior to his helmet being off and prior to the stomps. Because the view is blocked by other players it is unclear whether Haynesworth manually removes the helmet
35.
DeMarcus Ware
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DeMarcus Omar Ware is a former American football outside linebacker and defensive end. He played college football at Troy and was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys with the 11th pick in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft, after spending eleven seasons with the Cowboys, Ware departed in 2015 as the franchises all-time leader in quarterback sacks with 116. Ware also played for the Denver Broncos, with whom he won Super Bowl 50 with a win over the Carolina Panthers, after the 2016 season with the Broncos, he retired from the NFL. Ware was born on July 31,1982, in Auburn, Ware played football, basketball, baseball, and ran track in high school, he attended Auburn High School. He finished his season with seven sacks and 55 total tackles. In track & field, Ware was one of the top performers in the long jump. He ran the 55 metres in 6.74 seconds and had a personal-best jump of 1.94 meters in the high jump, Ware accepted a scholarship from Troy University, where he was a two-time All-Sun Belt Conference selection for the Troy Trojans football team. He became a starter at end as a sophomore, and was a part of a defensive line that included future NFL player Osi Umenyiora. He posted 72 tackles and 19.5 tackles for loss, the next year, he registered 62 tackles,16 tackles for a loss,6 sacks,32 quarterback hurries,5 forced fumbles and 2 fumble recoveries. In 2004, he helped lead his team to the schools first-ever bowl appearance and he posted 53 tackles,10.5 sacks,19 tackles for loss and 4 forced fumbles. He finished his career with 27.5 sacks,201 tackles,74 quarterback hurries, ten forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries. His 27.5 sacks rank second in history for sacks in a career. Ware was named to the Sun Belt Conference All-Decade Team, in 2012, he was inducted into the Troy University Sports Hall of Fame. In 2014, he was inducted into the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame, a defensive end at Troy, Ware was considered a tweener DE/OLB prospect by most scouts. He was supposed to be a fit as rush linebacker in 3-4 defense prior the 2005 NFL Draft and was projected to go early in the second round by Sports Illustrated. Prospect Marcus Spears was considered by head coach Bill Parcells to be the key to the eventual move to a 3-4 defense. Owner/general manager Jerry Jones overruled Parcells and selected Ware instead, who the team thought would not be later in the draft. Spears was selected by the Cowboys with the 20th overall pick, Ware also was credited with a 430-pound bench press, a 570-pound squat and a 360-pound power clean
36.
James Harrison (American football)
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James Henry Harrison Jr. is an American football linebacker for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He played college football for Kent State University, and was signed by the Steelers as a free agent in 2002. A five-time Pro Bowl selection, Harrison has earned two Super Bowl rings with the Steelers, in Super Bowl XL and Super Bowl XLIII, Harrison also played for NFL Europes Rhein Fire and had a brief stint with the Baltimore Ravens. He played 10 games for the Cincinnati Bengals in 2013, soon after his season in 2013 with Cincinnati he stated that he would be retiring from the NFL, but he came out of retirement to return to the Steelers. Harrison is the Steelers all-time sack leader with 79.5, born in Akron, Ohio, Harrison was the youngest of 14 children to James Sr. and Mildred. He played Little League baseball in Scranton, Pennsylvania for Sloan Little Leagues Green Team and he was selected to the All-Star team in 1991. He grew up in Akron, and his favorite NFL team was the Cleveland Browns and his mother did not want him to play at first. It took both Harrison and his best friend from childhood, David Walker, to convince her, when he started to play, he excelled at both linebacker and running back. He had PR of 15.63 meters in the put,38.86 meters in the discus throw and 1.85 meters in the high jump. He was also a state-qualifier in the 4 ×100 m relay, Harrison along with Jonathan Holloman were two of the first African-Americans to play football at Coventry. His high school football ability was great, but his lack of maturity at times was a struggle, Harrison did not pay attention to his grades or college entrance tests, and by his senior year he had become disruptive to his football team. Early in his year, Coventry staff had to suspend him for two games for challenging an assistant coach to a fight. After he returned from his suspension, in his next game, after his second TD, he ran down the opposing teams sideline, and was ejected and later suspended for one game for making obscene gestures to the fans. Harrison was in court soon thereafter, after he shot a BB gun in the locker room towards a defensive coach. He plead guilty to a charge and was able to return to school to finish his senior year. Due to his issues, powerhouse football programs like Ohio State, Notre Dame. Harrison attended Kent State University and walked on the Kent State Golden Flashes football team and he also had an interception and three fumble recoveries. During his last collegiate game against Miami University, Harrison finished with 12 tackles,5 sacks, at the end of the fourth quarter, he sacked future teammate, Ben Roethlisberger on third and fourth down to seal a 24–20 victory
37.
Ed Reed
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Edward Earl Reed Jr. is a former American football safety who spent the majority of his career with the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League. He played college football for the University of Miami, where he was a two-time consensus All-American. He was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens in the first round of the 2002 NFL Draft and played eleven seasons for the Ravens before playing with the Houston Texans and he finished his career with the Ravens, signing a one-day contract on May 7,2015. During his playing career, Reed was selected to nine total Pro Bowls, was the 2004 NFL Defensive Player of the Year Award winner and he also holds the all-time NFL record for interception return yards, currently with 1,590, and postseason interceptions. His 64 regular season ranked him 6th on the NFLs all-time leader list at the time of his retirement. Reed is considered to be one of the greatest safeties in NFL history, Reed was known for studying film to memorize opposing teams tendencies, as well as his ability to lure quarterbacks into throwing interceptions. Reed was born in St. Rose, St. Charles Parish and he attended the Destrehan High School in Destrehan, Louisiana. With the Fighting Wildcats football team, he was a selection at defensive back and as a kick returner. He totaled 83 tackles, seven interceptions, three forced fumbles and 12 passes deflected in his senior year also seeing action at running back and quarterback. He also returned three punts for touchdowns, Reeds jersey number 20 was retired by the football team. Reed also played basketball, baseball, and track & field, Reed was also a standout track athlete at Destrehan High School. He was a member of the state champion 4 ×100 metres relay squad and he set a high school record throw of 56.94 meters in the javelin throw. Also a standout long jumper, he recorded a personal-best leap of 7.20 meters, Reed also joined the Miami Hurricanes track and field team in 2000, where he competed as a jumper and javelin thrower. He placed 7th in the jump at the 2000 Big East Championships. In addition, he finished 3rd in the throw, with a personal-best throw of 60.08 meters. He played for the Hurricanes team that won the 2001 National Championship, after redshirting in 1997, Reed led the team with two interceptions and four forced fumbles in 1998. He had two interceptions in 1999. Reed was recognized as a consensus first-team All-American in 2000, in 2001, he led the nation with nine interceptions for 209 yards and three touchdowns
38.
Leon Washington
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Leon Dewitt Washington Sr. is a former American football running back and return specialist. He was drafted by the New York Jets in the round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He played college football at Florida State, Washington also played for the Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots. Washington attended Andrew Jackson High School where he proved himself an exceptional athlete, dominating in football as running back, cornerback. After this superlative season, in 2002, he was named Mr. Florida in football, the Orlando Sentinel named him the No.3 prospect overall in the state of Florida, and Alliance Sports named him the No.7 prospect overall in the nation. He was named the Florida Kids No and he selected Florida State over the universities of Florida, South Carolina, Oklahoma, and Maryland. Washington received a scholarship to attend Florida State University, where he played for the Florida State Seminoles football team from 2002 to 2005. As a freshman in 2002, he changed positions from cornerback to running back and that year he played in all 14 games and ranked fourth on the team with 273 yards rushing while catching six passes for 30 yards. He led the team with 273 total return yards and also in punt return average and he became the first true freshman at FSU to record a 100-yard rushing game since Travis Minor in 1997. He was named ACC Specialist of the Week twice for his performances against Clemson and Duke, in his sophomore year, Washington played in nine of Florida States 13 games including the Orange Bowl. Washingtons punt return for a touchdown against Wake Forest was the first by a Seminole since Peter Warricks 59-yard return against Virginia Tech in the 2000 Sugar Bowl. He rushed for a season-high 121 yards on 17 carries against NC State and he scored the game-winning touchdown in the second overtime against the North Carolina Wolfpack on a 12-yard run to clinch the Seminoles 11th ACC Championship in 12 years as a league member. Washington rushed for 69 yards on 13 carries in Florida States victory over Virginia and 65 yards on 15 carries in the Seminoles victory over Florida. During his junior year in 2004, Washington earned the Gator Bowl Most Valuable Player honors with 12 rushes for a career-high 195 yards in the Seminoles victory over West Virginia. His 16.3 yards per rush is a single-game Florida State record while his 195 yards is the second most by a Seminole player in a bowl game. He earned All-ACC second team honors and was named as the Seminoles offensive Most Valuable Player by the staff at the team banquet. He played in 10 of 12 games while earning 10 starting assignments, in addition, he finished second in the ACC with 112.5 total offensive yards per game, while leading the team with 951 total yards of offense and seven rushing touchdowns. He ranked second nationally in average yards per carry at 6.89 and his season totals included 14 receptions for 98 yards and four kickoff returns for a total of 81 total yards
39.
Tony Sparano
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Anthony Joseph Sparano III is an American football coach who is currently the offensive line coach for the Minnesota Vikings. He previously served as the coach of the Miami Dolphins. However, Sparano was fired by the Dolphins on December 12,2011, Sparano was a four-year letterman for Division II University of New Haven, starting at center for the New Haven Chargers and graduating in 1982. He earned a B. S. in criminal justice from New Haven in 1984, Sparano began his coaching career at his alma mater, serving as New Havens offensive line coach for four seasons before joining the staff at Division I-AA Boston University. After one year as the offensive line coach, Sparano served five seasons as the Terriers offensive coordinator. Sparano was named New Havens head coach in 1994, and led the Chargers to two appearances in five seasons. In 1997, New Haven led Division II in offense and finished second in defense en route to a 12–2 record, beginning his NFL career in 1999, Sparano was fired in three staffing purges after brief stints with the Cleveland Browns, Washington Redskins and Jacksonville Jaguars. While with the Redskins, Sparano was partly responsible for launching the career of Ross Tucker, Sparano was hired by new Dallas Cowboys coach Bill Parcells in 2003, rising from tight ends coach to assistant head coach in his five seasons in Dallas. Sparano was the offensive play-caller for Dallas in 2006, but ceded the responsibilities to new offensive coordinator Jason Garrett the following season. The 10-win turnaround tied an NFL record and Sparano finished one vote behind Atlanta Falcons first-year head coach Mike Smith in balloting for the AP Coach of the Year award. In the 2009 and 2010 seasons, Sparano led the Dolphins to a 7-9 record and third place in the AFC East, sparanos Dolphins went 1-7 at home in 2010. At the time of the interview with Harbaugh, Sparano was still the head coach. It was also reported by media sources that Ross also spoke with former NFL coaches Jon Gruden. According to reports Bill Cowher told Ross he would not talk to him while he had a coach in place. On January 8,2011, the Dolphins gave Sparano a two-year extension worth $4,500,000 dollars, with Ross saying he was the perfect man for the job. However, on December 12,2011, hours after a week 14 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles, Sparano was fired, the Dolphins bought out his contract for $9 million. On January 11,2012, Sparano was hired as the new offensive coordinator for the New York Jets, Sparano was fired on January 7,2013 after the Jets offense performed extremely poorly, with an offense ranked 30 out of the 32 teams in the NFL. On January 23,2013, Sparano was hired to the roles of assistant head coach
40.
Tom Brady
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Thomas Edward Patrick Brady Jr. is an American football quarterback for the New England Patriots of the National Football League. He is one of two players to win five Super Bowls, the only quarterback to win five and the only player to win them all playing for one team. After playing college football for the University of Michigan, Brady was drafted by the Patriots in the round of the 2000 NFL Draft. In Bradys 15 seasons as a starter, he has quarterbacked the Patriots to seven Super Bowl appearances, as of the end of the 2016 season, Brady is fourth all-time in career passing yards, fourth in career touchdown passes, and third in career passer rating. His career postseason record is 25–9, winning more games than any other quarterback. Brady has never had a season as a starting quarterback in the NFL. His 208 combined regular-season and postseason wins are also the most of any quarterback in NFL history, because of his accomplishments and accolades, many analysts and sportswriters consider Brady to be among the greatest quarterbacks of all time. Due to his draft selection, Brady is considered to be the biggest steal in the history of the NFL Draft. Brady was born in San Mateo, California, the son and fourth child of Galynn Patricia and Thomas Brady. He has three sisters named Nancy, Julie, and Maureen. Bradys great uncle, Michael Buckley Jr. was, also, at the age of four, Brady attended the 1981 NFC Championship against the Dallas Cowboys, in which Montana threw The Catch to Dwight Clark. As a child, Brady attended football camp at the College of San Mateo where he learned to throw the football from camp counselor and he grew up as a Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics fan. Brady attended Junípero Serra High School in San Mateo, where he graduated in 1995 and he played football, basketball, and baseball in high school. He played against Bellarmine College Preparatory rival Pat Burrell in both football and baseball, Bradys football career started as the backup quarterback on the Padres JV team. At first, Brady was not good enough to start on the 0–8 JV team that had not scored a touchdown all year, however, when the starting quarterback went down with an injury, he ascended to the starting position. He became the varsity starter his junior year and held the position until he graduated, by Bradys senior year, he struggled getting on the radar of college coaches. He created highlight tapes and sent them out to schools he would consider attending and this led to strong interest from many football programs around the nation. The process of recruiting was much different during Bradys time, in terms of recruiting in the 2000s, Brady would have been considered a Four-star quarterback
41.
New England Patriots
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The New England Patriots are a professional American football team based in the Greater Boston region. The Patriots compete in the National Football League as a club of the leagues American Football Conference East division. The Patriots are also headquartered at Gillette Stadium, an original member of the American Football League, the Patriots joined the NFL in the 1970 merger of the two leagues. The team changed its name from the original Boston Patriots after relocating to Foxborough in 1971, the Patriots played their home games at Foxboro Stadium from 1971 to 2001, then moved to Gillette Stadium at the start of the 2002 season. The Patriots rivalry with the New York Jets is considered one of the most bitter rivalries in the NFL. The Patriots have appeared in the Super Bowl nine times in franchise history, the Patriots have since become one of the most successful teams in NFL history, winning 14 AFC East titles in 16 seasons since 2001, without a losing season in that period. The team owns the record for most Super Bowls reached and won by a head coach–quarterback tandem, the Patriots are tied with the 49ers and Cowboys for the second most Super Bowl wins with five. The Steelers are in front with six, however, the Patriots are the only team to win five Super Bowls with the same coach and quarterback. On November 16,1959, Boston business executive Billy Sullivan was awarded the eighth, the following winter, locals were allowed to submit ideas for the Boston football teams official name. The most popular choice – and the one that Sullivan selected – was the Boston Patriots, immediately thereafter, artist Phil Bissell of The Boston Globe developed the Pat Patriot logo. The Patriots struggled for most of their years in the AFL, nickerson Field, Harvard Stadium, Fenway Park, and Alumni Stadium all served as home fields during their time in the American Football League. They played in only one AFL championship game, following the 1963 season and they did not appear again in an AFL or NFL post-season game for another 13 years. When the NFL and AFL merged in 1970, the Patriots were placed in the American Football Conference East division, the following year, the Patriots moved to a new stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, which would serve as their home for the next 30 years. As a result of the move, they announced they would change their name from the Boston Patriots to the Bay State Patriots, the name was rejected by the NFL and on March 22,1971, the team officially announced they would change its geographic name to New England. During the 1970s, the Patriots had some success, earning a berth to the playoffs in 1976—as a wild card team—and in 1978—as AFC East champions and they lost in the first round both times. In 1985, they returned to the playoffs, and made it all the way to Super Bowl XX, following their Super Bowl loss, they returned to the playoffs in 1986, but lost in the first round. The team would not make the playoffs again for eight more years, during the 1990 season, the Patriots went 1–15. They changed ownership three times in the ensuing 14 years, being purchased from the Sullivan family first by Victor Kiam in 1988, who sold the team to James Orthwein in 1992
42.
Brian Westbrook
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Brian Collins Westbrook is a former American football running back who played for nine seasons in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the round of the 2002 NFL Draft after playing college football for Villanova University. Following an eight-year career with the Eagles, in which he earned two Pro Bowl selections in 2004 and 2007, Westbrook signed with the San Francisco 49ers, for whom he played in 2010. Westbrook was also a nominee to enter the 2016 Pro Football Hall of Fame class, his first year of eligibility, Westbrook attended DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, Maryland and was an excellent student and a letterman in football and basketball. In football, as a senior, he was a first team All-League selection, a first team All-Prince Georges County selection, as a junior, he was a first team All-Washington Catholic Athletic Conference selection and an All-State Honorable Mention selection. Westbrook played for the Villanova Wildcats football team while attending Villanova University from 1997 to 2001, though he battled through several injuries, he holds the all-time NCAA record with 9,512 all-purpose yards, breaking the 9,301 yards accumulated by Brian Shay of Emporia State University. Along the way, he established 41 school,13 Atlantic 10 Conference and he is one of only three players in Villanova history to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season and he accomplished that feat three times. Westbrook was a consensus All-America and two-time CAA offensive player of the year and was the 2001 recipient of the Walter Payton Award, as a senior, he amassed 2,823 combined net yards and scored 29 touchdowns. Philadelphia Eagles head coach Andy Reid liked what he had seen from Westbrook, Westbrook saw limited time in the 2002 season, but he threw a touchdown pass to wide receiver Todd Pinkston on a trick play in a September 2002 rout of the Dallas Cowboys. He made his mark in the NFL in the 2003 season with a fourth quarter punt return for a touchdown to defeat the New York Giants 14-10 in the minutes on October 19,2003. The play managed to turn the Eagles season around as they went to the NFC Championship Game, Westbrook, who scored eleven touchdowns by ground and air, missed the playoffs that year after tearing a triceps muscle in the final game of the season against the Washington Redskins. After the departure of previous starter Duce Staley and an injury to Correll Buckhalter. In the playoffs, Westbrook had 117 yards from scrimmage and a touchdown in a 27-14 win against the Vikings, Westbrook and the Eagles would go on to play in the citys first Super Bowl in 25 years. He would have a performance in Philadelphias Super Bowl loss to the New England Patriots, rushing for 44 yards, catching seven passes for 60 yards. He also played in his first Pro Bowl the following week, Westbrook signed a five-year contract extension with the Eagles in November 2005, after holding out of training camp and months of hectic negotiations. During the 2005 season, numerous Eagles starters battled injuries throughout the year. Westbrook resumed his productivity in 2006, despite early injury concerns over a swollen knee, with a season-ending injury to McNabb on November 19,2006, Westbrook stepped up and became the keystone of the Philadelphia offense. On November 26,2006, he became the first Eagle to rush for over 100 yards in three games since Wilbert Montgomery did it 25 years earlier
43.
Philadelphia Eagles
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The Philadelphia Eagles are a professional American football franchise based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Eagles compete in the National Football League as a club of the leagues National Football Conference East division. The franchise was established in 1933 as a replacement for the bankrupt Frankford Yellow Jackets, when a group led by Bert Bell secured the rights to an NFL franchise in Philadelphia. Bell, Chuck Bednarik, Bob Brown, Reggie White, Steve Van Buren, Tommy McDonald, Greasy Neale, Pete Pihos, Sonny Jurgensen, the team has an intense rivalry with the New York Giants. This rivalry is the oldest in the NFC East and is among the oldest in the NFL and they also have a historic rivalry with the Washington Redskins, as well as their bitter rivalry with the Dallas Cowboys, which has become more high-profile in the last three decades. The team consistently ranks in the top three in attendance and has sold out every game since the 1999 season, in a Sports Illustrated poll of 321 NFL players, Eagles fans were selected the most intimidating fans in the NFL. Midway through the 1931 season, the Frankford Yellow Jackets went bankrupt, the Bell-Wray group had to pay an entry fee of $3,500 and assumed a total debt of $11,000 that was owed to three other NFL franchises. Neither the Eagles nor the NFL officially regard the two franchises as the same, citing the period of dormancy. Furthermore, almost no Yellow Jackets players were on the Eagles first roster, the Eagles, along with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the now-defunct Cincinnati Reds, joined the NFL as expansion teams. To accommodate football at Shibe Park during the winter, management set up stands in right field, some 20 feet high, these east stands had 22 rows of seats. The goalposts stood along the first base line and in left field, the uncovered east stands enlarged capacity of Shibe Park to over 39,000, but the Eagles rarely drew more than 25 to 30,000. The Eagles struggled over the course of their first decade, enduring repeated losing seasons, soon after, Bell and Rooney traded the Eagles franchise to Thompson and moved it to Pittsburgh, while Thompson moved the Steelers franchise to Philadelphia. By the late 1940s, head coach Earle Greasy Neale and running back Steve Van Buren led the team to three consecutive NFL Championship Games, winning two of them in 1948 and 1949. After the 1957 season, the Eagles moved from Connie Mack Stadium to Franklin Field at the University of Pennsylvania, Franklin Field would seat over 60,000 for the Eagles, whereas Connie Mack had a capacity of 39,000. The stadium switched from grass to AstroTurf in 1969 and it was the first NFL stadium to use artificial turf. In 1960, the Eagles won their third NFL championship, under the leadership of future Pro Football Hall of Famers Norm Van Brocklin and Chuck Bednarik, the head coach was Buck Shaw. The 1960 Eagles, by a score of 17–13, became the team to defeat Vince Lombardi. The Eagles had a good 1961 season and then fell on hard times in 1962
44.
Randy Moss
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Randy Gene Moss is a former American football wide receiver who played 14 seasons in the National Football League. Moss played college football for Marshall University, and twice earned All-America honors and he was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings in the first round of the 1998 NFL Draft, where he played for seven years before a trade in 2005 brought him to the Oakland Raiders. On April 29,2007, Moss was traded to the New England Patriots for a draft pick. On October 6,2010, Moss returned to the Vikings in a trade from the Patriots, however, his second stint in Minnesota was short-lived, as he was waived by the team less than a month later, and claimed by the Tennessee Titans. After sitting out the 2011 season, Moss signed a contract with the San Francisco 49ers for the 2012 season then opted to retire prior to the 2013 season. Moss was born and raised in Rand, West Virginia and he attended DuPont High School, one of two schools that later consolidated into Riverside High School, where he excelled in football, basketball, baseball, and track. Randy was also on the debate team. On the football field, Moss led the DuPont Panthers to back-to-back state championships in 1992 and 1993 and he was a star at wide receiver, but also played free safety, returned kickoffs and punts, and was the teams kicker and punter. In 1994, he was honored with the Kennedy Award as the West Virginia Football Player of the Year, parade magazine named him to their annual All-American high school football team in 1995 and in 2009 named him one of the 50 greatest high school football players of all time. At DuPont, he was a teammate of future Chicago Bears linebacker Bobbie Howard, in addition to playing football at DuPont, Moss was twice named West Virginia Player of the Year in basketball, where he was a teammate of future NBA player Jason Williams. This was the year he competed on the schools track team. He also played center field for the baseball team, Mosss dream was to play for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, but he also considered going to Ohio State, where his half-brother, Eric, had played offensive tackle. Former Notre Dame head coach Lou Holtz said Randy Moss was the best high school football player Ive ever seen, Florida State head coach Bobby Bowden said He was as good as Deion Sanders. Deions my measuring stick for athletic ability, and this kid was just a bigger Deion, after originally signing a letter of intent to play college football with Notre Dame in 1995, Moss took part in a racially charged fight at his high school that left one person hospitalized. On March 23,1995, Moss had backed a friend in a fight against a white student who had allegedly used racist comments towards Randys friend. Moss was initially charged with a felony for kicking the student, on August 1,1995, Moss pleaded guilty to two counts of misdemeanor battery and was sentenced to 30 days behind bars at the South Central Regional Jail in Charleston, West Virginia. He served 3 days in jail starting that night and would be required to serve the remaining 27 days within the following 18 months, Moss was expelled from DuPont and completed his education at Cabell Alternative School. Notre Dame subsequently denied his enrollment application, but this did not stop another high-profile college football program from giving him a chance, Notre Dame officials suggested he attend Florida State due to the reputation of its coach, Bobby Bowden, for handling troubled players
45.
Dallas Cowboys
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The Dallas Cowboys are a professional American football team based in the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex. The Cowboys compete in the National Football League as a club of the leagues National Football Conference East division. The team is headquartered in Frisco, Texas, and plays its games at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The stadium took its current name prior to the 2013 season, the Cowboys joined the NFL as an expansion team in 1960. The teams national following might best be represented by its NFL record of consecutive sell-outs, the Cowboys streak of 190 consecutive sold-out regular and post-season games began in 2002. This has also corresponded to eight NFC championships, most in the NFC, the Cowboys are the only NFL team to record 20 straight winning seasons, in which they only missed the playoffs twice, an NFL record that remains unchallenged. In 2015, the Dallas Cowboys became the first sports team to be valued at $4 billion, making it the most valuable team in the world. The Cowboys also generated $620 million in revenue in 2014, a record for a U. S. sports team. Prior to the formation of the Dallas Cowboys, there had not been an NFL team south of Washington, D. C. since the Dallas Texans folded in 1952. Oilman Clint Murchison Jr. had been trying to get an NFL expansion team in Dallas, Murchison had tried to purchase the Washington Redskins from Marshall in 1958. An agreement was struck, but as the deal was about to be finalized and this infuriated Murchison and he called off the deal. Marshall then opposed any franchise for Murchison in Dallas, since NFL expansion needed unanimous approval from team owners at that time, Marshalls position would prevent Murchison from joining the league. Marshall had an out with the Redskins band leader Barnee Breeskin. Breeskin had written the music to the Redskins fight song Hail to the Redskins, Breeskin owned the rights to the song and was aware of Murchisons plight to get an NFL franchise. Angry with Marshall, Breeskin approached Murchisons attorney to him the rights to the song before the expansion vote in 1959. Murchison purchased Hail to the Redskins for $2,500, before the vote to award franchises in 1959, Murchison revealed to Marshall that he owned the song and Marshall could not play it during games. After a few Marshall expletives, Murchison gave the rights to Hail to the Redskins to Marshall for his vote, the one against Murchison getting a franchise at that time. From 1970 through 1979, the Cowboys won 105 regular season games, in addition, they appeared in 5 and won two Super Bowls, at the end of the 1971 and 1977 regular seasons
46.
Jeff Saturday
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Jeffrey Bryant Saturday is a former American football center. He played college football for the University of North Carolina and he was signed by the Baltimore Ravens as an undrafted free agent in 1998, but was cut by the team without playing a game. Thereafter, Saturday played 13 seasons for the Indianapolis Colts, where he won Super Bowl XLI over the Chicago Bears and was selected to four All-Pro teams and he made his sixth and last Pro Bowl as a member of the Green Bay Packers. Saturday was born in Atlanta, Georgia and he attended Shamrock High School in Decatur, Georgia, in 1993. His high school coach Ron Gartrell said in a 2012 Sports Illustrated story on Saturday, on defense we put Jeff on one side and all our other good players on the other side, because teams ran away from Jeff. He received an offer from the University of North Carolina partly because of Gartrells friendship with UNCs then-defensive coordinator Carl Torbush. As a junior in 1996 and again as a senior in 1997 and he was recognized as a first-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference selection at center in 1996 and 1997, and an Academic All-ACC selection in 1997. Saturdays college roommate Nate Hobgood-Chittick, a defensive tackle who would play three seasons in the NFL, later said, Jeff kicked our asses all over the practice field. I could count on one hand the number of times I beat him in a one-on-one drill, according to Sports Illustrated, Saturday was ranked as the No.11 center available in the 1998 NFL Draft. He was described as somewhat an overachiever, has worked to make himself better and he went undrafted, but the Baltimore Ravens signed him as a free agent on April 27,1998, only to waive him on June 12,1998. He then returned to Raleigh, North Carolina, and took a job as a manager at a supply store. Saturday first came to the attention of the Indianapolis Colts during the 1998 season, as Hobgood-Chittick would recall in 2012, I had no footing at all with that franchise, so I stood outside Polians door in my dirty sweats, saying a prayer. I walked in and said, Theres a guy selling electrical supplies in Raleigh right now who whipped all those first-round draft choices at North Carolina every day, polian looked at me and said, I love it. Lets get him in here for a workout, the Colts signed him as a free agent on January 7,1999. In his rookie season, Saturday backed up starting guard Steve McKinney, trivially, Saturday attempted a pass once, during a game in 2004, but it fell incomplete. Though the Colts won at least 10 regular season games for five years under Head Coach Tony Dungy. In 2006, the Colts went 12-4 in the regular season, on January 21,2007, Saturday helped the Colts win the AFC Championship game against the New England Patriots when he recovered a teammates fumble in the end zone and scored a touchdown. Saturday also provided the key block on the touchdown run by Joseph Addai
47.
Mario Williams
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Mario Jerrel Williams is an American football defensive end who is currently a free agent. He played college football for North Carolina State University, and was selected first overall by the Houston Texans in the 2006 NFL Draft, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, he has also played for the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins. Williams attended Richlands High School in Richlands, North Carolina, where he was a star in football. He recorded 87 tackles,13 sacks,22 tackles for loss, five forced fumbles, also played running back as a senior because of injuries at that position, rushing for 590 yards and three touchdowns on 58 carries. As a junior, he recorded over 100 tackles and he was selected to the 2002 North Carolina Shrine Bowl team where he notched four sacks. He was an Associated Press All-State selection in 2002 and he was just one of three North Carolina High School players to be named to FoxSNs 2002 Countdown to Signing Day All-South team. His high school number was retired, Williams also competed in track & field, and was a state qualifier in the shot put. He was ranked No.8 in SuperPreps Elite 50 overall and he was considered the fifth-best defensive end in the country by BorderWars. com, while Rivals100. com ranked him ninth. Williams attended North Carolina State University, where he played for the NC State Wolfpack football team from 2003 to 2005, on October 1,2006, Williams recorded his first sack and a half against Miami Dolphins quarterback Daunte Culpepper in the Texans first win of the season. Three weeks later, Williams sacked Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Byron Leftwich, in the 2006 season, Williams started all 16 games with 47 tackles,4.5 sacks, and 1 forced fumble. Early in the 2007 season, Williams played well, with a performance in the first game. Williams made five tackles, two sacks, and returned a fumble by Kansas City Chiefs fullback Kris Wilson for a touchdown. He had particularly big games against the Denver Broncos and Tennessee Titans, sacking quarterback Jay Cutler 3.5 times and his first sack of 2007 was of Peyton Manning. Before the game, Indianapolis Colts coach Tony Dungy compared Williams to Colts Pro Bowl defensive end Dwight Freeney, Williams finished the 2007 season by starting all 16 games with 59 total tackles and 14 sacks. The 2007 season was a year that Williams answered many of the critics that he gained because of his lofty top draft pick status, in 2007, through 15 games, Williams accounted for 48 percent of the Texans sacks, a higher percentage than any other player. Williams was a first-team All-Pro selection by the Sporting News, Williams was not elected to the Pro Bowl game, but was voted an alternate to the game. In 2008, Williams amassed 12 sacks and 53 tackles in 16 games and this effort included three sacks and one forced fumble in the Texans first ever Monday Night Football game on December 1,2008. For his efforts, Williams was selected for his first Pro Bowl as a starter and was a first-team All-Pro selection by the Sporting News for the consecutive season
48.
Houston Texans
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The Houston Texans are a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. The team competes in the National Football League as a club of the American Football Conference South division. The Texans first played in 2002 as a team, making them the youngest franchise in the NFL currently. The Texans replaced Houstons previous franchise, the Houston Oilers, which moved to Nashville, the teams majority owner is Bob McNair. While the team struggled in the 2000s, they clinched its first playoff berth during the 2011 season as AFC South division champions. The Texans have gone on to win more AFC South championships in 2012,2015, to date, the Texans are the only NFL franchise to have never played in a conference championship game. In 1996, an earlier, the Cleveland Browns had controversially relocated to become the Baltimore Ravens. As part of the settlement between the NFL, the city of Cleveland, Ohio, and the owned by Art Modell. In order to out the franchisees at 32, the league also contemplated adding another expansion franchise. In association with Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, they would push for a domed stadium as part of the bid to lure the NFL back to Houston, on October 6,1999 the NFL awarded the 32nd team to Houston, at the cost of $700 million. The Houston Texans joined the league at the 2002 NFL season, while the team struggled in early seasons, results began to improve once native Houstonian Gary Kubiak became the head coach in 2006. The Texans finished with a.500 season in both 2007 and 2008, and nearly qualified for the 2009–10 NFL playoffs with a 9–7 result in 2009. In 2010, the team started the season on a 4–2 record going into a Week 7 bye week, the Texans then beat wild card Cincinnati Bengals 31–10 in the first round of the 2011–12 NFL playoffs, before a 20–13 defeat by the Ravens in the semifinals. The Texans surged as the team to beat in the AFC South in 2012, however, they lost three of their last four games to finish 12–4, beating the rival Indianapolis Colts in that four-game stretch allowed them to clinch their 2nd AFC South title. The Texans beat the Bengals again in the round. The Texans started 2–0 in 2013 but went into a tailspin, Kubiak was fired as head coach after being swept by the rival Jacksonville Jaguars, who themselves started 0–8. Wade Phillips filled in as coach, but the Texans poor form did not change. The 14-game losing streak is also the worst in franchise history, the Texans entered the 2014 season with a 14-game losing streak
49.
Kansas City Chiefs
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The Kansas City Chiefs are a professional American football team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Chiefs compete in the National Football League as a club of the leagues American Football Conference West division. The team was founded in 1960 as the Dallas Texans by businessman Lamar Hunt and was a member of the American Football League. In 1963, the relocated to Kansas City and assumed their current name. The Chiefs joined the NFL as a result of the merger in 1970, the team is valued at just under $1 billion. The Chiefs were also the team, after the Green Bay Packers, to appear in more than one Super Bowl. The Chiefs Wild-Card playoff victory ended what was at the time the third-longest drought in the NFL, in 1959, Lamar Hunt began discussions with other businessmen to establish a professional football league that would rival the National Football League. Hunts desire to secure a team was heightened after watching the 1958 NFL Championship Game between the New York Giants and Baltimore Colts. After unsuccessful attempts to purchase and relocate the NFLs Chicago Cardinals to his hometown of Dallas, Texas, Hunt went to the NFL and asked to create an expansion franchise in Dallas. The NFL turned him down, so Hunt then established the American Football League and started his own team, the Dallas Texans, to begin play in 1960. Hunt hired an assistant coach from the University of Miami football team, Hank Stram, to be the teams head coach after the job offer was declined by Bud Wilkinson. The Texans shared the Cotton Bowl with the NFLs cross-town competition Dallas Cowboys for three seasons, the Texans were to have exclusive access to the stadium until the NFL put an expansion team, the Dallas Cowboys, there. While the team averaged a league-best 24,500 at the Cotton Bowl, in the franchises first two seasons, the team managed only a 14–14 record. In their third season, the Texans strolled to an 11–3 record, the game was broadcast nationally on ABC and the Texans defeated the Oilers 20–17 in double overtime. The game lasted 77 minutes and 54 seconds, which stands as the longest championship game in professional football history. It turned out to be the last game the team would play as the Dallas Texans and he considered moving the Texans to either Atlanta or Miami for the 1963 season. However, he was swayed by an offer from Kansas City Mayor Harold Roe Bartle. Bartle promised to triple the franchises season ticket sales and expand the capacity of Municipal Stadium to accommodate the team
