Made in America: The top NFL players from all 50 states
Despite its many controversies, football remains as popular as ever, and the sport is inherently American.
While the other three major sports leagues import a significant portion of their workforce from other countries, much of the talent in the NFL is born and bred in the USA.
Here's our list of the top NFL players to ever come out of the 50 states (and D.C.).
*Titles signify Super Bowl wins and NFL championships. All-Pro denotes first-team All-Pro selections. Stats for tackles were unavailable prior to 2001, and sacks were unavailable prior to 1982.
Alabama - Bart Starr, QB
| Seasons | Pass Yds | TDs | MVPs | Titles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | 24718 | 152 | 1 | 7 |
We kick off this list with the pride of Montgomery, Ala. Hundreds of NFLers have hailed from Alabama, but Starr is the only Hall of Famer with two Super Bowl rings (I and II), five NFL championships, and an MVP to his name.
Honorable Mention: Terrell Owens, DeMarcus Ware
Alaska - Mark Schlereth, G| Seasons | Games Played | Pro Bowls | Titles |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 156 | 2 | 3 |
Not only is he the most experienced player from America's largest state, he's a three-time Super Bowl champion, beating out receiver Steve Smith's single championship ring.
Honorable Mention: Steve Smith, Daryn Colledge
Arizona - Randall McDaniel, G| Seasons | Games Played | Pro Bowls | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 222 | 12 | 7 |
Of the two Hall of Famers from the Grand Canyon State, McDaniel made a grander impact than Culp, starting 202 consecutive games and appearing in 12 straight Pro Bowls.
Honorable Mention: Curley Culp, Darren Woodson
Arkansas - Don Hutson, WR| Receptions | Rec Yds | TDs | MVPs | Titles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 488 | 7991 | 99 | 2 | 3 |
Hutson is credited with revolutionizing the receiver position and creating many of the routes still used today. He led the NFL in receiving in eight of his 11 seasons and won back-to-back MVP honors in 1941 and 1942.
Honorable Mention: Cortez Kennedy, Willie Roaf
California - Tom Brady, QB| Seasons | Pass Yds | TDs | MVPs | Titles |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18 | 66159 | 488 | 3 | 5 |
The Golden State has the second-most active players, but none are as big as the Golden Boy. San Mateo produced a sixth-round pick that went on to become the greatest player of all time.
Honorable Mention: Marcus Allen, Junior Seau
Colorado - Earl Clark, TB| Rush Yds | TDs | Pass Yds | Titles | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2772 | 36 | 1507 | 1 | 6 |
"Dutch" Clark is Colorado's lone Pro Football Hall of Famer. He was a triple threat as a tailback, passer, and kicker for the Detroit Lions in the '30s. He remains the state's best export to the NFL, followed closely by the still-active Calais Campbell.
Honorable Mention: Calais Campbell, Vincent Jackson
Connecticut - Dwight Freeney, DE
| Seasons | Tackles | Sacks | Titles | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | 283 | 125.5 | 1 | 3 |
For one of the smallest states in the U.S. by total area, a significant amount of NFL talent has come out of Connecticut. Floyd Little, Bill Romanowski, Eugene Robinson, and John Carney all had notable careers, but not like Freeney. The pass-rusher retired in April after collecting 125.5 sacks over a 16-year career.
Honorable Mention: Floyd Little, Andy Robustelli
Delaware - Luke Petitgout, T| Seasons | Games Played | Pro Bowls | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 117 | 0 | 0 |
Delaware is half the size of Connecticut, and has produced significantly fewer NFLers. Petitgout, an offensive lineman for 10 seasons, is the state's longest-tenured player by games played.
Honorable Mention: Paul Worrilow, Jamie Duncan
District of Columbia - Jonathan Ogden, T| Seasons | Games Played | Titles | Pro Bowls | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 177 | 1 | 11 | 4 |
Andrew Luck has designs on this slot, but it's currently occupied by the Baltimore Ravens' monstrous former left tackle. Ogden was selected to the Pro Bowl in 11 consecutive seasons and won a championship with the Ravens in 2000.
Honorable Mention: Brian Westbrook, Andrew Luck
Florida - Deion Sanders, CB| Seasons | INTs | TDs | Titles | Pro Bowls | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 53 | 19 | 2 | 8 | 6 |
In a loaded state that boasts the most active players, "Primetime" gets the nod for his unquestioned status as the most influential and best athlete to come out of Florida. Emmitt Smith is the league's all-time leading rusher, but Sanders' influence on the game has been felt for decades. He's one of the best to ever do it.
Honorable Mention: Emmitt Smith, Ray Lewis
Georgia - Jim Brown, RB| Rush Yds | TDs | MVPs | Titles | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12312 | 106 | 3 | 1 | 8 |
He posted at least 1,250 rushing yards in seven of his nine seasons in an era of 12-to-14-game campaigns. Brown was the GOAT before that conversation even started.
Honorable Mention: Herschel Walker, Cam Newton
Hawaii - Olin Kreutz, C
| Seasons | Games Played | Pro Bowls | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 195 | 6 | 1 |
The island state is a developing hotbed for football. The sport has never been as popular at the Pop Warner and high school levels, and native son Tua Tagovailoa is a college icon after rescuing Alabama in the national championship game. At the NFL level, most of Hawaii's best products played in the trenches.
Honorable Mention: Dominic Raiola, Marcus Mariota
Idaho - Larry Wilson, DB| Seasons | INTs | TDs | Pro Bowls | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 52 | 7 | 8 | 5 |
The Gem State has unearthed just one Hall of Famer. While Jake Plummer may be the most popular player to come from Idaho, his credentials (one Pro Bowl) don't equal Wilson's.
Honorable Mention: Jake Plummer, Merril Hoge
Illinois - Otto Graham, QB| Pass Yds | TDs | Titles | Pro Bowls | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23584 | 174 | 7 | 5 | 7 |
Some of the NFL's most intimidating figures came from rough and tumble Illinois - Ray Nitschke, George Halas, Dick Butkus. Graham, however, remains the state's flag bearer.
Honorable Mention: Dick Butkus, Shannon Sharpe
Indiana - Rod Woodson, S| Seasons | INTs | TDs | Titles | Pro Bowls | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 71 | 17 | 1 | 11 | 6 |
The Hoosier State is known for hooping, but Indiana can take pride in the wealth of NFL talent it has birthed. Bob Griese deserves plaudits for his role in the Miami Dolphins' two Super Bowl titles, though Woodson and Chris Doleman were superior athletes.
Honorable Mention: Chris Doleman, Bob Griese
Iowa - Kurt Warner, QB| Pass Yds | TDs | MVPs | Titles | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 32344 | 208 | 2 | 1 | 2 |
Warner put Iowa on the map - including the Hy-Vee where he famously bagged groceries before his star turn. He's the lone Hall of Famer from the Hawkeye State, though Darren Sproles and David Johnson may someday join him.
Honorable Mention: Darren Sproles, David Johnson
Kansas - Barry Sanders, RB
| Rush Yds | TDs | MVPs | Pro Bowl | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15269 | 99 | 1 | 10 | 6 |
Kansas, particularly Wichita, is a breeding ground for some of the best running backs to ever play in the NFL. Sanders and Gale Sayers may have gone down as the best to ever play if not for their shortened careers.
Honorable Mention: Gale Sayers, John Riggins
Kentucky - Champ Bailey, CB| Seasons | INTs | TDs | Pro Bowls | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | 52 | 4 | 12 | 3 |
A true shutdown corner, Bailey is a cinch to be inducted into the Hall of Fame when he's eligible in 2019. Though he was raised in Georgia and spent his collegiate career there, he was born in Fort Campbell, Ky.
Honorable Mention: Shaun Alexander, Phil Simms
Louisiana - Peyton Manning, QB| Pass Yds | TDs | MVPs | Titles | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 71940 | 539 | 5 | 2 | 7 |
The Sheriff owns many of the NFL's most hallowed records, including the most passing yards, passing touchdowns, and MVP trophies won. An all-time great if there ever was one.
Honorable Mention: Marshall Faulk, Terry Bradshaw
Maine - Al Harris, DE| Seasons | Games Played | Pro Bowls | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 149 | 0 | 0 |
Only 26 pros have come from the Northeastern state, the most notable being an 11-year vet who featured for the Bears in the '80s.
Honorable Mention: John Bunting, Will Montgomery
Maryland - NaVorro Bowman, LB| Seasons | Tackles | Pro Bowls | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 798 | 3 | 4 |
Todd Gurley has won league awards in two of his first three seasons, putting him on pace to become the best NFL player from Maryland. For now, that title still rests with Bowman, a four-time All-Pro.
Honorable Mention: Todd Gurley, Antonio Freeman
Massachusetts - Howie Long, DE| Seasons | Sacks | Titles | Pro Bowls | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 84 | 1 | 8 | 2 |
Long and Nick Buoniconti are both legends of the sport, but the former gets the nod for his sheer physical dominance.
Honorable Mention: Nick Buoniconti, Matt Hasselbeck
Michigan - Antonio Gates, TE
| Seasons | Rec Yds | TDs | Pro Bowls | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | 11508 | 114 | 8 | 3 |
Though Jerome Bettis is Detroit's favorite native son, Gates is the best talent to come out of Michigan. Currently sixth in all-time touchdown receptions, Gates will likely eventually join Bettis in Canton.
Honorable Mention: Jerome Bettis, Paul Krause
Minnesota - Larry Fitzgerald, WR| Seasons | Rec Yds | TDs | Pro Bowls | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | 15545 | 110 | 11 | 1 |
The pride and joy of Minneapolis, Minn., Fitz famously first set foot on an NFL field as a Vikings ballboy. He'll soon trail only Jerry Rice in career receptions. They're already working on his Hall of Fame bust.
Honorable Mention: Dave Casper, Terrell Suggs
Mississippi - Jerry Rice, WR| Seasons | Rec Yds | TDs | Titles | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 20 | 22895 | 197 | 3 | 10 |
Many of the NFL's all-time greats are products of the Magnolia State, which has given us the game's best receiver, arguably the best running back, and one of the most popular quarterbacks. Thank you, Mississippi.
Honorable Mention: Walter Payton, Brett Favre
Missouri - Kellen Winslow, TE| Seasons | Rec Yds | TDs | Pro Bowls | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 6741 | 45 | 5 | 3 |
Winslow and Ozzie Newsome are credited with revolutionizing the tight end position, turning it from a blocking role to that of a pass-catcher and the focus of an offense. He benefited from Don Coryell's aerial attack to become one of just eight tight ends from the modern era with a bust in Canton.
Honorable Mention: Roger Wehrli, Lawyer Milloy
Montana - Jerry Kramer, G| Seasons | Games Played | Titles | Pro Bowls | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 130 | 7 | 3 | 5 |
Ryan Leaf was the state's most highly touted prospect. While his tenure is fodder for the hall of shame, Kramer will be inducted with the league's best in August.
Honorable Mention: Wayne Hawkins, Pat Donovan
Nebraska - Mick Tingelhoff, C| Seasons | Games Played | Titles | Pro Bowls | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 240 | 1 | 6 | 5 |
Nebraska is better-known for its college football than its pro talent. Tingelhoff is far and away the best and most decorated NFLer to come from the Cornhusker State.
Honorable Mention: Tom Rathman, Ahman Green
Nevada - Max McGee, WR
| Seasons | Rec Yds | TDs | Titles | Pro Bowls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 6346 | 50 | 7 | 1 |
The Packers legend did right by his native state of Nevada, hitting the town the night before Super Bowl I. He went on to score the first touchdown in Super Bowl history.
Honorable Mention: Steven Jackson, DeMarco Murray
New Hampshire - Greg Landry, QB| Seasons | Pass Yds | TDs | Pro Bowls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | 16052 | 98 | 1 |
The NFL talent from New Hampshire is sparse. Of the 24 players to come from the small New England state, John Bosa arguably made the biggest contribution to the game ... when he sired Joey and Nick Bosa.
Honorable Mention: Don Macek, Sherman White
New Jersey - Franco Harris, RB| Rush Yds | TDs | Titles | Pro Bowls | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12120 | 91 | 4 | 9 | 1 |
Jersey's best export has his fingerprints all over the NFL's history books.
Honorable Mention: Troy Vincent, Joe Theismann
New Mexico - Ronnie Lott, S| Tackles | INTs | Titles | Pro Bowls | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1113 | 63 | 4 | 10 | 6 |
Albuquerque has produced its fair share of NFLers, none more famous and talented than Lott. The do-it-all defensive back played a central role in four Super Bowl championships.
Honorable Mention: Tommy McDonald, Joe Kapp
New York - Rob Gronkowski, TE| Rec Yds | TDs | Titles | Pro Bowls | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7179 | 76 | 2 | 5 | 4 |
Of all the accomplished quarterbacks, running backs, and other position players to come from New York, Gronk looms largest. His credentials would be even more impressive if he hadn't suffered serious injuries in the prime of his career.
Honorable Mention: Sid Luckman, Kevin Greene
North Carolina - Julius Peppers, DE| Seasons | Tackles | Sacks | Pro Bowls | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 693 | 154.5 | 9 | 3 |
This title has long been held by Bruce Matthews, but Peppers has featured for his home state's team for the majority of his career. He's the active leader in career sacks. He'd need to play well into his 40s to challenge Bruce Smith's 200 mark, though.
Honorable Mention: Bruce Matthews, Carl Eller
North Dakota - Pete Retzlaff, WR| Rec Yds | TDs | Titles | Pro Bowls | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7412 | 47 | 1 | 5 | 1 |
One of the most sparsely populated states in the country hasn't produced many players who have thrived in the NFL. Retzlaff, a receiver, had the most accomplished career.
Honorable Mention: Gary Larsen, Phil Hansen
Ohio - Jack Lambert, LB
| Seasons | Games Played | Titles | Pro Bowls | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 146 | 4 | 9 | 6 |
Ohioans are well represented in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. In a debate that involves 27 members, Lambert's trophy case gives him the edge.
Honorable Mention: Charles Woodson, Len Dawson
Oklahoma - Steve Largent, WR| Seasons | Rec Yds | TDs | Pro Bowls | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 13089 | 100 | 7 | 1 |
For a state that produced the likes of (Bill) Goldberg, the least physically imposing player stands up as the best from Oklahoma. When he retired in 1989, Largent held the records for most receptions, reception yards, receiving touchdowns, and consecutive games with a catch.
Honorable Mention: Lee Roy Selmon, Wes Welker
Oregon - Ndamukong Suh, DT| Seasons | Tackles | Sacks | Pro Bowls | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | 420 | 51.5 | 5 | 3 |
Terrifying defenders appear to be an Oregon staple. In a discussion about the state's best, the contenders are Suh and "The Intimidator" Dave Wilcox. Suh earns the distinction by a foot.
Honorable Mention: Dave Wilcox, Neil Lomax
Pennsylvania - Joe Montana, QB| Pass Yds | TDs | MVPs | Titles | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40551 | 273 | 2 | 4 | 3 |
Pennsylvania has produced the most Pro Football Hall of Famers with 33 enshrinees, including legendary quarterbacks Montana, Dan Marino, Johnny Unitas, Joe Namath, Jim Kelly, and George Blanda.
Honorable Mention: Dan Marino, Johnny Unitas
Rhode Island - Gerry Philbin, DE| Seasons | Games Played | Titles | Pro Bowls | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10 | 123 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
The smallest state in the U.S. has made a tiny imprint on America's game. Rhode Island developed 39 NFLers. Philbin's 10-year career was the best among them.
Honorable Mention: Al Del Greco, Tom Mitchell
South Carolina - Art Shell, T| Seasons | Games Played | Titles | Pro Bowls | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | 207 | 2 | 8 | 2 |
The Southern state is stocked with current NFL talent. Among the stars in today's game, A.J. Green, DeAndre Hopkins, and Josh Norman hail from South Carolina, though none of their careers equal Shell's or Harry Carson's yet.
Honorable Mention: Harry Carson, A.J. Green
South Dakota - Norm Van Brocklin, QB| Pass Yds | TDs | MVPs | Titles | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23611 | 173 | 1 | 2 | 1 |
Van Brocklin, the 1960 NFL MVP, is currently the only Hall of Famer from South Dakota, but he'll be joined by Vinatieri, five years after the kicker finally retires.
Honorable Mention: Adam Vinatieri, Jay Novacek
Tennessee - Reggie White, DE
| Seasons | Sacks | Titles | Pro Bowls | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | 198 | 1 | 13 | 8 |
There's no discussion here. The Minister of Defense holds this title for the foreseeable future.
Honorable Mention: Lynn Swann, Jason Witten
Texas - Eric Dickerson, RB| Seasons | Rush Yds | TDs | Pro Bowls | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 13259 | 90 | 6 | 5 |
Texas has produced the largest contingent of pro football players. Nearly 2,500 athletes have come from the Lone Star State, making for a lively debate about the best player. Dickerson remains the standard-bearer that an all-time great like Adrian Peterson continues to chase.
Honorable Mention: Adrian Peterson, Mike Singletary
Utah - Steve Young, QB| Pass Yds | TDs | MVPs | Titles | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33124 | 232 | 2 | 3 | 3 |
Young's path to the NFL from Salt Lake City was anything but straight. The two-time MVP is the best football player that Utah has produced.
Honorable Mention: Merlin Olsen, Carnell Lake
Vermont - Steve Wisniewski, G| Seasons | Games Played | Pro Bowls | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | 206 | 8 | 2 |
Only 10 NFL players have come out of America's second-smallest state in population. One who did emerge from the mountains was Wisniewski, an eight-time Pro Bowler.
Honorable Mention: Bob Yates, Bob Laraba
Virginia - Lawrence Taylor, LB| Sacks | MVPs | Titles | Pro Bowls | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 132.5 | 1 | 2 | 10 | 8 |
Virginia should be regarded as one of the NFL's most talent-rich states. It isn't among the leaders in pros produced (460 - 16th), but the players that did make the league left an indelible mark. Michael Vick, Charles Haley, the Barber twins, and Willie Lanier are among the stars who didn't make the cut to be considered Virginia's best.
Honorable Mention: Fran Tarkenton, Bruce Smith
Washington - John Elway, QB| Pass Yds | TDs | MVPs | Titles | Pro Bowls |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 51475 | 300 | 1 | 2 | 9 |
One of the best to ever throw a football, Elway is unquestionably tops among NFL players from Washington.
Honorable Mention: Brian Urlacher, Karl Mecklenburg
West Virginia - Randy Moss, WR| Seasons | Rec Yds | TDs | Pro Bowls | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 15292 | 156 | 6 | 4 |
You'd be excused if you had never heard of an NFLer from West Virginia until Moss emerged. An athletic freak (6-foot-4 with the stride of a gazelle), Moss set receiving records from his rookie season onward.
Honorable Mention: Gino Marchetti, Sam Huff
Wisconsin - J.J. Watt, DE| Seasons | Tackles | Sacks | Pro Bowls | All-Pro |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 394 | 76 | 4 | 4 |
Watt could retire right now and go down as one of the best defensive players to ever grace the gridiron. Five years into his career, he'd already collected three Defensive Player of the Year awards and two seasons of 20-plus sacks.
Honorable Mention: Mike Webster, Jim Otto
Wyoming - Brett Keisel, DE| Tackles | Sacks | Titles | Pro Bowls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 254 | 30 | 2 | 1 |
We wrap this list up with Wyoming, which has produced 38 NFLers but lacks a Hall of Fame enshrinee.
Honorable Mention: Chris Cooley, Brady Poppinga
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)
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