The NFL is by far the most popular sports league in the United States. Americans from coast to coast tune in on Sundays to watch their teams, and kids all across the country dream of becoming an NFL superstar. For a select few, that dream comes true.
Getting to the NFL takes a combination of natural talent and hard work, but growing up in the right place can also help. Certain states produced a much higher number of NFL players and Hall of Famers than others. These are the teams with the most Hall of Famers.
The reason some states produce more NFL players is partially the result of population size. On the whole, states with larger populations produce the most Hall of Famers, and many of the best players in the country were born in states like California, Texas, and Florida.
But population size isn’t everything, as certain states have produced a much higher share of NFL players per capita. This disparity becomes obvious when you look at the success of college football programs, as some are located in hotbeds of football talent, enabling them to rack up championships and churn out NFL-ready players. These are the colleges that produce the best NFL players.
Though many states are not known as football factories, all 50 have produced at least one notable NFL player at some point in league history.
24/7 Wall St. reviewed the state where each NFL player was born, as provided by Pro-Football Reference, to determine the best player of all time from every state. To determine which player was best, we considered Hall of Fame status, Pro Bowl and All-Pro appearances, Super Bowl rings, and more.
Click here to see the best NFL player from your state.
Alabama: Terrell Owens, WR
> Birthplace: Alexander City
> Years active: 1996-2010
> Primary team(s): San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles
> Honors: 6x Pro Bowl, 5x All-pro, Hall of Fame
> Also considered: DeMarcus Ware
See all stories featuring: Alabama
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Alaska: Mark Schlereth, G
> Birthplace: Anchorage
> Years active: 1989-2000
> Primary team(s): Washington Redskins, Denver Broncos
> Honors: 2x Pro Bowl, 3x Super Bowl champion
> Also considered: Steve Smith
See all stories featuring: Alaska
Arizona: Randall McDaniel, G
> Birthplace: Phoenix
> Years active: 1988-2001
> Primary team(s): Minnesota Vikings
> Honors: 12x Pro Bowl, 7x All-pro, Hall of Fame
> Also considered: Darren Woodson
See all stories featuring: Arizona
Arkansas: Cortez Kennedy, DT
> Birthplace: Osceola
> Years active: 1990-2000
> Primary team(s): Seattle Seahawks
> Honors: 8x Pro Bowl, 3x All-pro, Defensive Player of the Year, Hall of Fame
> Also considered: Willie Roaf
See all stories featuring: Arkansas
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California: Tom Brady, QB
> Birthplace: San Mateo
> Years active: 2000-present
> Primary team(s): New England Patriots
> Honors: 14x Pro Bowl, 3x All-pro, 3x MVP, 6x Super Bowl champion
> Also considered: Aaron Rodgers
See all stories featuring: California
Colorado: Calais Campbell, DE
> Birthplace: Denver
> Years active: 2008-present
> Primary team(s): Arizona Cardinals, Jacksonville Jaguars
> Honors: 3x Pro Bowl, All-pro
> Also considered: Dutch Clark
See all stories featuring: Colorado
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Connecticut: Andy Robustelli, DE
> Birthplace: Stamford
> Years active: 1951-1964
> Primary team(s): Los Angeles Rams, New York Giants
> Honors: 7x Pro Bowl, 6x All-pro, 2x NFL champion, Hall of Fame
> Also considered: Dwight Freeney
See all stories featuring: Connecticut
Delaware: Luke Petitgout, T
> Birthplace: Milford
> Years active: 1999-2007
> Primary team(s): New York Giants
> Honors: None
> Also considered: Eddie Michaels
See all stories featuring: Delaware
Florida: Ray Lewis, LB
> Birthplace: Bartow
> Years active: 1996-2012
> Primary team(s): Baltimore Ravens
> Honors: 13x Pro Bowl, 7x All-pro, 2x Defensive Player of the Year, 2x Super Bowl champion, Hall of Fame
> Also considered: Deion Sanders
See all stories featuring: Florida
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Georgia: Jim Brown, FB
> Birthplace: St. Simons Island
> Years active: 1957-1965
> Primary team(s): Cleveland Browns
> Honors: 9x Pro Bowl, 8x All-pro, 3x MVP, NFL champion, Hall of Fame
> Also considered: John Hannah
See all stories featuring: Georgia
Hawaii: Olin Kreutz, C
> Birthplace: Honolulu
> Years active: 1998-2011
> Primary team(s): Chicago Bears
> Honors: 6x Pro Bowl, All-pro
> Also considered: Max Unger
See all stories featuring: Hawaii
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Idaho: Larry Wilson, S
> Birthplace: Rigby
> Years active: 1960-1972
> Primary team(s): St. Louis Cardinals
> Honors: 8x Pro Bowl, 5x All-pro, Hall of Fame
> Also considered: Jordan Gross
See all stories featuring: Idaho
Illinois: Dick Butkus, LB
> Birthplace: Chicago
> Years active: 1965-1973
> Primary team(s): Chicago Bears
> Honors: 8x Pro Bowl, 5x All-pro, Hall of Fame
> Also considered: Otto Graham
See all stories featuring: Illinois
Indiana: Rod Woodson, CB/S
> Birthplace: Fort Wayne
> Years active: 1987-2003
> Primary team(s): Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Ravens
> Honors: 11x Pro Bowl, 6x All-pro, Defensive Player of the Year, Super Bowl champion, Hall of Fame
> Also considered: Bob Griese
See all stories featuring: Indiana
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Iowa: Kurt Warner, QB
> Birthplace: Burlington
> Years active: 1998-2009
> Primary team(s): St. Louis Rams, Arizona Cardinals
> Honors: 4x Pro Bowl, 2x All-pro, 2x MVP, Super Bowl champion, Hall of Fame
> Also considered: Marshal Yanda
See all stories featuring: Iowa
Kansas: Barry Sanders, RB
> Birthplace: Wichita
> Years active: 1989-1998
> Primary team(s): Detroit Lions
> Honors: 10x Pro Bowl, 6x All-pro, MVP, Hall of Fame
> Also considered: Gale Sayers
See all stories featuring: Kansas
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Kentucky: Paul Hornung, HB
> Birthplace: Louisville
> Years active: 1957-1966
> Primary team(s): Green Bay Packers
> Honors: 2x Pro Bowl, 2x All-pro, MVP, 4x NFL champion, Super Bowl champion, Hall of Fame
> Also considered: Champ Bailey
See all stories featuring: Kentucky
Louisiana: Peyton Manning, QB
> Birthplace: New Orleans
> Years active: 1998-2015
> Primary team(s): Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos
> Honors: 14x Pro Bowl, 7x All-pro, 5x MVP, 2x Super Bowl champion
> Also considered: Marshall Faulk
See all stories featuring: Louisiana
Maine: Al Harris, LB/DE
> Birthplace: Bangor
> Years active: 1979-1990
> Primary team(s): Chicago Bears
> Honors: None
> Also considered: John Bunting
See all stories featuring: Maine
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Maryland: NaVorro Bowman, LB
> Birthplace: District Heights
> Years active: 2010-2017
> Primary team(s): San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders
> Honors: 3x Pro Bowl, 4x All-pro
> Also considered: Cameron Wake
See all stories featuring: Maryland
Massachusetts: Howie Long, DE
> Birthplace: Somerville
> Years active: 1981-1993
> Primary team(s): Oakland Raiders
> Honors: 8x Pro Bowl, 2x All-pro, Super Bowl champion, Hall of Fame
> Also considered: Nick Buoniconti
See all stories featuring: Massachusetts
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Michigan: Jerome Bettis, RB
> Birthplace: Detroit
> Years active: 1993-2005
> Primary team(s): Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Rams
> Honors: 6x Pro Bowl, 2x All-pro, Super Bowl champion, Hall of Fame
> Also considered: Antonio Gates
See all stories featuring: Michigan
Minnesota: Terrell Suggs, LB
> Birthplace: Minneapolis
> Years active: 2003-present
> Primary team(s): Baltimore Ravens, Arizona Cardinals
> Honors: 7x Pro Bowl, All-pro, Defensive Player of the Year, Super Bowl champion
> Also considered: Larry Fitzgerald
See all stories featuring: Minnesota
Mississippi: Jerry Rice, WR
> Birthplace: Crawford
> Years active: 1985-2004
> Primary team(s): San Francisco 49ers
> Honors: 13x Pro Bowl, 10x All-pro, 3x Super Bowl champion, Hall of Fame
> Also considered: Brett Favre
See all stories featuring: Mississippi
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Missouri: Kellen Winslow, TE
> Birthplace: St. Louis
> Years active: 1979-1987
> Primary team(s): San Diego Chargers
> Honors: 5x Pro Bowl, 3x All-pro, Hall of Fame
> Also considered: Roger Wehrli
See all stories featuring: Missouri
Montana: Jerry Kramer, G
> Birthplace: Jordan
> Years active: 1958-1968
> Primary team(s): Green Bay Packers
> Honors: 3x Pro Bowl, 5x All-pro, 5x NFL champion, 2x Super Bowl champion, Hall of Fame
> Also considered: Pat Donovan
See all stories featuring: Montana
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Nebraska: Mick Tingelhoff, C
> Birthplace: Lexington
> Years active: 1962-1978
> Primary team(s): Minnesota Vikings
> Honors: 6x Pro Bowl, 5x All-pro, Hall of Fame
> Also considered: Ahman Green
See all stories featuring: Nebraska
Nevada: DeMarco Murray, RB
> Birthplace: Las Vegas
> Years active: 2011-2017
> Primary team(s): Dallas Cowboys, Tennessee Titans
> Honors: 3x Pro Bowl, All-pro, Offensive Player of the Year
> Also considered: Max McGee
See all stories featuring: Nevada
New Hampshire: Greg Landry, QB
> Birthplace: Nashua
> Years active: 1968-1984
> Primary team(s): Detroit Lions
> Honors: Pro Bowl
> Also considered: Don Macek
See all stories featuring: New Hampshire
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New Jersey: Franco Harris, RB
> Birthplace: Fort Dix
> Years active: 1972-1984
> Primary team(s): Pittsburgh Steelers
> Honors: 9x Pro Bowl, All-pro, 4x Super Bowl champion, Hall of Fame
> Also considered: Jim Ringo
See all stories featuring: New Jersey
New Mexico: Ronnie Lott, CB/S
> Birthplace: Albuquerque
> Years active: 1981-1994
> Primary team(s): San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders
> Honors: 10x Pro Bowl, 6x All-pro, 4x Super Bowl champion, Hall of Fame
> Also considered: Tommy McDonald
See all stories featuring: New Mexico
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New York: Rob Gronkowski, TE
> Birthplace: Amherst
> Years active: 2010-2018
> Primary team(s): New England Patriots
> Honors: 5x Pro Bowl, 4x All-pro, 3x Super Bowl champion
> Also considered: Art Monk
See all stories featuring: New York
North Carolina: Bruce Matthews, C/G
> Birthplace: Raleigh
> Years active: 1983-2001
> Primary team(s): Houston Oilers, Tennessee Titans
> Honors: 14x Pro Bowl, 7x All-pro, Hall of Fame
> Also considered: Julius Peppers
See all stories featuring: North Carolina
North Dakota: Pete Retzlaff, TE
> Birthplace: Ellendale
> Years active: 1956-1966
> Primary team(s): Philadelphia Eagles
> Honors: 5x Pro Bowl, All-pro, NFL champion
> Also considered: Gary Larsen
See all stories featuring: North Dakota
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Ohio: Jack Lambert, LB
> Birthplace: Mantua
> Years active: 1974-1984
> Primary team(s): Pittsburgh Steelers
> Honors: 9x Pro Bowl, 6x All-pro, Defensive Player of the Year, 4x Super Bowl champion, Hall of Fame
> Also considered: Charles Woodson
See all stories featuring: Ohio
Oklahoma: Steve Largent, WR
> Birthplace: Tulsa
> Years active: 1976-1989
> Primary team(s): Seattle Seahawks
> Honors: 7x Pro Bowl, All-pro, Hall of Fame
> Also considered: Dan Hampton
See all stories featuring: Oklahoma
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Oregon: Ndamukong Suh, DT
> Birthplace: Portland
> Years active: 2010-present
> Primary team(s): Detroit Lions, Miami Dolphins
> Honors: 5x Pro Bowl, 3x All-pro
> Also considered: Dave Wilcox
See all stories featuring: Oregon
Pennsylvania: Joe Montana, QB
> Birthplace: New Eagle
> Years active: 1979-1994
> Primary team(s): San Francisco 49ers, Kansas City Chiefs
> Honors: 8x Pro Bowl, 3x All-pro, 2x MVP, 4x Super Bowl champion, Hall of Fame
> Also considered: Johnny Unitas
See all stories featuring: Pennsylvania
Rhode Island: Gerry Philbin, DE
> Birthplace: Pawtucket
> Years active: 1964-1973
> Primary team(s): New York Jets
> Honors: 2x Pro Bowl, 2x All-pro, Super Bowl champion
> Also considered: Bill Osmanski
See all stories featuring: Rhode Island
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South Carolina: Art Shell, T
> Birthplace: Charleston
> Years active: 1968-1982
> Primary team(s): Oakland Raiders
> Honors: 8x Pro Bowl, 2x All-pro, 2x Super Bowl champion, Hall of Fame
> Also considered: Richard Seymour
See all stories featuring: South Carolina
South Dakota: Norm Van Brocklin, QB
> Birthplace: Eagle Butte
> Years active: 1949-1960
> Primary team(s): Los Angeles Rams, Philadelphia Eagles
> Honors: 9x Pro Bowl, All-pro, MVP, 2x NFL champion, Hall of Fame
> Also considered: Adam Vinatieri
See all stories featuring: South Dakota
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Tennessee: Reggie White, DE
> Birthplace: Chattanooga
> Years active: 1985-2000
> Primary team(s): Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers
> Honors: 13x Pro Bowl, 8x All-pro, 2x Defensive Player of the Year, Super Bowl champion, Hall of Fame
> Also considered: Patrick Willis
See all stories featuring: Tennessee
Texas: Joe Greene, DT
> Birthplace: Temple
> Years active: 1969-1981
> Primary team(s): Pittsburgh Steelers
> Honors: 10x Pro Bowl, 4x All-pro, 2x Defensive Player of the Year, 4x Super Bowl champion, Hall of Fame
> Also considered: Drew Brees
See all stories featuring: Texas
Utah: Steve Young, QB
> Birthplace: Salt Lake City
> Years active: 1985-1999
> Primary team(s): San Francisco 49ers
> Honors: 7x Pro Bowl, 3x All-pro, 2x MVP, 3x Super Bowl champion, Hall of Fame
> Also considered: Merlin Olsen
See all stories featuring: Utah
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Vermont: Steve Wisniewski, G
> Birthplace: Rutland
> Years active: 1989-2001
> Primary team(s): Oakland Raiders
> Honors: 8x Pro Bowl, 2x All-pro
> Also considered: Bob Yates
See all stories featuring: Vermont
Virginia: Lawrence Taylor, LB
> Birthplace: Williamsburg
> Years active: 1981-1993
> Primary team(s): New York Giants
> Honors: 10x Pro Bowl, 8x All-pro, MVP, 3x Defensive Player of the Year, Hall of Fame
> Also considered: Bruce Smith
See all stories featuring: Virginia
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Washington: John Elway, QB
> Birthplace: Port Angeles
> Years active: 1983-1998
> Primary team(s): Denver Broncos
> Honors: 9x Pro Bowl, MVP, 2x Super Bowl champion, Hall of Fame
> Also considered: Brian Urlacher
See all stories featuring: Washington
West Virginia: Randy Moss, WR
> Birthplace: Rand
> Years active: 1998-2012
> Primary team(s): Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots
> Honors: 6x Pro Bowl, 4x All-pro
> Also considered: Gino Marchetti
See all stories featuring: West Virginia
Wisconsin: Mike Webster, C
> Birthplace: Tomahawk
> Years active: 1974-1990
> Primary team(s): Pittsburgh Steelers
> Honors: 9x Pro Bowl, 5x All-pro, 4x Super Bowl champion, Hall of Fame
> Also considered: J.J. Watt
See all stories featuring: Wisconsin
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Wyoming: Boyd Dowler, Flanker/Split end
> Birthplace: Rock Springs
> Years active: 1959-1969, 1971
> Primary team(s): Green Bay Packers, Washington Redskins
> Honors: 2x Pro Bowl, 5x NFL champion, 2x Super Bowl champion
> Also considered: Chris Cooley
See all stories featuring: Wyoming
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