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The NFL has seen its fair share of eccentric personalities. Over the years, some of these players have become more infamous for their antics than their play. Of course, others have been able to maintain their elite status while still showcasing their individuality. Those select few have become some of the most popular figures the sport has ever seen. Today, we look at the wildest personalities in NFL history, recognizing their fame would be even crazier in today’s day and age.
Deion Sanders
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When you’ve got a nickname like “Prime Time”, you know you’re special. Sanders was a freak of an athlete. Not only did he routinely embarrass people on both the football field and the baseball diamond, but Sanders did it with supreme style. Let us not forget his garish fashion sense (which he routinely showcased pre-game). However, Sanders’ proclivity for the fireworks happened when he laced up those cleats. He made playing the corner position a cool thing to do. Now, he’s brought the same swag to the University of Colorado as the Buffs’ head football coach.
Michael Irvin
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The heyday of the Dallas Cowboys involved a loud, confident, and supremely gifted Michael Irvin dominating the competition from his receiver spot. We could talk about Irvin’s accolades for days. He’s one of the best receivers of all time — primarily due to his jaw-dropping athletic ability combined with immense competitiveness. With that said, the Irving persona grew up from a larger-than-life feel dating back to his Miami days. As we continue to see on various NFL talk shows, Irvin isn’t shy about busting out loud suits that’ll glow in the darkest of environments.
Lawrence Taylor
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Taylor is likely the most feared individual to ever play in the NFL. We’ve seen elite defensive linemen since he’s played. However, Taylor sets the standard when it comes to pass-rushing threats off the edge. For as relentless and borderline psychotic he was (in a good way) on the field, Taylor was equally as colorful off the field. Without going into specifics, Taylor certainly enjoyed ‘the fast life’ when not playing football.
Joe Horn
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For roughly a five-year span, Horn was one of the most dynamic receivers in the NFL. The 4-time Pro Bowler scratched and clawed his way into becoming a premier receiver — largely due to his work ethic and brash confidence. He wasn’t shy when it came to speaking his mind — whether on or off the field. A perfect example of Horn’s colorful nature came during a 2003 contest versus the New York Giants. After scoring a touchdown, he reached underneath the goalpost padding and pulled out a cell phone. Horn then celebrated by pretending to make a call to someone. While this led to a fine of $30,000, we all enjoyed his antics thoroughly.
Bill Romanowski
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If you were to engineer a no-nonsense smash-mouth linebacker, you’d find Bill Romanowski. The dude was a psycho on the field (in the best way possible). He also wasn’t the nicest guy in practice, either (Google the ‘Marcus Williams incident’). A total fan favorite, Romanowski was anything but for teammates and those he played against. In recent times, Romanowski has embarked on a film career (appearing primarily in Adam Sandler films).
Shannon Sharpe
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Shannon — or ‘Unc’ as he’s affectionately referred to by many on social media — is the absolute man. The story of him becoming a three-time Super Bowl champion and a Hall of Famer is absolutely inspirational. A former seventh-round pick, he was looked at as an undersized tight end without much of a future. Boy, did he prove people wrong. His gigantic personality was routinely on display during interviews and moments on the sidelines. Sharpe could talk smack with the best of them and often backed it up. It’s not a surprise to see the highly talented Georgia native now co-hosting one of the most prominent sports talk shows on television today.
Terry Bradshaw
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Terry Bradshaw is an eclectic personality, to put it mildly. Of course, he’s known for winning four Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers. With that said, he’s also a highly entertaining individual — both as a player and currently as a commentator. There are few people as recognizable as Bradshaw within the sport. He is undoubtedly an integral component in the fabric that makes up the NFL.
Joe Namath
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Charisma oozed out of Namath’s pores. It’s understandable — considering he was the toast of the most prolific town (New York City) arguably in the world. “Broadway Joe” opened a nightclub during his playing days, routinely wore an oversized fur coat, and even had several acting roles during his playing days. When you win the New York Jets a Super Bowl, you can pretty much do anything you want.
Randy Moss
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The tremendously gifted receiver out of West Virginia redefined the receiver position. If we’re talking strictly athletic ability, Moss likely is a top-five athlete to ever compete in the NFL. He was that darn good. While his play on the field made him an absolute joy to watch, he also had the character to go along with it. In a playoff contest versus hated rival Green Bay, he scored a touchdown. This wasn’t something out of the ordinary. However, when celebrating in the end zone, he simulated the act of pulling his pants down and mooning those in attendance at Lambeau. To this day, it remains an all-time celebratory act.
Chad Johnson (aka Chad Ochocinco)
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Chad Johnson aka Ochocinco is certainly a legend when it comes to colorful NFL personalities. Receivers have the reputation as being the ‘divas’ on the football field — and Johnson was no exception to that rule. Was he entertaining on the football field? Absolutely. Johnson was a master at creating space for himself. He had sticky hands, buckets of competitiveness, and a will to make the opposition look foolish. Was he erratic during his NFL career? To put it mildly, yes.
Odell Beckham Jr.
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Odell Cornelious Beckham Jr. is just a fascinating individual. The ‘colorful’ nature of his persona comes from his iconic bleached blonde mane of hair — along with a superstar personality and the ability to make the impossible seem ordinary. There have been guys who make one-handed catches…and then there’s Odell — contorting his body in 26 different directions before leaping up in the air for unfathomable grabs. While we won’t say he’s a hot head or a difficult personality to manage, ODB has certainly had his fair share of sideline dust-ups.
Dan Dierdorf
Dierdorf was an absolute animal during his playing days. After a decorated college career at Michigan, Dierdorf played his entire 12-year professional career with the St. Louis Cardinals. Playing both guard and tackle, Dierdorf destroyed people. He’d smash them in the mouth before bullying them with his gigantic frame. The six-time Pro Bowler was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1996. Furthering his colorful football persona, Dierdorf spent 14 years as an NFL analyst on television. Currently, he’s a primary analyst for his alma mater.
James Harrison
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In a sport where your face is largely obscured, it can be difficult to come across as a unique individual — and this may be especially true of defensive players. However, there is no mistaking James Harrison. A two-time Super Bowl champion with the Steelers, Harrison is a freak personified. He is brash, unafraid, and tells it how it is. Oh, and he is also an athletic marvel with insane strength.
Brett Favre
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Here’s a man we all know, Mr. Wrangler himself. Throughout a 20-year Hall of Fame career, Favre commanded the spotlight and became one of the true faces of the NFL. In addition to having a cannon for an arm, Favre was amongst the most passionate players in the league. Not only did he play with a kid-like passion, but Favre became known for pranking teammates both on the sidelines and in the locker room. The legendary gunslinger also overcame a painkiller addiction ahead of the 1996 season — a year in which Favre led the Packers to their first Super Bowl title in 29 years.
Jim McMahon
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The quarterback at the helm of the legendary ’85 Chicago Bears, Jim McMahon was quite the character. After attending BYU, McMahon was excited to be in a city like Chicago. So excited that he brought a beer to his first public event as a member of the Bears. McMahon didn’t mind upsetting his coaches or league officials. He was famously fined for wearing an Adidas headband during a game, he mooned reporters in the leadup to the ’85 Super Bowl, and he donned sunglasses frequently. A renegade on the field, McMahon also enjoyed partying at night. While some people didn’t like him, McMahon epitomized cool and was perhaps ahead of his time.
Mike Ditka
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A Hall of Fame player and a Hall of Fame coach, Mike Ditka is a true legend of the game. Best known for his time coaching the Chicago Bears, Ditka was not a man to be messed with. A hot-head by any metric, Ditka often looked like he was ready to resume his playing career and rush onto the field to make a hit while he was coaching. His charisma on the field translated off it as well, as the Super Bowl winner (as a player and coach) found success as an analyst and as an actor — if you haven’t seen his performance in Kicking & Screaming, check it out ASAP.
Vontaze Burfict
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One of the most polarizing players to come around in many years, Vontaze Burfict has been a well-known commodity dating back to his high school years. Blessed with tremendous speed, athleticism, and power, Burfict developed into a ferocious tackler. According to his mother, parents of opposing players would approach her and ask that her son ease up on his hits — it didn’t work. Throughout college and into his professional days, Burfict’s loose-cannon persona persisted. Since entering the league in 2012, the fiery linebacker has been suspended four times and fined over $4 million.
Keyshawn Johnson
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Much like the University of Miami, USC’s football program is known for producing exceptionally talented — and sometimes cocky — players. Keyshawn Johnson fits the bill. A Los Angeles native, Johnson dazzled at Southern Cal before being selected No. 1 Overall by the New York Jets in 1996. In addition to being an elite receiver, Johnson had a huge personality. He often clashed with teammates and coaches and was tabbed a diva by many. Never one to lack confidence, the former Trojan co-authored a book following his rookie season titled Just Give Me the D*mn Ball! Today, Johnson remains a public figure through his work as an analyst and radio show host.
Ricky Williams
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A Heisman Trophy winner during his time at Texas, Ricky Williams is one of the most talented running backs of the past 30 years. Unfortunately for him, his talent didn’t excuse his actions during his NFL career. Williams’ career got off to a weird start after being drafted by the Mike Ditka-led New Orleans Saints when the player and coach posed together for an ESPN The Magazine cover — as a bride and groom…with Williams in a dress. When the electric runner was traded to Miami, things appeared to be going well until Williams opted to retire. Following a second positive test for marijuana, Williams left the NFL and went back to school to study Ayurveda — the ancient Indian system of holistic medicine. Williams soon returned to the NFL, was suspended once again, and returned for a third time before hanging it up for good in 2012.
Marshawn Lynch
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Marshawn Lynch, the former Seattle Seahawk and California Golden Bear, is an incredibly entertaining individual. A powerful, bruising runner in his prime, Lynch’s ability on the football field was only matched by his enormous personality. While at Cal, Lynch hysterically took a joy ride in a golf cart following his team’s win. In Seattle, Lynch became known for celebrating his touchdowns with a rather emphatic crotch grab. Between his amazing celebrations, classic interviews, dance moves on the sidelines, and love for Skittles, the NFL hasn’t seen a player quite like Marshawn Lynch.
Jon Gruden
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There have been a handful of coaches throughout NFL history that have garnered special attention, and Jon Gruden is certainly one of them. After a trade — yes, a trade — sent him from Oakland to Tampa Bay in 2002, the man often compared to Chucky from the slasher film Child’s Play led the Buccaneers to a Super Bowl victory over the Raiders. Gruden’s foul mouth and in-your-face antics made you either love or despise him. Even when he left the sidelines to join ESPN, Gruden created numerous memories thanks to his fiery personality and incredible play-calls.
Bill Belichick
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While a coach like Jon Gruden made a name for himself with his fiery personality, devilish scowls, and emotional tirades, Bill Belichick is known for being a mostly reserved figure. Previously at the helm of the New England Patriots — the NFL’s most recent dynasty — Belichick operated like Palpatine from the Star Wars franchise. Like Palpatine, Belichick has been seen roaming the sidelines under the cover of a hood. To complete his look, the legendary coach has also cut the sleeves off his hoodies. With a dry and sarcastic sense of humor, Belichick has endeared himself to the NFL fans…or at least the ones in New England.
Rob Gronkowski
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Playing for the ever-boring Bill Belichick and alongside Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski epitomized joy. A behemoth of a man standing at 6-foot-6, 265 pounds, Gronk was the only enjoyable part of the Patriots’ dominant run. The future Hall of Famer never shied away from celebrating his team’s — or his own — achievements. From head-butting his pals to executing the ‘Gronk Spike’ following his touchdowns, Gronk was always the life of the party. During his brief retirement, the current Tampa Bay Buccaneer joined the WWE where he hosted WrestleMania and won the 24/7 Championship.
Ray Lewis
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Ray Lewis may be the Rob Gronkowski of defenders. A two-time Super Bowl champion and two-time Defensive Player of the Year, Lewis spent 17 years tormenting offensive players in the NFL. Before the start of each home game, Lewis would go through an elaborate dance routine that was equal parts goofy and intimidating. His tackles were loud, but his trash talk was louder. Never one to miss a moment, Lewis turned his Hall of Fame induction into a show with a passionate — and sweaty — speech.
Terrell Owens
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When you hear someone refer to a ‘diva wide receiver,’ this is likely the first man that comes to mind. Terrell Owens, without question, is one of the greatest wideouts in NFL history. However, he is also amongst the most controversial and polarizing. From pissing off his teammates to arguing with his coaches to standing on the Dallas Cowboys star at midfield to taking a cheerleader’s pompoms to pour popcorn through his facemask, to taking a sharpie out of his sock following a TD and signing the ball — Owens always generated a reaction. His touchdown celebrations are historic, and his level of play is nearly unmatched. And his quotes? His quotes are iconic.
