NFL Jerseys I Would Want My Kids to Wear

In a day and age in which professional athletes are often depicted as criminals or greedy, grown up babies, I feel the need for specific role models in sports is absolutely critical.

While the media often only highlights the negative aspect of off-field activity, there are plenty of players and coaches who spend a considerable amount of time off the field doing charity work, promoting foundations, going into the community, or creating a cause of their own.

Whenever I have kids, I want them to share my passion in sports, particularly football. If they don't, I will love them just the same, but for those growing with their kids right now, I raise the question: Whose uniform do you let your child walk around wearing?

Being a Bronco fan, I will use myself as an example. Before the whole Jay Cutler fiasco in Denver, there is no doubt in my mind Cutler was the most loved athlete in the city of Denver.

Everyone had his jersey.

I had his jersey, and I bought a pink one for my fiancee, who later bought herself a blue one. My brother had a white No. 6 hanging on his wall. Our good friend Tanner Thoms, who writes here on B/R, received a white Cutler jersey from my family for Christmas. I also bought a blue Cutler jersey for my little nephew for his birthday.

We were a Cutler family. Then, it happened.

Jay Cutler displayed arguably the most childish acting I have ever seen from a quarterback, and unless you have been living under a rock, you saw it too.

He forced a trade out of Denver and is now a Chicago Bear, where he leads the NFL in interceptions.

Talk about a bad case of karma.

And so, the moral of the story is: Get to know a player before you spend hundreds upon hundreds of dollars on his jersey.

Here are ten sure-fire bets of players who exemplify not only greatness on the field, but integrity and respect off of it.

10. Hines Ward, WR, Pittsburgh Steelers

What a class act. How often is a wide receiver considered one of the hardest hitters in the game?

Call him dirty if you want, but Hines Ward is an NFL legend.

This former Super Bowl MVP is the Pittsburgh Steelers' all—time leader in receptions, receiving yards, and receiving touchdowns.

He is an icon in the city of Pittsburgh and a coaches dream. Ward can block, run, catch, and this college quarterback from Georgia can throw too.

Maybe someday he'll line up for a field goal or extra point...

9. Reggie Wayne, WR, Indianapolis Colts

Talk about a guy who has quietly been one of the better receivers over the course of this decade.

For so long, Wayne played second fiddle to Marvin Harrison in Indianapolis, and justifiably so. Harrison is a Colts legend, but many considered Wayne No. 1A to Harrison's 1.

The Colts' star receiver is on pace to break 1,000 yards receiving for the sixth straight season, and in his first year as the number—one receiver in Indianapolis, he is leading the league in touchdown grabs.

8. Patrick Willis, LB, San Francisco 49ers

I love the retro-ish San Francisco jerseys, so I had to include a 49er on my list.

Patrick Willis is, in my mind, the best defensive player in the game today. He is second in the NFL with 88 tackles, and has also registered 2.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and two interceptions.

In his two-and-a-half years in the league, he already has 403 tackles, and is learning from probably the best coach for that position in Mike Singletary.

7. Peyton Manning, QB Indianapolis Colts

The biggest debate of this decade is whether or not Peyton Manning is a better quarterback than Tom Brady.

I don't mean to veer off on the topic of this article, but I believe Manning is the more refined player overall.

He has, as he describes, a laser, rocket arm. He has pin-point accuracy. He is a leader. He is a genius and coachable.

Manning is arguably the best player of the decade. He has never missed a game in his entire career, dating back to 1998.

6. Drew Brees, QB, New Orleans Saints

Have you ever seen an NFL United Way commercial in which Brees was not featured?

A former second round pick who was considered undersized by NFL standards has burst onto the scene with the New Orleans Saints as an elite quarterback in this league.

Brees is a guy who has brought hope to New Orleans football, and given them arguably the greatest show on turf in 2009.

5. Brian Dawkins, S, Denver Broncos

Orange has never looked so good.

Aside from the fact I am a Broncos fan, I do not believe any player in the NFL looks as good in his uniform as Dawkins does in the orange No. 20.

His dark visor may make him a mysterious figure on the field, but there may not be a better vocal leader in the league, especially defensively.

Dawkins is a spiritual warrior, a family man, and a hall of fame football player.

4. Adrian Peterson, RB, Minnesota Vikings

Adrian Peterson is the best back in the league today, and he does it with a varying style of football.

One play, he is a power back who can run through the toughest defenders. On the next play, he is a speed back who can blaze by anybody.

Peterson runs hard, and he finishes every play. For those young running backs, take notes on this guy. He is phenomenal.

3. Kurt Warner, QB, Arizona Cardinals

I know, so many people are tired of hearing about the grocery store clerk from Iowa who made it big.

A true rags to riches story.

The story of Kurt Warner, as repetitive and annoying as it may be to some people, is inspiring.

Warner led the St. Louis Rams to the Super Bowl in 1999, and has been one of the most prolific passers of the last decade. He brought the Arizona Cardinals to the NFL's biggest stage last season, a feat nobody thought could be accomplished.

2. Brian Urlacher, LB, Chicago Bears

I don't know that there is a player in the NFL who better defines his position.

When I think of "linebacker", Brian Urlacher is the one who comes to mind.

He is fast, instinctive, and mean. Urlacher is the ideal size for an NFL linebacker, and is just as capable against the pass as he is against the run.

He was the leader, captain, and MVP of the best defense in recent memory, and he is the heart and soul of the Chicago Bears.

1. Andre Johnson, WR, Houston Texans

This article was prompted by an ESPN the Magazine article I read about Johnson today. It brought to my attention what a class act this guy really is.

One of the lines from the article read that Johnson would catch only ten passes the entire season if he knew it meant Houston would make the playoffs.

In a league full of divas at this position, Johnson really stands out. He took a modest contract when he signed as a rookie to fulfill his promise of being in camp on time.

He is considered by many to be the best wide receiver in the game today, and though Houston does not get the most national coverage, Johnson is a player worth supporting.