NFL Rock Stars: Comparing the Careers of Tom Brady and Others to Famous Bands

The NFL is a league of rock stars. NFL teams are filled with players that are always in the spotlight.

They often travel with entourages, are mobbed by groupies, and sell out every stadium across the country. With that being said, it is very easy to compare the careers of NFL players to bands.

Here are seven NFL rock stars and the bands that they compare to.

Ray Lewis—Metallica

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If there is a band that represents Baltimore Ravens linebacker Ray Lewis, it’s Metallica.

Lewis has been in the game a long time, and is still considered an icon in the sport. The Metallica song "Enter Sandman" fits his style of play, as he has been known to put players to sleep and keep delivering great hits year after year.

Besides, both Metallica and Ray Lewis can be pretty scary.

Troy Polamalu—Guns N' Roses

The hard-hitting safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers can be compared to Guns N' Roses.

Troy Polamalu has the same hair as star guitarist Slash, and each man is a big reason for the success of his group.

Polamalu packs a punch on the field and has an endless "Appetite For Destruction."

Aaron Rodgers—Van Halen

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Super Bowl-winning quarterback Aaron Rodgers can relate to the rock band Van Halen. Many music critics believed that once Van Halen parted ways with lead singer David Lee Roth, they would never top the charts again.

Sammy Hagar stepped in, and the band did not skip a beat, keeping up with their legendary reputation as a top rock band.

Aaron Rodgers can relate. Sitting behind Brett Favre was not an easy road to travel. Rodgers was expected to fail and should have had trouble filling the shoes of a legend.

Instead, Rodgers took on the challenge and lived up to the expectations on his way to a championship.

Chad Ochocinco—Lady Gaga

Chad Ochocinco’s career could be freakishly compared to Lady Gaga's. They both like to get attention by doing the unexpected.

They say outlandish things and like to shock people. Both “stars” find a way to get on as many television shows as possible, and neither of them use their birth name.

When they step on their stage, it’s hard to look away, simply because you don’t know what will happen next.

Clay Matthews—Nelson

Clay Matthews is a hard-working linebacker that has plenty of talent. He is a Super Bowl champion that has the capability of producing big hits, but is better known for his hair.

The same could be said for the band Nelson, which is known for its hair above anything else. It may be early in his career, but Matthews has already accumulated more hits.

James Harrison—George Thorogood and the Destroyers

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James Harrison has a reputation in the NFL and is always getting fined. It could be said that he is comparable to George Thorogood and the Destroyers because he most certainly is "Bad to the Bone."

Harrison is ready to deliver more hits this year, and Pittsburgh has surrounded him with destroyers on the field.

Tom Brady—New Kids on the Block

The comparison of Tom Brady and Justin Bieber would be way too easy.

Brady has more in common with the New Kids on the Block.

Brady came out of nowhere and took the NFL by storm. His boyish good looks and charm made him a poster boy, and he had success early in his career.

Now that he is older, he is still living up to his name, and will always be loved in New England.

Peyton Manning—Bob Seger and the Silver Bullet Band

Bob Seger and Peyton Manning have more in common than you might think. Seger had a hit with "Like a Rock" and that could describe Manning’s career with the Colts.

Manning has been a mainstay under center for the Colts and has become very successful.

Seger’s music has been featured in commercials, and he is in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Peyton Manning is a lovable commercial mega-star, and is a shoe-in for the Pro Football Hall Of fame.

Who Is Missing?

The list of NFL superstars that could be compared to bands is endless. Is there anyone I missed, or someone that would have made a better comparison?

Rex Ryan compared to Meatloaf? Chris Johnson to Bruce Springsteen ("Born to Run")? Terrell Owens to Kanye West?

Stay tuned...

James Brown is a B/R Featured Columnist. Feel free to contact James at [e-mail].