The 50 Most Exciting Players in NFL History

Why is the National Football League the world's greatest league? Well for starters, football is by far the most exciting sport out there—if you disagree, then I'd have to assume that you're insane. 

Football is simply so exciting to watch. 

The sport is so action packed that it's comparable to any Arnold Schwarzenegger movie.

That said, who are some players that have you sitting on the edge of your seat, anticipating that they're going to make a play at any moment? There's Ray Lewis, Michael Vick, Barry Sanders and Deion Sanders, just to name a few. 

Without these players listed in this article, the NFL wouldn't be considered as the world's most exciting sport. 

So at last, allow me to present to you the 50 most exciting players in NFL history. 

No. 50: Kordell Stewart

Kordell Stewart wasn't known as "Slash" for nothing. He had such amazing athletic ability that he could play pretty much any skill position on the offensive side of the ball. 

Stewart made his living as the Pittsburgh Steelers' starting quarterback from 1997-2001, with '97 being his best season as he threw for 21 touchdowns. 

Stewart retired with 14,746 career passing yards along with 2,874 career rushing yards. 

No. 49: Kenny Stabler

Kenny Stabler is arguably the greatest Oakland Raider quarterback in the franchise's history.

Stabler, better known as "The Snake," threw for 27,938 yards and scored a grand total of 194 touchdowns. 

In all, Stabler was the ultimate gun slinger. 

No. 48: Chris Johnson

When it's all said and done, Chris Johnson could be in the top 10 of this list the day that he retires. 

In just three full seasons in the NFL, Johnson has ran for an astronomical 4,598 yards, including a 2,006 yard season back in 2009—a year that made me very happy, as I was one of the many happy fantasy owners with CJ2K on his team. 

No. 47: Steve McNair

The late Steve McNair will also be remembered as "Air McNair" in my books. Air McNair threw for an incredible 31,304 career passing yards while tossing 174 touchdown passes.

For a man his size, McNair was also an extremely effective threat on the ground. He finished his career with 3,590 total rushing yards along with 37 rushing touchdowns. 

No. 46: Kurt Warner

How can the face of the "Greatest Show on Turf" not make the list of the most exciting players in NFL history?

Kurt Warner is not only exciting, but he's one of the greatest passers to ever play the game. Warner has thrown a career 208 touchdowns while racking up 32,344 career passing yards. 

No. 45: Warren Sapp

It's not often that you find a defensive tackle that's as good as rushing the passer as Warren Sapp. 

Sapp's big-time personality along with his 96.5 career sacks is what made him one of the most exciting players in NFL history. 

No. 44: Lance Alworth

I honestly wish that I could have seen Lance Alworth play, as I have a feeling that I'd be his biggest fan.

Alworth was known as "Bambi"—yeah, after the Disney movie—and was one of the fastest, most explosive and exciting wide receivers of all time.

Alworth recorded an incredible 10,266 career receiving yards. 

No. 43: Chad Ochocinco

How entertaining is a guy that legally changes his name from Johnson to Ochocinco? I'd say pretty entertaining. 

Chad Ochocinco alone is the NFL's most exciting player on twitter, as he's just a tweeting machine. 

However, on the football field Ochocinco is known for his crazy touchdown celebrations following his incredible, breathtaking receptions. 

No. 42: Charles Woodson

50 career interceptions with 12 career defensive touchdowns. You have to admit that Charles Woodson is one exciting football player.

At 34, he's still extremely effective for the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Green Bay Packers. 

No. 41: Junior Seau

Growing up as a kid, I knew the name Junior Seau and it's forever engraved into my mind as one of the great linebackers of the 1990s and 2000s. 

Seau played for an incredible 20 seasons in the NFL. He racked up 56.5 career sacks and 1,404 career tackles. He was simply a tackling machine. 

No. 40: Mike Singletary

Mike Singletary is best known for being the heart of the Midway Monsters, the greatest defense of all time, the 1985 Chicago Bears. 

The Hall of Fame linebacker was also known as Iron Mike and Samurai Mike. Mike Singletary will be remembered for many years to come—his playing years, not his coaching years. 

No. 39: Walter Payton

And you thought that "Sweetness" wouldn't make this list? 

Walter Payton is the NFL's second all time leading rusher with 16,726 total yards. He is simply one of the greatest players to play in the NFL.

Many believe that the former Chicago Bear is the greatest running back of all time. 

No. 38: Brian Dawkins

If I'm a quarterback lining up against Brian Dawkins, I'm probably soiling myself. He's one of the great defenders of the 2000s.

Dawkins is a member of the 20/20 club: 20 or more career sacks and interceptions. He is the only player in NFL history to score a touchdown, record a sack, record an interception and force a fumble in a single game.

He's one hell of a playmaker. 

No. 37: Josh Cribbs

What's one of the most exciting plays in football? The kickoff. This makes Josh Cribbs one of the most exciting players in league history.

Cribbs is the NFL record holder for career kickoff return touchdowns (eight) and is currently tied for the league record with two 100-yard kickoff returns for a touchdown in a single game. 

No. 36: Rod Woodson

When it comes to naming the top cornerbacks in NFL history, Rod Woodson better be one of the first that is listed.

Woodson is the NFL's all time leader in interception return yardage at 1,483 and interception returns for a touchdown at 12—you cannot get much better than that.

Looking at those stats, wouldn't you agree that No. 26 was one exciting football player? 

No. 35: DeSean Jackson

You can definitely make a strong case that DeSean Jackson is the most dangerous player in space in league history—believe it.

If you don't believe it, then take some time out of your Sunday and watch him work his magic as a member of the Philadelphia Eagles. 

No. 34: Derrick Thomas

The late Derrick Thomas will be remembered as one of the great sack machines of modern football. Thomas recorded a career 127.5 sacks, including 20 sacks alone in 1990 for the Kansas City Chiefs. 

D.T. had a real niche for making a big play and coming up with a huge sack. 

No. 33: Donovan McNabb

Back in Donovan McNabb's prime as the Philadelphia Eagles' starting quarterback, he was simply a playmaker and always found a way to escape pressure in the pocket.

McNabb has thrown 117 career touchdowns while running for an average of 5.6 yards per carry and 28 total touchdowns. 

No. 32: Ronnie Lott

The former San Francisco 49ers defensive back, Ronnie Lott, is one of the greatest defenders to ever play in the NFL.

Lott recorded an incredible 63 career interceptions, which is good enough to put him on this list of the most exciting players in NFL history. 

No. 31: Troy Polamalu

I love seeing the fear in quarterbacks' eyes when Troy Polamalu is creeping up to the line of scrimmage, positioning himself to make a mad dash into the backfield. 

Polamalu is arguably the NFL's greatest safety. 

Whenever the Pittsburgh Steelers need a big play, Polamalu always steps up and finds a way to make it happen. 

No. 30: Dante Hall

Want to hear some of the former great return man, Dante Hall's, nicknames? Here's the long list: The X-Factor, X-Man, The Human Joystick and The Human Torch—yeah, I'd say that from his nicknames alone, he's pretty damn exciting. 

Hall has 21 career touchdowns. 

No. 29: LaDainian Tomlinson

LaDainian Tomlinson may be a New York Jet now, but his days as a San Diego Charger will never be forgotten. 

L.T. will go down as the greatest running back of the 2000s, as he set numerous records—including the single season record for touchdowns with 31. 

No. 28: Billy Johnson

Without Billy "White Shoes" Johnson, touchdown celebrations wouldn't be as entertaining as they are now.

Johnson was an extremely effective return man that would have elaborate touchdown celebrations each and every time he'd score. 

No. 27: Eric Metcalf

How fast is Eric Metcalf? Lightning fast. I don't know how else to describe his blazing speed.

Metcalf was once the all-time leader in combined kick returns and punt returns for touchdowns with 12. 

No. 26: Devin Hester

Devin Hester recently became the NFL's all time leader in punt return touchdowns at an incredible 11. He is also the career record holder for total kick return touchdowns with 15.

Hester is by far the greatest return man to ever play in the NFL, which makes him one of the most exciting players in NFL history. 

No. 25: Ed Reed

Throughout Ed Reed's amazing career, do you know how many defensive touchdowns he's scored? Eight, yeah that's right, eight. 

Reed is simply a ball hawk sitting in Baltimore's tough, physical and dominant defense. They certainly would not be as dominant as they are now without Reed's talents roaming the field. 

No. 24: Marcus Allen

How often do you see a running back play in the league for an incredible 16 seasons? Not very often, but Marcus Allen was able to accomplish it. 

Allen ran for 12,243 career rushing yards and punched the ball in for 123 scores on the ground. 

No. 23: Tom Brady

Tom Brady isn't called "Tom Terrific" for nothing. 

If you actually disagree with Brady being one of the greatest players to ever play the game, then go back in a time machine and witness his incredible, record-setting 2007 season. 

Brady to Moss is arguably the most exciting quarterback-to-wide-receiver connection of all time. 

No. 22: Eric Dickerson

Standing 6'3" and lightning fast, it's almost like Eric Dickerson was better off being a wide receiver—actually forget that, he's one of the most exciting running backs in NFL history.

Dickerson played 12 seasons in the league, running for 13,259 career rushing yards, including a stellar 2,105 yard season with the 1984 Rams. 

No. 21: Peyton Manning

There's nothing better than watching Peyton Manning conduct an incredible scoring drive with such ease—unless if it's against your favorite team, of course.

Manning is one of the great quarterbacks in modern football and will certainly be remembered as one of the most talented human beings to ever play football. 

No. 20: Dan Marino

In many people's eyes, Dan Marino is the greatest quarterback to ever play in the NFL.

The former Miami Dolphin great threw for a phenomenal 61,361 career passing yards along with 420 touchdown passes. 

Marino may have never won a Super Bowl, but he was sure as hell entertaining to watch. 

No. 19: Marshall Faulk

Marshall Faulk was not only a stellar running back, he was just as much as a threat as a receiver as he was running the ball.

The recent Hall of Fame inductee caught 767 career passes for 6,875 yards and 36 touchdowns in addition to 12,279 career rushing yards and 100 touchdowns on the ground.

136 touchdowns, not too shabby. 

No. 18: Terrell Owens

From his 153 career touchdowns to his memorable touchdown celebrations, Terrell Owens is one of the most exciting  players in recent memory.

T.O. will certainly go down as one of the greatest wide receivers to ever play in the NFL. 

No. 17: Jim Brown

You can definitely make the argument for Jim Brown being the sport's greatest running back, if not the greatest player of all time.

Brown played nine seasons with the Cleveland Browns, accumulating an incredible 12,313 total rushing yards. 

No. 16: Jack Lambert

Jack Lambert was one of the meanest men to ever play the sport of football, hands down.

Lambert was one of the faces of the Pittsburgh Steelers' iron curtain defense of the 1970s and was an integral part in leading the Steelers to four Super Bowl titles. 

No. 15: John Elway

Two-time Super Bowl champion John Elway is one of the greatest quarterbacks to ever play the game. Super Bowls aside, Elway was simply a playmaker. 

Elway recorded 300 career touchdown passes on his way to being one of the most exciting quarterbacks in league history. 

No. 14: Ray Lewis

If I had to build a defense from scratch, my first objective would to be find a guy that's filled with as much excitement as Ray Lewis.

Lewis is one of the greatest linebackers to ever play the game, but his extreme physical toughness makes him one of the most exciting players to watch. 

No. 13: Fran Tarkenton

Fran Tarkenton may have only completed 57 percent of his passes, but he racked up 47,003 career passing yards and 342 passing touchdowns.

However, Tarkenton's arm wasn't his only threat. He was a solid rusher with 3,674 career rushing yards and 32 rushing touchdowns.

No. 12: Jerry Rice

Let me lay out the numbers: 21 seasons in the NFL, 1,549 career receptions, 22,895 total receiving yards and 197 touchdown receptions. 

I think that we can all agree that Jerry Rice is one of the most exciting players in league history. 

No. 11: Bo Jackson

The sample size is small for Bo Jackson since he only played four seasons in the NFL as a member of the Oakland Raiders. But he certainly made a lot of news. 

During his four seasons, Jackson averaged an impressive 5.4 yards per carry while scoring a total of 16 touchdowns. 

No. 10: Randy Moss

Randy Moss is one of the most exciting players in NFL history as well as being arguably the league's greatest wide receiver.

Moss is the current record holder of touchdown receptions in a single season with 23, which he broke during his historic 2007 season with the New England Patriots. 

No. 9: Randall Cunningham

Randall Cunningham was definitely not the greatest passer, but he did get the job done. With his passing skills lacking, Cunningham was a tremendous threat on his feet. 

Cunningham ran for a total of 4,928 rushing yards while scoring a grand total of 207 touchdowns in the air and 35 on the ground. 

No. 8: Brett Favre

No matter how sick you are of hearing about Brett Favre, you have to admit that he was a real thrill to watch on nearly every Sunday for 20 years. 

Favre threw a total of 508 touchdowns while accumulating 71,838 career passing yards. 

No. 7: O.J. Simpson

The league's 18th all-time leading rusher often put the Buffalo Bills on his back with his phenomenal running ability and his niche for making a game-changing play.

O.J. Simpson averaged 4.7 yards per carry during his 11 year career in the NFL. He scored a total of 61 rushing touchdowns as well as 14 touchdown receptions. 

No. 6: Michael Vick

There is no one quite like Michael Vick—he's such an amazing talent and a real thrill to watch every Sunday. 

Vick was primarily a run-first quarterback during his time as an Atlanta Falcon. But now as a Philadelphia Eagle, he's emerged as one of the league's elite quarterbacks. Vick is an even more threat on the ground since he's improved his passing abilities in a dramatic fashion. 

No. 5: Steve Young

Steve Young was the ultimate innovator—he had a real niche for turning nothing into something really big. 

Young could not only air the ball out, but he was also a tremendous threat on his feet, making him one of the most exciting players in NFL history. 

No. 4: Gale Sayers

I wish that I could take a DeLorean and go back in time to actually see Gale Sayers play in person. 

From my understanding of his stellar stats, Sayers was one hell of a running back—arguably football's best. 

Sayers was named to Hall of Fame 75-year anniversary team, that's pretty damn impressive. 

No. 3: Lawrence Taylor

You can definitely make the case for Lawrence Taylor being the NFL's greatest defensive player of all-time. But there is one thing that we can all agree on: he was exciting to watch. 

The original L.T. recorded an incredible 132.5 sacks during his 13 year career with the New York Giants.

Whenever you watched Taylor it seemed like there was just a timer waiting for his next devastating sack. 

No. 2: Barry Sanders

Barry Sanders is not only one of the greatest running backs of all time, but he's one of the most exciting players ever in NFL history.

You never knew when Sanders would either gain or lose five or more yards. Thankfully, most of the time Sanders was busting out 20 yard runs, considering he currently ranks third on the NFL all-time rushing list. 

No. 1: Deion Sanders

Deion Sanders isn't nick-named Prime Time for nothing—he's the most exciting player in NFL history. 

Sanders made the sport simply amazing from 1989-2005. It seemed like whatever team Sanders played for—whether the San Francisco 49ers or the Washington Redskins—he always made things interesting and exciting. 

Prime Time was primarily a cornerback, one of the greatest shut-down corners in NFL history. But he also spent time playing wide receiver and returning kicks and punts.

Sanders was a playmaker—there's no better way to describe him. Oh wait, yes there is, you can describe him in two words: Prime Time.