NFL Players That Looked Bad in Another Uniform

When you look back at the legacies of some of the best NFL players, you think of them in their glory days.

However, many elite players were released by their clubs when they are "past their prime," causing them to suit up for other franchises. While they just wanted to play the game, they had to move on even though they had done so much for one club.

The Peyton Manning episode has inspired this list. After Manning retires, he will be remembered for all he did for the Colts. However, he will have played a few seasons for another franchise. Like the other players on this list, it's a shame hecouldn't stick it out with one franchise.

All good things must come to an end. For the players listed, they shouldn't be remembered for their stints with other teams. Heck, even forget that they wore a different uniform and represented a different club. These players should have had the privilege to last with one franchise.

Here are NFL players that never really fit in wearing a different uniform.

Emmitt Smith

Though he was 33, Emmitt Smith latched on to the Arizona Cardinals after his release from the Dallas Cowboys. At the time of his release, Smith rushed for 17,162 yards and 153 touchdowns in his career. He was an eight time Pro Bowler, NFL MVP, Super Bowl MVP and a four time rushing champion. His Hall of Fame resume was already complete at the time of his release. Though his best days were behind him, Smith was able to deliver some more NFL seasons as a Cardinal. However, he will always be remembered for his contributions to the Dallas Cowboys.

Thurman Thomas

Though he only played nine games and rushed for 136 yards for the Miami Dolphins, he never looked good in the villian's uniform. As a Buffalo Bill, Thomas was an NFL MVP, five time Pro Bowl selection and helped the Bills reach four straight Super Bowls. His short stint in Miami is all but forgotten and he is always be remembered as a Bill. Fans of the game will agree, Thomas looked better in the red and blue.

Johnny Unitas

The 17-year Baltimore Colt was part of the Greatest Game Ever Played and was one of the first true "elite" quarterbacks. He led the Colts to a Super Bowl championship and two NFL World Championships. Personally, he made 10 Pro Bowls and won three NFL MVP awards. His number 19 was even retired by the Colts. So his one season with the Chargers never really looked right and isn't remembered by most fans. He is forever linked to the Colts and his legacy has nothing to do with the Chargers.

Art Monk

The Hall of Fame receiver played 14 seasons for the Washington Redskins. He won three Super Bowls and made three Pro Bowls with Washington. Art Monk played a season with the New York Jets and a season with the Philadelphia Eagles after his Redskins career. He has little impact outside of Washington looked better in the burgundy and yellow than green.

Joe Namath

Broadway Joe played 12 seasons for the New York Jets. He famously won a Super Bowl against the Baltimore Colts and made as many headlines off the field as on it. The Hall of Famer extended his NFL career by playing one season for the Los Angeles Rams in 1977. He donned the green and white much better than the blue and yellow.

Jerry Rice

Perhaps the greatest NFL player of all time, Jerry Rice had a great career for the San Fransisco 49ers. He made 12 Pro Bowls with the team, won three Super Bowls, was a Super Bowl MVP and had his No. 80 retired by the team. Rice was released and had a good few years with the Oakland Raiders, even helping them advance to the Super Bowl. However, he was never quite the same with Oakland. He even played for the Seattle Seahawks and went through training camp with the Denver Broncos. His best days were with the 49ers and he looked the best in the red and gold.

Torry Holt

Part of the "greatest show on turf," Torry Holt had eight consecutive seasons of over 1,100 receiving yards for the St. Louis Rams. With the Rams, he made seven Pro Bowls, won a Super Bowl and was part of the NFL 2000s All Decade Team. He set NFL records with six straight seasons with 90+ receptions and six consecutive seasons with 1,300+ receiving yards. His lone season with the Jacksonville Jaguars saw him under 800 receiving yards and no touchdowns. He will be solely judged on his performance as a Ram when he is eligible for the Hall of Fame.

Randall Cunningham

Randall Cunningham played 11 of his 16 NFL seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles. The Hall of Fame quarterback was one of the game's first true mobile quarterbacks. As an Eagle, Cunningham was a three-time NFL All Pro selection and was the 1992 NFL Comeback Player of the Year. He was agile, elusive and an all around threat in the NFL. After stints in Minnesota, Dallas and Baltimore, Cunningham called it a career. He was a weapon that could do almost anything on the field and was better in the Eagles green than any other uniform he wore.

Shaun Alexander

Though his career came to an odd conclusion, Shaun Alexander will be remembered for his days as a Seattle Seahawk. He had five consecutive 1,000 yard seasons and set an NFL record at the time with 27 rushing touchdowns. Alexander was the 2005 NFL MVP and even graced the cover of Madden '07. His career concluded in 2008 with the Washington Redskins as he rushed for 24 yards on 11 carries in four games. He burned out quickly but should always be remembered for a few magical seasons in Seattle.

Peyton Manning

Peyton Manning will be forever known as a Colt. He set numerous NFL passing records in his career and won four NFL MVP awards. Manning brought glory to Indianapolis and carved out a Hall of Fame career. Wherever else football takes him, he will always be a Colt. It's just a shame he couldn't stick things out for a few more seasons in Indianapolis.