Terrell Owens And 10 More Players Who Could Play Into Their 40s

One of the most popular phrases used to describe the National Football League, or NFL, is the Not For Long league.

The average shelf life for a player in the league is about 3.3 years, according to the NFL Players Association. So, you can see why so many players get antsy when talk of a work stoppage comes up.

But with advances in medical technology and strength and conditioning, players seem to be playing a lot longer.

There is the curious case of Brett Favre who is playing at the ripe old age of 41 and the wonder of the ageless kicker John Carney.

So who can we expect to see play well into their 40’s? Let’s take a gander and see!

1. Terrell Owens

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IRVING, TX - JANUARY 13: Wide receiver Terrell Owens #81 of the Dallas Cowboys warms up on the field before the NFC Divisional Playoff game against the New York Giants at Texas Stadium on January 13, 2008 in Irving, Texas. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Imag

Well, obviously Mr. Owens is on the list because his name is in the title. However, Owens is 37 and is headed toward his 10th 1,000-yard season.

He keeps his body in impeccable shape and hasn’t really lost a major step in his game. I’d say we have a great chance of seeing T.O. play another four or five years.

2. Ray Lewis

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BALTIMORE, MD - NOVEMBER 28: Ray Lewis #52 of the Baltimore Ravens is introduced before the game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at M&T Bank Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens defeated the Buccaneers 17-10. (Photo by Larry F

Did you know that Ray Lewis is only 35 years old? Be honest, you thought homeboy was much older.

Lewis is only five years away from 40, but I swear it seems as if Ray-Ray has been in the league since he was a teenager.

Like Owens, Lewis takes great care of his body and will probably play until the wheels fall off.

3. Peyton Manning

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INDIANAPOLIS - NOVEMBER 28: Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts throws a pass during the NFL game against the San Diego Chargers at Lucas Oil Stadium on November 28, 2010 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Brother Manning is getting up there man, homeboy is already 34 years old.

Manning has that Wrangler jean Brett Favre quality to him. No, he isn’t low-rent or sleazy, but he seems indestructible.

Peyton has started 203 consecutive games and just does not get hurt. He’s also smart enough to stay away from the John Madden football covers.

Brother Manning will probably end up chasing after another Super Bowl title well into his 40s like Favre as well.

4. Hines Ward

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PITTSBURGH, PA - NOVEMBER 21: Hines Ward #86 of the Pittsburgh Steelers celebrates after catching a pass against the Oakland Raiders during the game on November 21, 2010 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)

There is always that question about who you would want in your foxhole and how you would choose that individual. Hines Ward is just one of those guys you would want with you.

Arguably the best blocking wide receivers in the league (and a heck of a pass catcher), Ward brings a certain fire and desire that is just contagious. He’s hard-nosed and seems to love everything about the sport of football.

He’s getting up there in age (34), but he’s one of those guys who you would want to see play past 40.

5. Brian Dawkins

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DENVER - SEPTEMBER 19: Safety Brian Dawkins #20 of the Denver Broncos celebrates his interception in the first half against the Seattle Seahawks at INVESCO Field at Mile High on September 19, 2010 in Denver, Colorado. (Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Imag

A 37-year-old monster of a player, Dawkins is a huge ball of combustible energy.

You can tell that he’s nearing the end of the road but with the way he plays, his physical condition, his rating on Madden (90 last I checked), and his sheer will, I believe B. Dawk can play until he’s 50 if he wanted.

6. Tony Gonzalez

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ATLANTA - NOVEMBER 11: Tony Gonzalez #88 of the Atlanta Falcons against the Baltimore Ravens at Georgia Dome on November 11, 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

It was strange to see Tony in a Falcons uniform when he signed with the Dirty Birds a few years ago as we were so used to seeing Tony with a Chiefs jersey wrapped around his body.

Tony has four touchdowns this season and is still one of the best tight ends in the league.

Gonzalez is 34 and from what I can tell has no plans of slowing anytime soon. Tony doesn’t get injured and if he keeps this pace up, he could play for another five seasons.

7. Charles Woodson

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GREEN BAY, WI - SEPTEMBER 19: Charles Woodson #21 of the Green Bay Packers runs onto the field during player introductions before a game against the Buffalo Bills at Lambeau Field on September 19, 2010 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Ge

Charlie Wood, as I like to call him, is 34 years old and still playing at a very high level. A former Heisman Trophy winner and first-round draft pick, Woodson won his first Defensive Player of the Year award last year as he help to lead the Packers to the playoffs.

This season Charlie only has two picks as he’s been banged up a little, but it seems as if Wood has enjoyed his best years in the latter part of his career. If 30’s the new 20, then I guess 40 is the new 30.

8. London Fletcher

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PHILADELPHIA - NOVEMBER 29: LeSean McCoy #29 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs with the ball as London Fletcher #59 the Washington Redskins pursures during their game at Lincoln Financial Field on November 29, 2009 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo b

I remember when London was a part of the Rams' budding dynasty back in the day. He was a tackling machine then and he’s still one now. He’s sixth in the league in tackles and made his first Pro Bowl last year which was long overdue.

Fletcher is 35 but shows no signs, and I mean none, of slowing down. He has over 1,300 tackles and looks to play for another 10 years if he keeps this up.

9. Adam Vinatieri

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GLENDALE, AZ - SEPTEMBER 27: Kicker Adam Vinatieri #4 of the Indianapolis Colts attempts a field goal during the NFL game against the Arizona Cardinals at the Universtity of Phoenix Stadium on September 27, 2009 in Glendale, Arizona. The Colts defeated

Well all remember Adam’s kicks for the Patriots and Colts in the Super Bowls but did you know that Adam is 38 years old?

Mr. V is pushing 40 hard and will probably play deep into his 40’s.

He’s one of the NFL’s most clutch players, and the league would be well-served to have him around for another seven or eight years.

10. Donovan McNabb

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PHILADELPHIA - OCTOBER 03: Donovan McNabb #5 of the Washington Redskins against the Philadelphia Eagles on October 3, 2010 at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Redskins defeated the Eagles 17-12. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Imag

Donovan is one of my all-time favorite players in the league. He was booed on draft day, underestimated in Philly, and left for dead after the Eagles traded him.

He’s having a tough season under new head coach Mike Shanahan but I’ve seen McNabb bounce back before.

He’s one of the most underrated franchise players in NFL history and had one of his best seasons as a pro only two short seasons ago.

Quarterbacks don’t usually fall off the cliff like running backs, so at the ripe old age of 34, I think that DM has a great chance of playing until Favre’s age.

11.Ricky Williams

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OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 28: Ricky Williams #34 of the Miami Dolphins walks down the tunnel for their game against the Oakland Raiders at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on November 28, 2010 in Oakland, California. (Photo by Ezra Shaw/Getty Images)

Stop laughing and give me a chance to explain why. Williams is 33 and missed the entire 2004 season due to retirement, only played 12 games in 2005, and missed all of 2006 and 2007. That’s basically 4 years of missed football.

Since his return Williams is averaging 170 carries per season. If he keeps this pace up there is a very good chance that Williams could play until he’s 40.

Of course that’s maybe seven more years of football and running backs don’t usually last that long but I like Ricky and it just doesn’t seem that far-fetched.

I mean, did you think you’d see Ricky play again after he left the first time?