5 Interesting Facts You Didn't Know About Your Favorite NFL Athletes

We see these men on the field every Sunday as the great products they are now, but each player has his own story to tell.

It doesn't mean anything for some of these players to get love from fans and coaches because of how they've been slighted so greatly in the past. The edge gives them a psychological advantage over their inferiors.

No one is doubting the abilities of these players today, but how did the following four players get to where they are today? How did the other hurt his image? 

Patrick Willis Wasn't Offered a Scholorship by the University of Tennessee

Yes, the headline is correct. The best middle linebacker—maybe linebacker—in the NFL wasn't even "good" enough to roam sideline-to-sideline in the candy-corn orange uniforms for Tennessee. 

Patrick Willis explains in his workout video that he wanted to play for the Volunteers but the school didn't offer him a scholarship.

As a student at the struggling football school, we've had good middle linebackers for our university including Jerod Mayo and Al Wilson, but how did we allow the in-state Memphis product to attend Ole Miss?

Aaron Rodgers Wasn't Offered a College Football Scholarship

The best quarterback in the NFL right now one-ups Patrick Willis. Aaron Rodgers was only allowed the opportunity to compete for his college education to be paid for by the Fighting Illini. 

All the football world looks back on the 2007 NFL Draft and laughs at the fact Rodgers was selected 20 spots behind Alex Smith no matter how well the 49ers quarterback is playing right now. It's now the "butte" of all jokes that Rodgers had to attend Butte Community College before playing at the University of California.

Rodgers is similar to Steve Young in that he not only had to wait his turn behind a legend but he was seriously thinking about quitting football and perusing a law degree like the former San Francisco legend has.

Jason Peters Is More Athletic & Versatile Than You Think

The Eagles' best offensive linemen, if that says anything, has been versatile in his football career. Jason Peters spent time as a defensive tackle at Arkansas as well as a tight end.

At 300-plus pounds, Peters wasn't an ideal pass catcher so he promoted himself as an offensive linemen for the 2004 NFL Draft, eventually going undrafted despite running a sub-five second 40 yard-dash.

Maybe Peters isn't worth being paid as a top-10 player in the entire league, but his work makes the cash well earned.

When Peters caught a deflected Michael Vick pass earlier this year, fans could see his excitement because he was in his element.

Brandon Jacobs Has Experienced Carry Issues Before Now

Brandon Jacobs is having a difficult time getting the amount of carries he wants for the Giants. It's not the first time this issue has presented itself to Jacobs.

The former Giants' starter transferred to Auburn after spending time at Coffeyville, Kansas Community College. Jacobs was then forced to leave transfer to Southern Illinois because he wasn't getting any time behind Ronnie Brown and Cadillac Williams.

Jacobs may be a malcontent now, but remember him as the starting back on the 2007 NFL Champion New York Giants. 

Count him out again at your own risk—as I am.

Age Isn't Stopping Mark Sanchez

As a 24 year-old, Mark Sanchez has already played in two AFC Championship Games while now being tied for the most road playoff wins. 

Off-the-field, the Jets quarterback is just as "accomplished." Sanchez has been linked to a then 17 year-old girl. Yes, Mark, at 17 she's a girl, not a woman. 

While Sanchez isn't the best quarterback in his city, he can certainly do much better than this. 

Not only will the good playoff stats will be linked to Sanchez forever, Eliza Kruger will be as well. By the way, she doesn't look good enough for an over-20 professional quarterback to be seen with.