The Comic Book Hero Equivalent of Every NFL Team

Superheroes and NFL football players are iconic figures in today’s society, and in this slide they’re one in the same.

All too often in sports, athletes are visualized as superheroes, so why not find the best super hero mascot, so to speak, for each team?

With players like Tim Tebow and Ray Lewis around the league, finding a comic book hero equivalent was fairly easy.

So join me on this journey of unraveling every superhero’s identity and seeing which NFL teams they play for.

Ironman- Tim Tebow and the Denver Broncos

Don’t lie to me. As soon as you saw superhero and NFL teams, the first player you thought of was Tim Tebow.

Well, you’re not alone.

Tebow is the most talked about football player every single week, and it’s because he plays the game differently.

And it's similar to the way Iron Man takes the super hero business. It’s not by the book, but it’s effective.

Hulk- Vince Wilfork and the New England Patriots

If you’re an offensive lineman in the league, you have to make sure you don’t make this guy angry.

Vince Wilfork is built like a tank and can stop any rushing attack up the middle. If you painted this guy green, it would be nearly impossible to separate Wilfork from The Incredible Hulk.

Batman- James Harrison and the Pittsburgh Steelers

His only rule is that he doesn’t kill.

James Harrison beats and batters offenses each and every week. Well, that’s if he isn’t suspended.

Harrison is similar to Batman in the same way that he’s sort of like a vigilante fighting an injustice. Fighting against the evil that is Roger Goodell and the No Fun League, Harrison is trying to bring back that hard-hitting style to football that fans have fallen in love with through the years.

It’s a long road, but one man can make a difference!

Cyclops- Dewayne Bowe and the Kansas City Chiefs

Cyclops is one of Professor X’s favorite X-Men, and Dewayne Bowe is one of every Kansas City Chiefs fans’ favorite player.

He’s agile, powerful and has a knack for making super human catches.

Green Hornet- Darrelle Revis and the New York Jets

Darrelle Revis takes away the football the same way Britt Reid takes artifacts from criminals.

The only difference between these two is The Green Hornet’s sidekick is Kato and, well, Revis’ is Rex Ryan.

Iceman- Matt Ryan and the Atlanta Falcons

This one was a no-brainer. Matt Ryan is known around the state of Georgia as “Matty Ice” for his late game heroics in the past.

Ryan’s skin is as cold as Iceman’s sweat.

The Punisher- Ray Lewis and the Baltimore Ravens

If Ray Lewis were a superhero, which I’m still not sure he’s not, he would without a doubt be The Punisher.

Picture perhaps the greatest linebacker in the history of the NFL going around beating and battering people. It’s pretty much the same visual you can find on T.V. during a Baltimore Ravens game.

Wolverine - Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers

In the comics, Wolverine is an animal-like predator who has an incredible ability to absorb punishment and heal immediately. Sound like anyone you know?

Does it sound like a rookie quarterback who runs just as much as he throws and strikes fear into the hearts of cornerbacks?

Cam Newton’s not a Panther, he’s Wolverine.

The Flash - Chris Johnson and the Tennessee Titans

His only super power may be speed, but in a game that features quickness and athleticism, that’s all Chris Johnson needs.

If Johnson gets a crease up front, he’s taking it to the house with that super human speed.

Swamp Thing - Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints

Deep in the swamps of Louisiana hails one of the most dangerous quarterbacks in the league in Drew Brees.

Should any team make an appearance in the swamp, they have to beware of Brees and those New Orleans Saints, and it’s almost a guarantee that no team will make it out unscathed.

Mr. Fantastic- Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers

Speaking of great quarterbacks, has there been anyone better than Aaron Rodgers?

Seriously, this guy is the most accurate passer in the league and can carve up any defense.

Not even Dr. Doom himself could stop this passing attack.

Daredevil - Jay Cutler and the Chicago Bears

Jay Cutler’s alter ego is Daredevil, and it’s because of his willingness to take chances on the football field.

Cutler is an athletic quarterback who can make one brilliant play after another and make an absolutely terrible one after that.

He makes some throws that make you question his vision sometimes, but he’ll still dazzle you with his ability to make plays.

Hellboy- Ndamukong Suh and the Detroit Lions

Regarded as one of the dirtiest players in the league, Ndamukong Suh fits the Hellboy gimmick quite well.

This is the same guy who was ejected from the game against the Green Bay Packers on Thanksgiving for stomping a player.

He’s dominant and can do just about whatever he wants up front, but the name “Hellboy” itself captures his image perfectly.

Spiderman- Adrian Peterson and the Minnesota Vikings

In the comics, Spiderman possesses the abilities to swoop in whenever necessary and evade criminals at will.

Adrian Peterson possesses this same ability for the Minnesota Vikings. Compact with both speed and strength, Peterson can evade tacklers like it’s nobody's business.

Captain America- Tony Romo and the Dallas Cowboys

Tony Romo has to be Captain America if he’s leading America’s team down in Dallas.

The Dallas Cowboys have been regarded as America’s team for years now, and Romo has become the face of the franchise in recent years.

Like it or not, Romo is Captain America.

Superman - Patrick Willis and the San Francisco 49ers

One of the most iconic superheroes in the history of comic books is Superman, and who better than Patrick Willis to represent The Man of Steel?

Willis possesses quickness, strength and is regarded as the best linebacker in the league.

Plain and simple, the man’s Superman—except I’m not so sure he has a kryptonite.

Thor - Maurice Jones-Drew and the Jacksonville Jaguars

Maurice Jones-Drew might not be very big, but he can lower that shoulder and rock defenders who are in his path.

At 5’7’’, Jones-Drew’s compact frame can reign down the hammer of Thor on opponents— should he choose.

Human Torch - Marshawn Lynch and the Seattle Seahawks

The Human Torch’s adversaries don’t want to touch him because they might get burned—and the same could be said of Marshawn Lynch.

Just think back to his playoff run one year ago against the New Orleans Saints and you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about.

Silver Surfer - Michael Vick and the Philadelphia Eagles

Michael Vick’s ability to evade the pocket and make defenders miss makes me think of The Silver Surfer flying through the city in The Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer.

Vick has always been able to make plays with his feet, and with Vick summing the power from within to become a more efficient passer in recent years, it’s easy to picture him as a superhero.

Beast - Joe Thomas and the Cleveland Browns

The X-Men’s Beast is a physical specimen who uses his power and leverage to tumble his enemies, and the same could be said about Joe Thomas.

Thomas is one of the best offensive linemen in the league, and he is considered by his colleagues to be beastly.

Professor X - Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts

Peyton Manning uses his mind to defeat opponents just like Professor X uses his mind to defeat Magneto and his gang.

It doesn’t take a genius to realize that Manning is the smartest player on the field, and he’s used that brain of his to get victories year in and year out.

The Thing - Brandon Jacobs and the New York Giants

Brandon Jacobs packs quite the punch on the football field, both rushing the football and getting into scraps with opposing teams.

He’s a physical running back who’s built like a truck. Some defenders might argue that he’s made of rock.

Green Lantern - Reggie Bush and the Miami Dolphins

Sometimes when I watch Reggie Bush run, I think he’s able to create spaces and leap 15 yards over anything he wants to.

That’s what makes me think he’s The Green Lantern. The Green Lantern can create whatever he imagines in his mind, and Bush has pulled off some moves that I could only dream about.

Spawn - LeGarrette Blount and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Spawn is a creature who was born in the depths of Hell, and sometimes LeGarrette Blount plays like that.

Whether he’s punching somebody in the helmet or just running over tacklers, Blount is one bad dude.

Deadpool - Patrick Peterson and the Arizona Cardinals

Deadpool is one of the coolest comic book characters to date, and that’s exactly the way I picture Patrick Peterson.

Peterson is a shutdown corner who possesses the power to change the game with his amazing returns.

Just in his rookie season, Peterson has already returned four kicks for touchdowns. Is there anything this guy can’t do?

Blade - Andre Johnson and the Houston Texans

Blade doesn’t talk much, but he’s the best in the business at what he does. The same can be said about Andre Johnson.

Unlike most star receivers, Johnson doesn’t add any drama to the team, and he’s a physical specimen.

The Crow - Sam Bradford and the St. Louis Rams

The Crow dies and lives his life as an undead seeking revenge.

This reminds me of Sam Bradford’s career. After suffering a devastating injury at the University of Oklahoma, Bradford came to the NFL and played like it never affected him.

The Spirit: Rex Grossman and the Washington Redskins

Rex Grossman's career always seems to be hanging by a thread.

The Spirit is a masked vigilante who solves mysteries, and I wish he could solve the mystery of Grossman's existence in Washington and in the NFL.

Hawkman - A.J. Green and the Cincinnati Bengals

A.J. Green is an elusive wide receiver who has made a quick splash in Cincinnati in his first year with the Bengals.

He gives the Bengals an aerial attack that they’ve been lacking over the past couple of years.

Doctor Strange- Stevie Johnson and the Buffalo Bills

Doctor Strange is exactly what his title illustrates, and that’s weird. He’s in an unrealistic universe aspired by craziness.

Sort of like a universe that had the Buffalo Bills as one of the best teams in the league earlier this season. Stevie Johnson might not be a doctor, but he’s definitely Doctor Strange.

Robin - Ryan Matthews and the San Diego Chargers

Robin is the superhero that no one wants to be.

He’s the guy who doesn’t get the credit he deserves even though he’s with Batman all the way and does just as much. That’s Ryan Matthews.

Matthews does all the hard work and helps the San Diego Chargers get to the goal line—only to relinquish his glory to Mike Tolbert.

Ghost Rider - Calvin Johnson and the Detroit Lions

Ghost Rider is just a normal guy who turns into a wrecking ball after being cursed. Kind of like when Calvin Johnson touches the football field.

Johnson is a nice, quiet guy, but when he’s on that field, he makes a lot of noise and makes opposing teams pay.

It's unfortunate that Megatron wasn't a comic book hero, but I guess Johnson will just have to make due with the Ghost Rider for this slideshow.