The 15 Best Role Models in the NFL

There is plenty of negative press about NFL players, usually stemming from off-the-field issues. Fortunately, there are also some positive role models in football.

It seems like players like Adam "Pacman" Jones receive all of the headlines with multiple arrests and constant suspensions.

However, there are numerous athletes that are good for kids to look up to. Some use their fortunes to give back to the community, while others simply keep a clean record and show how hard work can pay off.

These men should be admired and receive more attention for their positive behavior. 

Madieu Williams

Madieu Williams grew up in a poor area of Prince George's County, Maryland.

When he started earning a healthy salary as an NFL veteran, he started giving back to his community. 

The University of Maryland alumnus donated $4 million to the university's School of Public Health in order to create a Center for Health Literacy.

The donation helped him win the Walter Payton Award, an honor given to the player with quality off-the-field contributions. 

The safety also started the Madieu Williams Foundation to help local kids learn life skills. 

Drew Brees

Not only is Drew Brees one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL, but he is a great ambassador of the sport.

Following the horrific damage due to Hurricane Katrina, Brees and other New Orleans Saints players helped many local residents rebuild their homes and their lives. 

He also started the Brees Dream Foundation in 2003, which has helped raise money for everything from cancer research to education to underprivileged youth. 

There are few individuals that better represent the NFL and all of its values than Brees.

Cortland Finnegan

Cortland Finnegan was the 215th overall selection in the NFL draft, but worked his way to being an All-Pro cornerback for the Tennessee Titans.

As good as he is on the field, his contributions off the field are what make him really stand out.

Finnegan is a two-time nominee for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. This is mostly thanks to his contributions towards special-needs children.

He started the ARK 31 Foundation, which stands for Acts of Random Kindness. The foundation benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as well as the Special Olympics. 

Programs like this help a lot more than just football fans.

Chad Pennington

Chad Pennington was not in the NFL this season, but he has not officially retired.

Based on his determination, no one should count out a comeback.

The quarterback had a good start to his career, but a shoulder surgery in 2005 looked as though it could derail him.

A year later, Pennington led the Jets to the playoffs behind 3,652 yards passing and earned himself the Comeback Player of the Year Award.

In 2007, Pennington suffered more injury problems and was only able to play half of the regular season.

Once again, the quarterback proved the doubters wrong and led the Miami Dolphins to the playoffs. He not only won his second Comeback Player of the Year Award, but finished second to Peyton Manning for the NFL MVP.

Chad Pennington showed that injuries are not an excuse for anyone to stop doing what they can to succeed.

Braylon Edwards

Braylon Edwards has been known throughout his career for mostly negative reasons.

On the field he has not lived up to his potential; off the field he has had a few problems with the law, including a New York City DUI. 

However, a little-known side of Edwards was shown recently thanks to a piece by Rick Reilly, highlighting his contributions to Cleveland teenagers. 

When he was only a rookie, the receiver promised 100 students $10,000 towards college if they could graduate with a 2.5 GPA. He lived up to his word and delivered the scholarship to each student who earned it.

Edwards is giving up almost his entire 2011 salary to help students get an opportunity they would not have gotten otherwise.

Darren Sproles

Despite standing at 5'6" tall, Darren Sproles has been a contributor in the NFL for seven seasons.

Sproles is the the shortest player in football and had to overcome doubters at every step of his career.

The running back went to Kansas State and rushed for almost 5,000 yards in his college career, but was still only a fourth-round draft pick. 

His determination has allowed him to keep playing well, as evidenced by his career average of 5.1 yards per carry. This season he is having a resurgence with the New Orleans Saints after being non-tendered by the San Diego Chargers.

Sproles' story should serve as motivation to young kids who are not the biggest athletes, but still try hard. 

Nnamdi Asomugha

Although few could spell it, many people know the name Nnamdi Asomugha.

He has been known one of the best cornerbacks in the football over the past few years, and earned himself a large paycheck this offseason with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Just as impressive, his work in philanthropy goes deeper than just writing a few checks.

During his time with the Oakland Raiders, Asomugha visited the East Oakland Youth Development Center almost every Monday afternoon. 

His work helps create a bond with children and it helps motivate them to work harder in academics to better their lives.

Charles Tillman

Chicago Bears cornerback Charles Tillman has had a solid career, totaling 29 interceptions over nine seasons.

In 2005, Tillman started the Cornerstone Foundation to provide opportunities and resources to children or their families who are in need.

Four years later, the Chicago native won the Ed Block Courage Award, given to players who are voted by their teammates as role models of inspiration and courage.

The city of Chicago should be proud to have this type of athlete representing its team.

Tim Tebow

Tim Tebow has become the most controversial player in the NFL, as fans or analysts cannot decide whether or not he is a quality quarterback.

Off the field, Tebow is just as controversial with his religious views and his missionary work.

The part that cannot be argued is that he still makes a great impression on everyone that meets him. If you have a minute, read Matt Berry's story about meeting the young quarterback. 

His kindness and positive spirit represent a welcome change to players filled with ego and anger.

Brian Waters

Brian Waters was a five-time Pro Bowl guard for the Kansas City Chiefs, and is now a member of the New England Patriots.

In 2010, Waters received the Walter Payton Man of the Year award thanks to his charitable contributions in his community.

Off the field he is most known for the Brian Waters 54 Foundation, which helps inner-city youth. 

Winning the award allows the NFL to make a charitable donation in the recipient's name. 

Jason Taylor

After 15 seasons in the NFL, Jason Taylor has won plenty of awards.

The defensive end has been to six Pro Bowls, been an All-Pro selection five times and in 2006 was named the Defensive Player of the Year. 

However, few know about the fact that he won the Walter Payton Award in 2007 as the Man of the Year.

His Jason Taylor Foundation has helped increase literacy among South Florida residents.

Just for good measure, Sporting News has given him their "Good Guys" award on multiple occasions. 

David Garrard

Although David Garrard was out of the NFL this season after being cut by the Jacksonville Jaguars, he is still someone that young kids should look up to.

In 2004, the quarterback was diagnosed with Crohn's disease, an illness that would stop the career of most other athletes.

He now works to help people who have the same disease, and show them not to give up on their dreams.

His message should be used for all kids growing up, that they should not let anything stop them on the way to reaching their goal. 

Israel Idonije

Israel Idonije, defensive end for the Chicago Bears, scored his first career touchdown last week against the Seattle Seahawks. 

The Nigerian native has done much more off the field to make his presence known. 

He has been a finalist for the Walter Payton Award and has won the Ed Block Award for Courage.

His foundation works with youths in order to maximize everyone's full potential. 

Mark Herzlich

Unlike other members of this list, Mark Herzlich had an inspiring story before he ever reached the NFL.

The former Boston College linebacker was diagnosed with Ewing sarcoma, a rare form of bone cancer, which caused him to miss the entire 2009 season. By 2010, Herzlich was cancer-free and back on the playing field.

Prior to the start of the 2011 season, the linebacker was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New York Giants. His determination allowed him to start by the middle of his rookie season.

Herzlich proves that no one should ever give up, regardless of what obstacles are in someone's way.

Peyton Manning

Until this season, there was no question as to what player would be considered the "face of the NFL."

Peyton Manning was not only a four-time MVP, but was also in just about every commercial on television.

The quarterback is the ideal person to represent the NFL. He is immensely talented, works hard in practice and in the film room, and is entertaining on camera. 

In addition, he is the head of the Peyback Foundation, a group that helps youth funding. It also helped towards the effort to rebuild New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. 

It would be hard to imagine parents wanting their kids to grow up to be like any other athlete.