These are the oldest players in NFL history

Mackenzie MeaneyMackenzie Meaney|published: Sun 24th December, 07:00 2023
source: Getty Images

The NFL is a rough, violent game. The average career length in the modern NFL is j ust 3.3 years in the league. This is why it’s so impressive to see these NFL legends play so deep into their 40s. How many more names will we see join the ranks of the league’s oldest players in history?

George Blanda, QB/K

source: Getty Images

Age: 48 years, 109 days

Teams: Chicago Bears, Baltimore Colts, Houston Oilers, Oakland Raiders

Fun fact: Blanda appeared in commercials for Schaefer beer, Kellogg’s cereal, and was an official Chrysler spokesman.

Morten Anderson, K

source: Getty Images

Age: 47 years, 133 days

Teams: New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants, Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings

Fun fact: Anderson wanted to play until he turned 50. He went unsigned during the 2008 season, retiring two days after he would have surpassed Blanda had a team offered Anderson a contract.

Adam Vinatieri, K

source: Getty Images

Age: 46 years, 338 days

Teams: New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts

Fun fact: His third cousin is Evil Knievel.

John Carney, K

source: Getty Images

Age: 46 years, 173 days

Teams: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Rams, San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants

Fun fact: When the Saints released him in 2009, Carney was the last active NFLer to have played in the 80s.

Gary Anderson, K

source: Getty Images

Age: 45 years, 170 days

Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings, Tennessee Titans

Fun fact: Upon his retirement, Anderson was the last active NFLer to have played for Chuck Noll, and was the last active player who was born in the 1950s. He also commuted from Canada when he joined the Titans.

Tom Brady, QB

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Age: 45 years, 166 days

Teams: New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers


Fun fact: He lost three Super Bowls.

Ben Agajanian, K

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Age: 45 years, 72 days

Teams: Philadelphia Eagles. Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Dons, New York Giants, Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, Green Bay Packers, Dallas Texans, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers

Fun fact: He had four of his toes amputated.

Steve DeBerg, QB

source: Getty Images

Age: 44 years, 342 days

Teams: San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons

Fun fact: He retired in 1993 only to come back in 1998 to join the Atlanta Falcons, who made the Super Bowl that season.

Matt Bryant, K

source: Getty Images

Age: 44 years, 151 days

Teams: New York Giants, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons

Fun fact: He drank a chocolate milkshake before each game and wore a size 9 cleat despite having a size 10.5 foot.

Eddie Murray, K

source: Getty Images

Age: 44 years, 117 days

Teams: Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington, Minnesota Vikings

Fun fact: His Canadian high school didn’t offer football, so he played soccer, cricket, and rugby, and ran track.

Vinny Testaverde, QB

source: Getty Images

Age: 44 years, 47 days

Teams: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers

Fun fact: He had 123 losses as a starting QB.

Warren Moon, QB

source: Getty Images

Age: 44 years, 8 days

Teams: Houston Oilers, Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs

Fun fact: He’s a member of both the Canadian and Pro Football Halls of Fame.

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