NFL ABCs (Best Players Alphabetically) Quiz

Answer: Larry Allen

Larry Allen was born in 1971 in Los Angeles, California. Larry was not academically eligible to play Division One college ball coming out of high school. Thus, he attended Butte Community College in Chico, California, and then transferred to Sonoma State University in Rohnert Park, California (a Div. Two school).

He played in 203 NFL games. He won a single world championship, was a seven time All-Pro, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2013.

Answer: Tom Brady

Tom Brady was born in 1977 in San Mateo, California. Brady struggled for playing time throughout his college career. His breakthrough professionally came when New England Patriots starting quarterback, Drew Bledsoe was injured. Brady never relinquished his starting role thereafter.

Answer: Earl Campbell

Earl Campbell was born in 1955 in Tyler, Texas. As a Texas Longhorn he won the Heisman Trophy in his senior year. He was nicknamed the "Tyler Rose" during his college and pro careers. He is known as one of the most punishing running backs in NFL history.

He played in 115 NFL games. He never won an NFL championship, he was a five time ALL-Pro, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1991.

Answer: Mike Ditka

His birth name was Mike Dyczko. He was born in 1939 in Carnegie, Pennsylvania. During his high school years his family legally changed their last name to Ditka because the original Ukrainian spelling was hard to pronounce. He was nicknamed "Iron Mike" throughout his career.

He played in 158 NFL games, and later became a successful assistant and head coach for various teams. As both player and coach he won five NFL championships. Ditka was a six time All-Pro, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1988.

Answer: John Elway

John Elway was born in 1960 in Port Angeles, Washington. While attending Stanford University he was drafted by both Major League Baseball and the NFL. Drafted by the New York Yankees, owner George Steinbrenner wanted him fast tracked to a starting position in right field, by his second pro season.

However, he opted for the NFL. After his playing career with the Denver Broncos he became an executive in the organization. John played in 261 NFL games. As a player and an executive he won three NFL championships, was a three time All-Pro, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2004.

Answer: Brett Favre

Brett Favre was born in 1969 in Gulfport, Mississippi. Southern Mississippi University was the only Division One college to offer him a scholarship. Favre was the "Iron Man" of the NFL (much like Cal Ripken and Lou Gehrig in baseball). He started 291 consecutive games, and played in a total of 328 games, including the postseason.

He won a single NFL championship, was a six time All-Pro, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2016.

Answer: Joe Greene

Charles "Joe" Greene was born in 1946 in Temple, Texas. Known as "Mean Joe" throughout his college and pro careers. "Joe" was a name one of his aunts gave him because she thought he resembled boxing legend Joe Louis. "Mean" came from a student section chant at North Texas State University (referring to the school's uniform colors). Greene said in an interview that he was not really fond of the "Mean Joe" moniker.

He played in 193 NFL games. He won four NFL championships, was an eight time All-Pro, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1987.

Answer: Don Hutson

Don Hutson was born in 1913 in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. During his college career legendary Alabama coach "Bear" Bryant was a fellow wide receiver on the team. Don went undrafted because there was no draft in the early days of the NFL (all players were free to sign with whichever team made them the best offer).

He was a two-way player who played defensive back, as well as wide receiver. Hutson had 30 career interceptions on defense. Jerry Rice aside, Don was possibly the greatest wide-out in NFL history.

He played in 116 NFL games. He won three NFL championships, was an eight time All-Pro, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1963. Don Hutson died in 1997 at the age of 84.

Answer: Michael Irvin

Michael Irvin was born in 1966 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. He was a national champion while in college, and went on to become part of "The Triplets" (Irvin, Troy Aikman, and Emmitt Smith) of the Dallas Cowboys. Legal issues plagued him during his playing years, as well as after retiring (sexual assaults, drug possessions, and weapon charges were among the many). Irvin played in 174 NFL games.

He was a three time NFL champion, a three time All-Pro, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2007.

Answer: Deacon Jones

David "Deacon" Jones was born in 1938 in Eatonville, Florida. He gave himself the nickname "Deacon" after he was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams. He did so because there were far too many David Joneses in the L.A. county phone book. "Deacon" Jones, he thought, people would always remember. Jones coined the phrase "sack the quarterback" before the statistic of sacks were recorded officially by the NFL.

He played in 191 NFL games. He failed to win a NFL championship, was an eight time All-Pro, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1980. "Deacon" Jones died in 2013 at the age of 74.

Answer: Paul Krause

Paul Krause was born in 1942 in Flint, Michigan. In high school he was a four sport athlete who earned All-State honors in all four sports. He once scored 78 points in a high school basketball game. Krause has held the NFL record for career interceptions for over forty years (doing so in an era where the "run game" was predominant).

He and his Minnesota Vikings went to four Super Bowls, but came up short in each one. He played in 242 NFL games, was a seven time All-Pro, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1998.

Answer: Ronnie Lott

Ronnie Lott was born in 1959 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Lott is considered the greatest all-around defensive back in most circles. However, he may be more renown for having his left "pinkie" finger amputated so that he would not miss any playing time because of surgery.

He played in 212 NFL games. He won four NFL championships, was an eight time All-Pro, and was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 2000.

Answer: Joe Montana

Joe Montana was born in 1956 in New Eagle, Pennsylvania. Montana and his 49ers were involved in many iconic moments during his time there. He finished his career in a Kansas City Chiefs uniform, and came just yards away from taking them to a Super Bowl.

He earned the nickname "Joe Cool" for always coming through when things "really heated up". An example of this came in Super Bowl XXIII. Trailing the Bengals by three with just minutes left, he led the Niners on a 92 yard game winning drive. In the midst of that drive he was composed enough to calm his team down by mentioning that the actor John Candy was standing on the sidelines, and how much he loved all his movies. Joe played in 219 NFL games.

He was a four time NFL champion, was a five time All-Pro, and was enshrined in the Hall of Fame in 2000.

Answer: Ray Nitschke

Ray Nitschke was born in 1936 in Elmwood Park, Illinois. Ray's father died in a car crash when he was four years old. His mother died of an illness when he was 13. His older brothers, Robert and Richard took responsibility for raising Ray through high school.

His signature look of no top or bottom front teeth occurred during a tackle against Ohio State while in college. He played in 216 NFL games. Nitschke won seven NFL championships (all with the Packers), was a seven time All-Pro, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1978. Ray Nitschke died in 1998 at the age of 61.

Answer: Merlin Olsen

Merlin Olsen was born in 1940 in Logan, Utah. After a storied NFL career Merlin went on to Hollywood to become an actor. He had a recurring role on the TV series Little House on the Prairie, and eventually garnered his own series called Father Murphy.

He played in 218 NFL games, and all were with the Los Angeles Rams. He never won an NFL championship, was a 10 time All-Pro, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1982. Merlin Olsen died in 2010 at the age of 69.

Answer: Walter Payton

Walter Payton was born 1954 in Columbia, Mississippi. He and Jim Brown are often referred to as the greatest running backs in league history. "Sweetness", as he was nicknamed, has the honor of having the NFL's most prestigious individual award named after him.

The Walter Payton: Man of the Year Award is bestowed annually to the player who best exhibits excellence both on the field, and off the field through charitable/volunteer work. He played in 199 NFL games. He won a single NFL championship, was an eight time All-Pro, and was enshrined into the Hall of Fame in 1993. Walter Payton died in 1999 at the young age of 45.

Answer: Mike Quick

Mike Quick was born in 1959 in Hamlet, North Carolina. He had a nine year career with the Philadelphia Eagles as a wide receiver. He is tied with a select few, along with teammate Ron Jaworski, for the never to be broken record of a 99 yard touchdown pass.

He played in 161 NFL games. He never was a NFL champion, was a three time All-Pro, and is a member of the Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame.

Answer: Jerry Rice

Jerry Rice was born in 1962 in Starkville, Mississippi. Rice set numerous NCAA and NFL receiving records, and is considered the greatest wide-out in NFL history. The Dallas Cowboys were set to take Jerry with their first pick in 1985. However, the San Francisco 49ers traded up to one spot in front of "America's Team", and kept him from their bitter rival.

He played in 337 NFL games. He won three NFL championships, was an 11 time All-Pro, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2010.

Answer: Emmitt Smith

Emmitt Smith was born in 1969 in Pensacola, Florida. Coming out of high school most scouts felt he was too small and slow to be very productive at the college level. One top scout said, "When he falls flat on his face, remember where you heard it first". Smith went on to break numerous records for running backs at the college and pro levels.

He played in 253 NFL games. He was a three time NFL champion, was a six time All-Pro, and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2010.

Answer: Lawrence Taylor

Lawrence Taylor, "L.T.", was born in 1959 in Williamsburg, North Carolina. He is considered, in most circles, the greatest defensive player in NFL history. He has had, seemingly, countless run-ins with the law. These occurred both during his playing career, and after he retired from the NFL. Taylor was a two- time NFL champion (Super Bowls), was a 10 time All-Pro, and was enshrined into the Hall of Fame in 1999.

Answer: Johnny Unitas

Johnny Unitas was born in 1933 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers, but was cut during the preseason. Walt Kiesling, head coach of the Steelers at the time, didn't think Johnny was smart enough to play quarterback in the NFL.

The Baltimore Colts picked him up the following season, and the legend of "The Golden Arm of Johnny U" was born. He went on to play in 225 NFL games. Unitas won four NFL championships (the 4th was a Super Bowl), was an eight time All-Pro, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1979. Johnny Unitas died in 2002 at the age of 69.

Answer: Norm Van Brocklin

Norman Van Brocklin was born in 1926 in Parade, South Dakota. He served in the U.S. Navy during the final two years of World War II prior to going to the University of Oregon, and then on to the NFL. Known by the nickname, "The Flying Dutchman", Norm played 12 seasons with both the L.A. Rams and Philadelphia Eagles.

He was a two time NFL champion, was a four time All-Pro, and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1971. Norm Van Brocklin died in 1983 at the age of 57.

Answer: Reggie White

Reggie White was born in 1961 in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He actually played his first two professional seasons in the United States Football League (the USFL) for the Memphis Showboats. He was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the first round of the 1985 supplemental draft when the USFL shut down operations. Reggie was nicknamed "The Minister of Defense", as he was an ordained Baptist preacher.

He played in 248 NFL games, and 34 in the USFL. He won a single Super Bowl, was a 13 time All-Pro, and was enshrined into the Hall of Fame posthumously in 2006. Reggie White died in 2004 at the age of 43.

Answer: Steve Young

Steve Young was born in 1961 in Salt Lake City, Utah. He spent his initial two seasons in the USFL with the LA Express. Young was taken in the first round of the 1985 supplemental draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. After two disastrous seasons in Tampa he was traded to the San Francisco 49ers.

He spent four years as Joe Montana's back up. When Joe departed Young took the reigns, and spent a decade as the best quarterback in the NFL. He played in 184 NFL games (and 25 in the USFL). He won three Super Bowls, was a six time All-Pro, and was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2005.

Answer: Gary Zimmerman

Gary Zimmerman was born in 1961 in Fullerton, California. He spent two seasons in the USFL (playing for the LA Express). Gary was taken in round one of the 1985 supplemental draft when the USFL folded. He played for the Minnesota Vikings initially, and finished has playing time with the Denver Broncos.

He played in 184 NFL games (and 34 in the USFL). He won a single Super Bowl, was an eight time All-Pro, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2008.