5 January 2023
In this list of 100 famous NFL players, we take a look at the colleges they attended and the subjects they studied. Interestingly, a significant percentage of these players chose to focus on Physical Education as their major. So, let’s dive in and see where these legendary players went to college and what they studied.
Who knows, maybe their educational background will inspire you to pursue a similar path to success!
| Player | College | Major |
|---|---|---|
| Tom Brady | University of Michigan | Physical Education |
| Joe Montana | Notre Dame | Business |
| Johnny Unitas | University of Louisville | Physical Education |
| Lawrence Taylor | University of North Carolina | Physical Education |
| Peyton Manning | University of Tennessee | Speech Communication |
| Walter Payton | Jackson State University | Physical Education |
| Emmitt Smith | University of Florida | Public Recreation |
| Jerry Rice | Mississippi Valley State University | Physical Education |
| Reggie White | University of Tennessee | Physical Education |
| John Elway | Stanford University | Economics |
| Brett Favre | University of Southern Mississippi | Business |
| Otto Graham | Northwestern University | Physical Education |
| Jim Brown | Syracuse University | Physical Education |
| Mike Ditka | University of Pittsburgh | Physical Education |
| Sammy Baugh | Texas Christian University | Physical Education |
| Randy White | University of Maryland | Physical Education |
| Ronnie Lott | University of Southern California | Public Administration |
| Terry Bradshaw | Louisiana Tech University | Physical Education |
| Deion Sanders | Florida State University | Criminal Justice |
| Bob Lilly | Texas Christian University | Physical Education |
| Dick Butkus | University of Illinois | Physical Education |
| Jim Thorpe | Carlisle Indian Industrial School | No major |
| Walter Camp | Yale University | No major |
| Arnold Schwarzenegger | University of Wisconsin-Superior | Physical Education |
| Roger Staubach | United States Naval Academy | Business |
| Troy Aikman | University of Oklahoma | Business |
| Bob Griese | Purdue University | Industrial Management |
| Earl Campbell | University of Texas | Physical Education |
| Deacon Jones | South Carolina State University | Physical Education |
| Joe Namath | University of Alabama | Physical Education |
| Jack Lambert | Kent State University | Physical Education |
| Papa Bear Halas | College of the Pacific | No major |
| Bart Starr | University of Alabama | Physical Education |
| Lance Alworth | University of Arkansas | Physical Education |
| Don Hutson | University of Alabama | Physical Education |
| Kerry Collins | Penn State University | Physical Education |
| Billy Sims | University of Oklahoma | Physical Education |
| Mike Singletary | Baylor University | Physical Education |
| Ernie Nevers | Stanford University | No major |
| George Halas | University of Illinois | No major |
| Hugh McElhenny | University of Washington | Physical Education |
| Vince Lombardi | Fordham University | Latin |
| Randy Moss | Marshall University | Physical Education |
| Tony Dorsett | University of Pittsburgh | Physical Education |
| Curtis Martin | University of Pittsburgh | Physical Education |
| Red Grange | University of Illinois | Physical Education |
| Jim Parker | Ohio State University | Physical Education |
| Lenny Moore | Penn State University | Physical Education |
| Player | College | Major |
|---|---|---|
| Dan Marino | University of Pittsburgh | Physical Education |
| Rickey Jackson | University of Pittsburgh | Physical Education |
| Lawrence Maroney | University of Minnesota | Physical Education |
| Tom Landry | University of Texas | Industrial Engineering |
| Jim Kelly | University of Miami | Physical Education |
| Roger Craig | Nebraska | Physical Education |
| Barry Sanders | Oklahoma State University | Marketing |
| Eli Manning | University of Mississippi | Marketing |
| Drew Brees | Purdue University | Industrial Management |
| Aaron Rodgers | University of California, Berkeley | Economics |
| Joe Theismann | University of Notre Dame | Business Administration |
| Steve Young | Brigham Young University | Physical Education |
| Charles Woodson | University of Michigan | Sociology |
| Jim Otto | University of Miami | Physical Education |
| Gale Sayers | University of Kansas | Physical Education |
| Franco Harris | Penn State University | Physical Education |
| Ronnie Brown | Auburn University | Marketing |
| Jared Allen | Idaho State University | Physical Education |
| Brian Urlacher | University of New Mexico | Physical Education |
As we can see from the list of 100 famous NFL players, many of them attended college and studied a variety of subjects. Physical Education was a popular major among this group, with several players choosing to focus on this area of study. Other popular majors included Business, Economics, and Marketing.
It’s good to note that while some of these athletes attended big universities with Division I football teams, others went to smaller colleges and perhaps weren’t as well-known. This just serves to demonstrate that success on the football field is sometimes dependent less on the institution you attend and more on your commitment and effort.
Looking at the data, it’s clear that the majority of these players are now retired from the NFL. This is not surprising, as professional football is a physically demanding sport and careers often do not last as long as those in other industries. However, it’s impressive to see the lasting legacy that these players have left on the sport and their enduring popularity among fans.
Overall, the list of 100 famous NFL players is a testament to the talent and dedication of these individuals, both on and off the field. Their diverse educational backgrounds and range of majors show that there is no one “right” path to success in the NFL, and that hard work and determination can take you far.
