Some NFL players could knock your team out of the playoffs, and you’d still tip your cap to them. These guys earned respect from fans, teammates, coaches, and even rivals by being absolute class acts on and off the field.
Whether it was their work ethic, leadership, or just a general sense of good-guy energy, these players never gave anyone a reason to root against them. From humble legends to ultimate team-first pros, here are 20 NFL players who somehow avoided the haters—and honestly, that’s harder than making the Hall of Fame.
20. Zach Thomas
He played like a wrecking ball in the middle of the Dolphins’ defense and somehow still came across as everyone’s favorite underdog. Even fans of rival teams had a soft spot for how hard he worked and how little he ever sought the spotlight.
19. Steve Largent
Before flashy receivers were a thing, Largent quietly torched secondaries with crisp routes and sure hands. He wasn’t loud but loved across the league for doing everything the right way.
18. Curtis Martin
Curtis Martin just showed up, ran hard, and stayed humble for over a decade. He didn’t dance in the end zone or trash talk—he just quietly ran for over 14,000 yards and earned universal respect.
17. Torry Holt
The Rams’ “Greatest Show on Turf” had its stars, but Torry Holt was the glue guy fans always rooted for. He ran sharp routes, caught everything, and never made headlines for the wrong reasons.
16. Brian Dawkins
He hit like a freight train and still somehow never had a bad word said about him. Weapon X had intensity on the field and humility off it—an impossible combo to dislike.
15. Larry Fitzgerald
Possibly the NFL’s gold standard for professionalism, Fitzgerald never gave anyone a reason to root against him. He caught everything, treated everyone with respect, and stayed loyal to one team through thick and thin.
14. Ronde Barber
He made big plays in big games, but always carried himself like a pro. Fans loved him for his football IQ, quiet consistency, and being a class act in a tough division.
13. Calvin Johnson
Even as he racked up video game numbers, “Megatron” stayed soft-spoken and humble. It’s hard to root against a guy who dominated so effortlessly and still never acted like he was better than anyone else.
12. Hines Ward
Hines Ward played with a smile on his face and blocked like a pulling guard. He had fun, played hard, and earned respect from teammates and opponents alike.
11. Tony Dungy
Okay, not a player during the bulk of his fame, but Dungy was a player before becoming one of the most beloved coaches ever. His quiet leadership and unwavering integrity earned him fans everywhere.
10. Walter Payton
“Sweetness” didn’t just have a nice nickname—he had a playing style and personality that won over even his fiercest opponents. He ran with power, played with heart, and gave back more than he took.
9. Joe Thomas
He played over 10,000 consecutive snaps for a franchise that barely won anything, and never complained once. Browns fans loved him, and the rest of us respected the grind.
8. Marshall Faulk
He was electric with the ball in his hands, but always acted like he’d been there before. No antics, no ego—just smooth football brilliance and a great reputation.
7. Andre Johnson
He let his game do the talking, and it spoke volumes. Even when he was stuck on underwhelming Texans teams, he never quit, never whined, and never gave fans a reason to dislike him.
6. Frank Gore
Frank Gore might be the league’s most beloved grinder. He just kept running through tacklers for years without a single moment of drama.
5. Ed Reed
He picked off passes like it was nothing and always handed the ball back like a true pro. His football mind and quiet confidence made him a fan favorite league-wide.
4. Reggie Wayne
Wayne was a steady, reliable, and classy presence in the Colts’ offense for years. He never tried to be flashy, just consistent, which made him beloved by everyone.
3. Drew Brees
From his post-Katrina impact in New Orleans to his pinpoint accuracy, Brees was the guy everyone wanted to see succeed. He combined elite talent with elite character.
2. Barry Sanders
Barry played like he was out of a video game, yet never celebrated like it. He’d hand the ball to the ref, thank his blockers, and leave defenders in the dust without a hint of arrogance.
Read More: Ranking the 15 Greatest Safeties in NFL History
1. Peyton Manning
The rare superstar who could pick your team apart and still make you laugh in a commercial afterward. Peyton combined football greatness with goofball charm, and somehow, nobody ever hated him for it.
Read More: 20 NFL Players Every Fan Could Agree On
