Some NFL stars rake in millions because of their on-field dominance. But others? They just have that thing—the swagger, the style, the “you want to be me” energy—that made them marketing gold without needing a Hall of Fame resume.
Whether it was the hair, the nickname, the fashion sense, or just an effortlessly cool vibe, these guys scored endorsement deals, TV gigs, and serious attention just by being themselves. From backup quarterbacks to touchdown machines, these are the players who cashed in simply for being cool.
16. Cam Newton
Cam didn’t just play quarterback—he entered the field like it was a runway. His outfits alone could’ve landed him a fashion line, and brands knew he brought major style points to the table.
15. Joe Namath
Broadway Joe was the original “cool for cool’s sake” quarterback. He made as much noise with his fur coats and pantyhose ads as he did on the field.
14. Travis Kelce
Between the podcast, the reality dating show, and the pre-Taylor Swift fame, Kelce was already locking down deals thanks to his charm and tight end swagger. He’s like your buddy who could sell anything with a wink and a flex.
13. Odell Beckham Jr.
OBJ turned a one-handed catch into a full-blown brand. Even when injured, he stayed relevant with hair trends, sideline fits, and big-name endorsements.
12. Rob Gronkowski
Gronk basically made millions by being a lovable frat bro with Super Bowl rings. Energy drinks, cruise ships, party tours—you name it, he got paid for it.
11. Reggie Bush
Reggie’s NFL career didn’t exactly rewrite record books, but his USC glow and off-the-field star power kept him marketable for years. He was more GQ than gridiron.
10. Michael Strahan
Strahan pivoted from sack king to talk show king without breaking a sweat. From Gap ads to morning TV, he’s got that rare “America’s Cool Uncle” energy.
9. Deion Sanders
Prime Time built an empire on flash, flair, and doing things his own way. From rap albums to neon suits, Deion knew how to monetize cool decades before it was trendy.
8. Baker Mayfield
Even when his play was meh, Baker kept cashing those commercial checks. His Progressive ads practically ran every Sunday, no matter how many picks he threw.
7. Terry Bradshaw
Bradshaw brought a goofball charm to everything he touched, and somehow made that cool. He went from Super Bowls to hosting gigs and commercials by just being totally himself.
6. Victor Cruz
Cruz danced his way into fans’ hearts and brands’ wallets. The salsa celebrations, the charisma, and the fashion-forward fits kept him on everyone’s radar.
5. Tom Brady
Brady was obviously a legend on the field, but his off-field cool factor went into overdrive later in his career. Luxury brands loved his calm, calculated aura—and that perfect jawline didn’t hurt.
4. Marshawn Lynch
Beast Mode wasn’t just a nickname—it was a lifestyle. He didn’t even like doing interviews, yet somehow turned that into Skittles deals and TV cameos.
Read More: 15 Athletes Who Turned Endorsements Into Empires
3. Jimmy Garoppolo
Jimmy G is the NFL’s resident heartthrob. Even as a backup, he pulled starting-quarterback-level brand attention just for looking like he walked off a GQ shoot.
Read More: Ranking the 25 Highest-Paid NFL Stars Right Now
2. Aaron Rodgers
Rodgers has always done things his way—aloof, confident, and just a little weird. Somehow, that mix turned into big-time endorsement deals and a cult following that can’t get enough of his cool-without-trying vibe.
Read More: 14 NFL Players Who Went Undrafted—and Got Paid
1. Joe Burrow
Burrow’s on-field cool is matched only by his off-field confidence. Cartier shades, iced-out chains, and press conference one-liners turned him into a marketing darling in record time.
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