Deadspin | These are the oldest players in NFL history (2024)

FAQs

Who is the oldest NFL player in history? ›

Blanda retired from pro football in August 1976 as the sport's oldest player at the age of 48, a mark that still stands. One of only two players to play in four different decades—the other one being John Carney, he holds the record for most extra points made (943) and attempted (959).

Who was the oldest player selected in the NFL draft? It's quarterback Chris Weinke, who was drafted by the Carolina Panthers in Round 4 in 2001. Weinke, who was 28 years and 264 days old when he was drafted, had won the Heisman Trophy at Florida State in 2000, throwing 33 touchdown passes and 11 interceptions.

The former Chicago Bears quarterback, George Blanda, is graded the oldest player and quarterback to ever play in the league, retiring at age 48 in 1976.

Blanda, a quarterback-turned-kicker late in his career, played until he was 48. At 41, Peters is the oldest offensive tackle in league history and the second-oldest offensive lineman ever (Ray Brown, a guard, played at age 43 in playoffs after the 2005 season).

Who is the oldest player in NFL history? George Blanda is the oldest player to play in NFL history. Blanda was a quarterback and placekicker who played in the NFL for 26 seasons. He retired in 1975 at the age of 48.

As of September 2022, there are three active players in the NFL aged 40 or above. Tom Brady, quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, is 45.

The oldest player ever selected in the NFL draft was quarterback Chris Weinke, who was 28 years and 264 days old when the Panthers selected the Heisman Trophy winner out of Florida State in 2000.

Amobi Okoye made history as the youngest player ever drafted by the NFL in 2007, at the age of 19. Now, at 36 years old, Okoye remains a respected figure in American football. His position on the field has been defensive tackle, having played for teams like the Texans, Bears, and Cowboys.

Age Groups and Exemptions. The Selective Service System, responsible for the U.S. military draft, applies to all male citizens and immigrants aged 18-25. Certain exceptions may exempt individuals from this requirement.

No rookie quarterback has ever won a Super Bowl in the 57 years of the game's existence as the starter.

Who played in the NFL the longest? ›

The longest career we have seen in the NFL belongs to Morten Andersen. Andersen played a total of 382 games, and was a kicker.

Sam Darnold will be the youngest QB to start a season opener since the 1970 merger. Michael Vick and Alex Smith also started at the age of 21. Take a look at how these young quarterbacks performed in their first start compared to their career stats.

A long list of players have competed in the National Football League at age 40 or older. The group includes a number of Pro Football Hall of Fame members led by George Blanda who retired just shy of his 49th birthday.

George Blanda, QB/K.

Danielle Hunter. Danielle Hunter, born on October 29, 1994, was only 20 years old when he was drafted into the NFL in 2015 by the Minnesota Vikings. Playing as a defensive end for the Vikings, Hunter has become a formidable force in the league due to his incredible athletic ability.

For the record, there have been 22 quarterbacks, including Brees and Brady, who have played into their 40's in NFL history. George Blanda, a quarterback who was also a kicker, played until he was 48. To be fair, Blanda started just one game at quarterback after the age of 40.

The average retirement age for NFL players is 27.6 years old, which is notably younger compared to other professional sports leagues. This early retirement age is often due to the physically demanding nature of football.