Getting to play in the NFL is an amazing accomplishment. Many times, you’ll only see one person from a bloodline enter the league as it is not common to see a player who has a relative who played in the league. However, over the league’s 100-plus-year history, we have seen a lot of players join the league and without a doubt, there must be some fathers of current players who played the game.
Join us as we go over 10 NFL players who also had fathers who played in the league as well.
Van Jefferson
Jefferson has been in the NFL since 2020, having played with the Los Angeles Rams, and Atlanta Falcons, and as of the 2024 offseason, has signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jefferson won Super Bowl LVI with the Rams, something his father Shawn never accomplished. Shawn Jefferson played with the Chargers, Patriots, Falcons, and Lions from 1991 to 2003 having accumulated 470 receptions for 7,023 yards and 29 touchdowns. Starting in 2006, Shawn Jefferson would join the coaching ranks and is currently surviving as the New York Jets receiving coach.
Jamal Adams
Jamal Adams is a free agent safety in the NFL. He has played for the New York Jets and Seattle Seahawks, being named a First-team All-Pro in 2019 and a 2-time Second-team All-Pro. He would also make 3 straight Pro Bowls from 2018 to 2020. His father Jamar was also a safety in the NFL playing 4 years split between the Seahawks and Eagles. It’s pretty safe to say his son has outdone him in the league.
Christian McCaffrey
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McCaffery is quite possibly one of the best players in the game right now. The 49ers star running back has been in the league since 2017 accumulating a total of 6,185 yards and 52 touchdowns on 1,297 rushing attempts. His father. Ed played for the Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers, and New York Giants, winning 3 Super Bowls, something the younger McCaffrey has yet to do.
Marlon Humphrey
The Ravens corner has been in the NFL since 2017 spending all 7 seasons with the Baltimore Ravens. Humphrey has been named to 3 Prow Bowls during his career and was given a first-team all-pro selection in 2019. Not only is Marlon a star in the league, but his father Bobby was also a Pro Bowler. Bobby played 4 seasons in the NFL split between Denver and Miami, earning a Prow Bowl selection in 1990.
Antoine Winfeild Jr.
Winefeild Jr is a Super Bowl champ, First-team All-Pro, and Pro Bowler. In all of his 4 NFL seasons, Winfeild Jr has hit the 80-plus tackle mark, hitting the 100-plus tackle mark in 2023. His father, Antoine Winfield Sr., played in the league from 1999 till 2012 with time split between the Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings. The elder Winfield was named a Second-team All-Pro in 2008 and was named to Pro Bowls in 3 straight years from 2008 to 2010 before retiring in 2013.
Cameron Heyward
Heyward is a defensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Heyward’s NFL career has seen him named to 6 straight Pro Bowls from 2017 through 2022. He was also named a Second-team All-Pro once and a First-team All-Pro 3 times before winning the 2023 Walter Payton Man of the Year Award. His father, Craig, also played in the NFL as a fullback from 1988 to 1998, playing for Saints, Bears, Falcons, Rams, and Colts. Craig Heyward would be named to one Pro Bowl after hitting the 1,000-plus rushing yard mark for the first and only time in his career in 1995.
DK Metcalf
DK Metcalf is one of the top receivers in the NFL right now. The Seahawks top receiver has brought in 372 passes for 5,332 yards and 43 touchdowns over his 5-year NFL career, however, DK is not the only Metcalf to suit up for an NFL franchise. His father Terrance played for 7 seasons on the offensive line in Chicago playing a total of 84 games over that time span.
Michael Pittman Jr.
Pittman Jr is wide receiver 1 over in Indianapolis. Through his 4 NFL seasons, Pittman Jr has hit the 1,000 receiving yard mark twice while racking up 15 receiving touchdowns. His father, Michael Pittman Sr., was a running back who played in the NFL from 1998 to 2008 where he saw time with the Arizona Cardinals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Denver Broncos. Pittman Sr. would also win a Super Bowl with the Buccaneers in 2002, something, like the aforementioned McCaffrey, his son has yet to accomplish.
Pat Surtain II
Sutain II was selected with 9th overall pick in the 2021 NFL Draft by the Broncos where he has remained for the last 3 seasons. Surtain had been named to 2 Pro Bowls and was a First-team All-Pro in 2022. His Father Patrick, also played in the league splitting 11 seasons between the Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs. Like his son, the elder Surtain played cornerback garnering 3 Pro Bowl selections along with a First-team All-Pro in 2002 and Second-team All-Pro in 2003.
Tremaine Edmunds
Edmunds plays linebacker for the Chicago Bears. Edmunds played 5 seasons with the Bills being named to 2 Pro Bowls. Not only was his brother drafted to the league in the same year, but his father also played in the NFL from 1988 to 1994. Ferrell Edmunds split time between the Dolphins and the Seahawks, earning 2 Pro Bowl selections and a Second-team All-Pro selection in 1989.
