Every die hard NFL fan knows about the legends, icons and Hall of Famers who forever changed their franchise for the better.
But which player on your team had elite production but never got the credit and recognition they deserved? That’s what we’re here to address, so let’s dive into the biggest forgotten superstar in every NFL team’s history.
Arizona Cardinals: Luis Sharpe
Sharpe spent his entire career with the Cardinals, which spanned from 1982 to 1994. But they were constantly among football’s worst teams over that span, so Sharpe’s contributions in the trenches were largely overlooked.
Sharpe was one of football’s premier left tackles in the ‘80s, earning three Pro Bowl nods plus a second-team all-pro selection in 1990. Too bad the Redbirds couldn’t build a contender around him.
Atlanta Falcons: Mike Kenn
Like Sharpe, Kenn was one of the best — albeit also one of the most overlooked — offensive linemen of his era. Kenn spent the entirety of his 17-year career with the Falcons — from 1978 to ‘94.
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Kenn was a five-time Pro Bowler who earned three first-team and two second-team all-pro nods. He’s currently one of the franchise’s biggest Hall of Fame snubs. Perhaps one day he’ll get his break…
Baltimore Ravens: Chris McAlister
Hard for McAlister to stand out when he played on a defense that featured fellow star cornerback Rod Woodson and all-time greats in Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Terrell Suggs.
But in his prime, there weren’t many better shutdown, ball-hawking corners than the three-time Pro Bowler, who helped Baltimore to a Super Bowl 35 championship in the 2000 season.
McAlister’s 138 pass defenses are the most in franchise history.
Buffalo Bills: Joe Ferguson
Ferguson played for the Bills from 1973 to 1984. He led the league in passing yards during the 1977 season and helped Buffalo to the postseason three times — going as far as the Divisional Round in 1981.
Ferguson retired as the Bills’ all-time leader in completions, passing yards and passing touchdowns before Jim Kelly smashed those records.
Carolina Panthers: Muhsin Muhammad
Muhammad was a beast of a wide receiver in Carolina, no matter which quarterback was throwing him the football. The two-time Pro Bowler helped Carolina to NFC title game appearances in 1996, 2003 and 2005.
In ‘03, the Panthers made an unexpected run to Super Bowl 38 — where they dropped a heartbreaker to the New England Patriots. As a Panther, Muhammad hauled in 696 receptions for 9,255 yards and 50 touchdowns.
He was often overshadowed by fellow star receiver Steve Smith Sr, thus making Muhammad a “forgotten superstar”.
Chicago Bears: Steve McMichael
Easy to overlook a Super Bowl champion defensive tackle and a two-time Pro Bowler with 95 career sacks.
That was life for McMichael. Because he played on a stacked Bears defense that also featured Hall of Famers Richard Dent, Mike Singletary and Dan Hampton, plus other underrated stars like Otis Wilson and Wilber Marshall.
Cincinnati Bengals: Reggie Williams
The standout linebacker spent his entire 14-year career with the Bengals. The No. 82 selection of the 1976 draft racked up 63.5 sacks and 16 interceptions throughout his career, and yet he didn’t earn a single Pro Bowl or All-Pro nod.
Williams was instrumental in helping Cincy to Super Bowl appearances in the 1981 and ‘88 seasons, both of which resulted in a loss to the 49ers. Maybe if the Bengals had won one of those games, Williams’ illustrious career would get more recognition?
Cleveland Browns: Dick Schafrath
If Schafrath was in the Hall of Fame, he wouldn’t be a forgotten superstar. But alas, more than a half-century after his last NFL season, Schafrath remains one of the all-time biggest Hall of Fame snubs.
This seven-time Pro Bowler and four-time first-team all-pro offensive lineman played both tackle and guard. A five-star run-blocker for Jim Brown, Schrafrath helped the Browns to an NFL championship in 1964.
Dallas Cowboys: Ed “Too Tall” Jones
Jones is more famous because of his nickname “Too Tall,” but the 6-foot-9 giant was a big-time player for the Cowboys under legendary head coach Tom Landry.
Jones, one of four Cowboys to reach the 100-sack mark. He was also a three-time Pro Bowl defensive end who led Dallas to a Super Bowl 12 championship in the 1977 season. So much for being “too tall” to play football.
Denver Broncos: Rod Smith
For an undrafted player, we’d say Smith turned out pretty good. He became John Elway’s top receiver in the final years of No. 7’s career, helping Denver to consecutive Super Bowl championships in the 1997 and ‘98 seasons.
Smith, a three-time Pro Bowler, exceeded 1,000 yards receiving in eight of his 12 NFL seasons. How many NFL receivers can say that?
Detroit Lions: Wayne Walker
Walker’s entire 15-year NFL career was spent with the Lions, which spanned from 1958 to ‘72. What made Walker so unique was the fact he played both linebacker and place kicker for the Lions. You don’t see that every day.
Walker was a total game-wrecker on defense. He could lower the boom on his opponents and then come out and kick field goals. How cool is that?!?!
The three-time Pro Bowler was also a three-time first-team all-pro and two-time second-team all-pro.
Green Bay Packers: Sterling Sharpe
Sterling, the older brother of Hall of Famer Shannon Sharpe, would have been in Canton if a neck injury didn’t tragically end his career at age 29.
Sharpe spent seven seasons in the NFL. He was a 3-time first-team all-pro and a five-time Pro Bowler. He led the NFL in catches three times, in receiving touchdowns twice and in receiving yards for the 1992 season.
Houston Texans: Mario Williams
Is it weird putting a former first overall pick on here? It shouldn’t be.
For one, the Texans were irrelevant during Williams’ first five NFL seasons. JJ Watt’s arrival in 2011 changed everything, but the likes of Arian Foster and Andre Johnson also overshadowed Williams’ greatness in Houston.
The number 1 pick of the 2006 NFL Draft left for the Bills in 2012 free agency. He spent four years there before playing one year for Miami in 2016. Williams, a four-time Pro Bowler, retired with 97.5 sacks, 21 pass defenses and 16 forced fumbles.
Indianapolis Colts: Bobby Boyd
Boyd was a member of the powerhouse Colts teams from the 60s that were led by quarterback Johnny Unitas. Playing with so many other stars, coupled with the fact Boyd only played nine seasons, were obviously factors in the whole “forgotten superstar” thing.
Another notable Hall of Fame snub, Boyd was a star corner who racked up 57 interceptions while earning five All-Pro nods. He led the Colts to the 1968 NFL Championship and was named to the ‘60s All-Decade Team, and yet the man still isn’t in Canton.
Jacksonville Jaguars: Jimmy Smith
Smith won a Super Bowl ring with the Cowboys in 1992 but was seldom-used. After missing the entire 1993 season, he joined the expansion Jaguars franchise in 1995.
Smith and quarterback Mark Brunnell quickly emerged as one of the game’s elite offensive duos. Smith helped Jacksonville to AFC title game appearances in the 1996 and ‘99 seasons, racking up seven straight 1,000-yard campaigns from 1996 to 2002.
Smith retired with 862 career receptions for 12,287 yards and 67 touchdowns. We suppose playing in a small market didn’t help matters, which led to him getting low recognition during an otherwise very stellar career.
Kansas City Chiefs: Neil Smith
Before joining the rival Broncos, where he won back-to-back Super Bowls, Smith was a force on the Chiefs’ defense. Smith and Hall of Famer Derrick Thomas formed a prolific duo on D, turning Kansas City into an AFC powerhouse during the ‘90s.
Named to the 1990s All-Decade Team, Smith had 85.5 sacks over his nine years as a Chief, earning five Pro Bowl nods with the organization.
Las Vegas Raiders: Rod Martin
Martin was a key cog of the Raiders’ squad under Hall of Fame head coach Tom Flores, winning two Super Bowl championships in the ‘80s. Playing with a bunch of Hall of Famers meant Martin never got the recognition he deserved, which is a shame.
Martin really was one of the NFL’s premier linebackers during the ‘80s, recording 56.5 sacks and 14 interceptions during his storied career.
Los Angeles Chargers: John Hadl
Many best remember Hadl for being the centerpiece of a blockbuster trade that blew up in the Packers’ faces in 1974. But when he was a Charger, Hadl was one of the game’s elite pocket passers.
Hadl helped the Chargers to a blowout win over the Patriots in the 1963 AFL Championship Game — the franchise’s lone title to date. Hadl was a four-time AFL All-Star and two-time Pro Bowler who led the AFL in passing yards twice.
Los Angeles Rams: Roman Gabriel
Gabriel enjoyed success with both the Rams and Eagles. He spent most of his career in LA, winning the 1969 MVP award after throwing for 2,549 yards and 24 TDs — both of which were very impressive numbers in those days.
The four-time Pro Bowler and two-time NFL passing touchdowns leader retired with 29,444 passing yards and 201 touchdowns. Again — incredible numbers in that defense-dominated era of football.
Miami Dolphins: Mark Clayton
Clayton and the other Mark, Mark Duper, were Dan Marino’s go-to-targets during their storied run together in South Beach. But Clayton, a five-time Pro Bowler and two-time receiving touchdowns leader, was ever-so-slightly the superior wideout.
Yet, like duper, many seem to forget just how dominant Clayton was. This model of consistency spent 10 years as a Dolphin, recording 550 receptions for 8,643 yards and 81 touchdowns.
Minnesota Vikings: Kevin Williams
Williams was a beast on the Vikings’ defensive line for 11 seasons from 2003 to 2011.
The star defensive tackle out of Oklahoma State was a five-time First-Team All-Pro and a member of the 2000s All-Decade Team, having racked up 60 sacks, 68 pass defenses and eight forced fumbles during his time in Minny.
New England Patriots: Stanley Morgan
Morgan is the Patriots’ all-time leader in receiving yards with 10,352, and only Rob Gronkowski has more receiving touchdowns.
The four-time Pro Bowler recorded a ridiculous 19.4 yards per catch as a Patriot, putting up consistently great numbers despite never having an elite QB throwing him the football.
New Orleans Saints: Marques Colston
Colston spent his entire 10-year career in The Big Easy, arriving with Sean Payton and Drew Brees in 2006. Colston would be the longest-tenured weapon for Brees, as the two powered New Orleans to five playoff appearances and of course a Super Bowl 44 championship.
Incredibly, Colston was never named to a Pro Bowl despite six seasons with 1,000-yards receiving, as well as being the franchise leader in every major receiving category by a country mile.
New York Giants: Amani Toomer
Once Plaxico Burress arrived in the Meadowlands, Toomer had to accept a lesser role with the Giants. Thus, Toomer’s numbers and recognition dropped noticeably over his final years.
Like Colston, Toomer is the Giants’ all-time receiving leader in every major category — yet he didn’t earn a single Pro Bowl selection. Also like Colston, he played a big role in helping his team win a championship – leading the Giants to a stunning upset over the previously undefeated Patriots in Super Bowl 42.
New York Jets: Mo Lewis
Many only know the name “Mo Lewis” because of his hit on Drew Bledsoe in a 2001 game which caused an injury and forced the Patriots to turn to Tom Brady. In other words, Lewis is the guy who helped kick-start the Patriots’ dynasty.
But folks, this guy was a big-time player as well. The three-time Pro Bowl linebacker did it all, recording 52.5 sacks, 21 pass defenses, 14 interceptions and 26 forced fumbles.
Philadelphia Eagles: Troy Vincent
If his name is familiar right now, it’s because Vincent is employed as the NFL’s executive VP of football operations. But some time ago, this guy was also a beast of a football player.
Vincent had his best years in Philly, earning five straight Pro Bowl nods from 1999 to 2003. He co-led the NFL in interceptions in 1999 with seven. As an Eagle, Vincent had 28 interceptions and 91 pass defenses.
Pittsburgh Steelers: L.C. Greenwood
Hard to comprehend Greenwood being kept out of Canton this long. Not his fault the Steelers’ ‘70s dynasty was loaded with Hall of Famers.
Greenwood was a member of all four Steelers’ Super Bowl championship teams in the Steel Curtain era. He was only a six-time Pro Bowler and a 1970s All-Decade team selection with 78 career sacks!
San Francisco 49ers: Roger Craig
A backbone of the 49ers’ dynasty, Craig helped them to three Super Bowl championships in the ‘80s. This 1980s All-Decade selection couldn’t capture the spotlight from Joe Montana and Jerry Rice, but Craig’s contributions to the 49ers dynasty can’t be ignored.
The four-time Pro Bowler is third all-time among 49ers in both rushing touchdowns and rushing yards.
Oh, and he’s just one of three players to record 1,000-yards rushing and receiving in the SAME SEASON — along with Marshall Faulk and Christian McCaffrey.
Seattle Seahawks: Curt Warner
Not to be confused with Hall of Fame QB Kurt Warner, the other Curt Warner made a name for himself on the gridiron as well. He was the No. 3 pick of the legendary 1983 draft, behind Hall of Famers John Elway and Eric Dickerson.
A four-time 1,000-yard rusher, Warner won 1983 and ‘86 AFC offensive player of the year honors and earned three Pro Bowl and just as many second-team all-pro nods. Warner also helped the Seahawks to a surprise conference championship game appearance in 1983, where they fell to the Raiders.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: Keyshawn Johnson
Johnson and the Tampa offense was always overlooked because of that star-studded defense that propelled the Bucs to a Super Bowl 37 championship. But Johnson’s superb four-year run in Tampa and his contributions during their championship season shouldn’t be overlooked, either. In just four years as a Buc, he had 298 receptions for 3,828 yards and 17 touchdowns.
Tennessee Titans: Derrick Mason
Mason, Steve McNair and Eddie George were a prolific offensive trio that helped the Titans to a Super Bowl 34 appearance. Mason crossed 1,000-yards receiving four times as a Titan, and also four times as a Raven.
Washington Commanders: Santana Moss
Moss is just one of several notable receivers who never had an elite QB throwing him the football. Nonetheless, he found ways to produce big numbers in DC.
The one-time Pro Bowler helped a struggling Washington franchise to three playoff appearances. He’s third on the franchise’s all-time receptions list with 581, and fourth in receiving yards with 7,867.
