Top 5 players to wear #1 jersey in NFL history
It is possibly the greatest number in football.
The #1 jersey has many connections with professionals entering the NFL. Given to prospects selected in the opening round of the draft, many incredible players have wanted to use it to showcase that they are the No. 1 player by wearing the number on their uniform.
Given the dilemma of wanting to match ego with ability, there haven’t been too many to wear and conquer #1 jersey. Yet, success has been found over the years.
In this list, we look at players who have excelled in the NFL whilst wearing the #1 jersey. So with that in mind, superstars such as Michael Vick (who wore #1 while with the New York Jets) and Randall Cunningham (who wore the number with the Ravens), have not been included.
Here are our top five players of all-time to wear the #1 shirt.
Honourable mentions: Ja’Marr Chase, Kyler Murray
5. Jason Elam
The first of two kickers on this list, Denver Broncos icon Jason Elam helped his team to two Super Bowl victories during s 14-year stint with the franchise.
The three-time Pro Bowler was one of the most prolific kickers of his era, ending his career with an impressive 80.7% percent FG made, and a 99.4% PAT rate. With a 63-Yard-long field goal against the Jacksonville Jaguars in 1998, Elam holds the joint third longest kick in NFL history and will go down as one of the greatest players to kick the pigskin in the league’s history.
4. Jalen Hurts
The journey of former backup quarterback Jalen Hurts has been a rollercoaster ride. After starting out wearing the #2 jersey, Hurts quickly changed to the #1 when he became a starter for the Philadelphia Eagles. And with the change came a dramatic transformation of his ability into one of the more explosive plays in the NFL.
Hurts balled out in 2022, leading his team to a Super Bowl in just his second year as a starter. After narrowly missing out on the MVP award in 2022, Hurts will be desperate to continue his incredible form in 2023. He may have only been in the NFL for a short time, but Hurts is more than deserving of a place on this list.
3. Gary Anderson
One of the greatest kickers in NFL history, Gary Anderson played in the league for an astonishing 23 years. He finished having made 80% of his field goals and with an extra point conversion rate greater than 99%.
Throughout his career, Anderson was named to the 1980s and 1990s Hall-of-Fame teams, whilst also picking up four Pro Bowl appearances and one All-Pro selection.
And for his troubles, the Steelers retired Anderson’s No. 1 jersey and he still leads the team in scoring. Now that is a clear sign-off of an all-time great player to wear the number.
2. Warren Moon
Moon had a difficult journey to stardom in the NFL. But once he arrived on the stage, Moon went on to become an exceptional quarterback.
After going undrafted and taking the Canadian Football League by storm during the early-1980s, Moon went on to become a legend for the Houston Oilers (now the Tennessee Titans), throwing for almost 34,000 years and 291 touchdowns during his time in Houston.
Eight consecutive seasons as a Pro Bowler between 1988 and 1995 is an exceptional achievement, and he more than deserves his place in the NFL Hall of Fame.
He may have only started his NFL career at the age of 28, yet the 1990 Offensive Player of the Year will go down as one of the greatest to wear the #1 jersey.
1. Cam Newton
Maybe this is a controversial choice given his demise towards the backend of his NFL career. But for many, Cam Newton is the first player you think of who wears the #1 jersey in the league’s history.
A Panthers legend, Newton is Carolina’s all-time passing leader and holds the NFL record for most rushing touchdowns by a quarterback (58) all-time, while taking the franchise to a debut Super Bowl appearance at the conclusion of the 2015 season.
Despite missing out on the big prize with the Panthers that year, Newton was certainly one for accolades throughout his career. He won the MVP award in 2015, 2011 Offensive Rookie of the Year, 2015 Offensive Player of the Year and 2015 Bert Bell Award winner, while also picking up an All-Pro selection and three Pro Bowl teams. He was selected #1 overall in the 2011 NFL Draft, fitting for a #1 type of player.
Yes, his final stints with the Patriots and a return to Carolina were ill-founded. But take nothing away, Cam Newton has been one of the most electric players of the modern era.
