The bloodlines run deep in professional football. Whether due to good genes, mutual competition, name recognition, or some other mitigating factor, countless families have produced multiple nfl players
That being said, many of these players don’t make it very successful in the league. At the same time, some bloodlines have also had great success on the gridiron. Everyone knows the Mannings and the Watts, but they are just two examples of very impressive football families that made a name for themselves in the league. There were several others that deserve recognition as some of the best for tying your shoes.
10 the chromarties
The Cromartie family belongs on this list due to the contributions of two extraordinarily athletic cornerbacks, Antonio and Dominque (Rogers-Cromartie). There were a host of elite receivers when the cousins entered the league (in 2006 and 2008, respectively), and they held their own against some of the best receivers in NFL history. While they may not have been among the best at their position, they displayed impressive longevity and were selected to multiple Pro Bowls.
Marcus Cromartie (another cousin) also bounced around the league as a reserve player, but did not achieve as much success as his cousins. While he didn’t do much to add to his legacy, the fact that he was good enough to play in the league is still significant. There’s also at least a slim chance that we’ll see one of Antonio’s 14 children follow in his father’s footsteps and one day join the family business.
9 the Greeks
Bob Griese is most remembered for being the Dolphins’ quarterback during their undefeated 1972 season. A dislocated ankle and broken leg sidelined him midway through the season, but he regained the starting job in the playoffs and led the ‘Phins to the finish line. He made six Pro Bowls during his 14-year career and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990.
While Brian may not have achieved as much success as his father, he still played 11 years in the league and was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2000. They became the first father-son duo to win the Super Bowl after they the young Griese won the big game with the Broncos (where he backed up John Elway) in 1998.
8 the barbers
Ronde and Tiki Barber peaked around the same time and were among the best at their respective positions during the 2000s. The latter was one of the most efficient dual threat running backs in the league, and the former was one of the most feared ball hawks in the NFL. Both played their entire careers with the team that drafted them (Tiki with the Giants and Ronde with the Buccaneers) and are fondly regarded by all fans.
Calling Tiki a late development would be an understatement, as he had his most prolific seasons during his last five years in the league. Remarkably, he decided to hang up his shoes in 2006 after posting three straight seasons with 2,000-plus yards from scrimmage. Meanwhile, Ronde played six more years and continued to rack up his Hall of Fame-worthy resume.
7 the harbaughs
While most of the brothers who become relevant in the NFL are players, John and Jim Harbaugh are best known for their work on the sidelines (although Jim also played in the league from 1987 to 2001). The two coaches made history when they became the first brothers to meet in the Super Bowl after leading their respective teams to the big game in 2012. John came out on top in one of the most entertaining Super Bowls (appropriately named Har-Bowl). ) of the previous decade.
John still coaches the Ravens and is one of the most respected coaches in the game. Meanwhile, Jim returned to the collegiate ranks after accepting the head coaching job at the University of Michigan in 2015, but NFL teams try to lure him back every offseason, and it’s only a matter of time before he accepts. an offer.
6 The Gronkowskis
Gronkowski’s accolades may not compare to other football families, but he can definitely party with the best. Gordon Gronkowski and Diane Winters had five children, and all but one made it to the NFL (and the one who didn’t play professional baseball). Dan, the first brother to enter the league after being drafted in the seventh round by the Lions in 2009, and Rob played tight end, while Chris and Glenn played fullback.
Rob, who entered the league a year after his older brother, is obviously the better known of the brothers, having gone on to become one of the best tight ends in NFL history. With that being said, Dan, Chris and Glenn managed to stick around for a few years in their own right. If there’s one thing the brothers proved, it’s that the ‘G’ in Gronkowski stands for ‘good genes.’ Rob also made it clear that the ‘ronkowski’ stands for “Run hard. Strong hands. Bad defender.”
5 the ryans
Buddy Ryan, who served as the Bears’ defensive coordinator from 1978 to 1985, helped make Chicago’s defense one of the most feared units in league history. The creator of the famous 46 defense later became the head coach of the Eagles and Cardinals, but never achieved the same success he did in the Windy City.
Buddy’s time in Arizona may have been short-lived, but it gave his two sons, Rex and Rob, their first NFL coaching experience, as the brothers were hired as defensive assistant coaches on the staff. They returned to the collegiate ranks after Buddy was fired, but then returned to the pros and (like their father) became two of the most colorful (and outspoken) coaches of the previous two decades.
Rob continues to coach and spent the 2022 season as the Raiders’ primary defensive assistant. Meanwhile, Rex, who once famously got a tattoo of his starting quarterback Mark Sanchez, currently works as an analyst for ESPN, where he’s just as boisterous as he was during his time on the sidelines.
4 the long ones
Few defensive linemen in league history could take over a game like Howie Long, who was selected to eight Pro Bowls and named to the 1980s All-Decade Team. The tough defensive end epitomized what it meant to put on his Silver and the Black, as their toughness and intensity fit perfectly with the culture that Al Davis built within the Raiders organization.
The 2000 Hall of Famer left some big shoes to fill, but that didn’t stop his two sons, Chris and Kyle, from trying to do just that, and they did pretty well. Chris, who was the second overall pick in 2008, followed in Howie’s footsteps as a defensive end, while Kyle, a first-round pick five years later, made a living on the offensive side of the ball at guard.
Chris had 70 sacks (and won two Super Bowls) during his impressive 11-year career, and Kyle was a Pro Bowl selection in each of his first three seasons. While neither player did enough to cement their legacy in Canton, both enjoyed sustained success and were among the best at their position at various points in their careers.
3 the watts
It’s hard to describe how amazing the Watt brothers are. JJ is one of only three players (along with Lawrence Taylor and Aaron Donald) to win the Defensive Player of the Year award three times and is one of the best defensive linemen in league history. While most younger siblings would have a hard time escaping their older brother’s shadow under such circumstances, TJ has shown that he’s more than up to the task.
The 28-year-old tied Michael Strahan’s single-season sack record of 22.5 tackles a year ago and is one of the league’s most dominant forces off the rim. He’s currently 37 sacks behind his older brother, and health is the only thing standing in his way of surpassing JJ before he turns 30. While those two grab all the headlines, his other brother Derek, who plays with TJ in Pittsburgh, is also one of the best fullbacks in the league.
2 the mannings
It would be impossible to write NFL history without including the Mannings. Peyton holds a host of NFL records and is one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. Eli might not have the same respect as his older brother, but there was arguably no other quarterback you wanted with a big game on the line, as he was one of the most important competitors in NFL history. The consummate underdog earned a reputation as a patriot killer, as he defeated New England in both of his Super Bowl appearances, the first of which prevented a perfect 18-0 season.
It’s hard to think of the NFL without the Manning brothers, but it’s fair to wonder if that would have been true if their father Archie hadn’t made a name for himself with the Saints in the ’70s. a career winning percentage of 26.3%), enjoyed a 14-year career, and was inducted into the Saints Ring of Honor.
Considering his success in the league, it may come as a surprise to learn that the next family member who seems destined to join the family business was brought into the world (sort of) by his brother Cooper, as his son Arch (who will play his college ball at Texas) was one of the top high school recruits in the nation this year. Considering the history, he will surely become the number one pick in 2027.
one the matthews
The Matthews are often referred to as the “First Family” of the NFL, and it’s pretty easy to see why, as they’re one of five third-generation NFL families. They have sent seven players to the league and have combined for a whopping 25 Pro Bowl and 11 All-Pro selections.
Clay Sr. was the patriarch of the Matthews clan, as he made his NFL debut in 1949. He put his career on hold to fight in the Korean War and played only four seasons. However, his two sons, Clay Jr. and Bruce, each played for 19 years and achieved great success in the league. The latter is the only member of the family to be inducted into the Hall of Fame, but the former has a resume that more than deserves recognition, as he had the third most tackles (unofficially) in baseball history. league.
Both brothers had several children who made it into the league, as Clay Jr.’s sons Casey and Clay III made a living as linebackers while Bruce’s sons Kevin and Jake followed in their father’s footsteps in offensive trenches. Casey and Kevin had short-lived careers, but Jake and Clay, two first-round picks, played well enough to add to the family’s Pro Bowl tally (the latter also added two All-Pro nods).