Who Was The Oldest Player In The NFL?
The oldest player in the NFL is a title that has been held by many different players over the years. Here is a look at who currently holds the title and who has held it in the past.
George Blanda
George Blanda was the oldest player in the National Football League (NFL) for 26 years, until he was eclipsed by Morten Andersen in 2007. Blanda played as a quarterback and placekicker for 26 seasons with the Chicago Bears, Houston Oilers, Oakland Raiders, and Kansas City Chiefs. He retired from professional football at the age of 48, having played in a then-record 340 games. During his record-setting career, Blanda passed for over 2,000 yards and ran for nine touchdowns.
Morten Andersen
Morten Andersen (born August 12, 1960) is a former American football player who spent the majority of his career with the Atlanta Falcons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Michigan State University before joining the NFL in 1982. After a brief stint with the New Orleans Saints, he was traded to the Atlanta Falcons in 1985 and became one of the league’s most reliable kickers over the next two decades. He retired as a member of the Atlanta Falcons in 2007 after spending five seasons with the team, during which time he became the NFL’s all-time leading scorer. He held this distinction until 2018, when Adam Vinatieri surpassed his total of 2,544 points.
Gary Anderson
Gary Anderson (born February 5, 1959) is a former American football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for nine seasons. He played college football for the University of Pittsburgh and was selected in the fourth round of the 1981 NFL Draft by the New York Jets. Anderson also played for the Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers.
Jerome Bettis
At 43 years old, Jerome Bettis is the oldest player in NFL history. He played his final season with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2006. Bettis was a six-time Pro Bowl selection and was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1993. He retired as the fifth leading rusher in NFL history.
Matt Birk
At 41 years old, Matt Birk was the oldest player in the NFL when he retired in 2013. A center who played for both the Minnesota Vikings and the Baltimore Ravens, Birk was a six-time Pro Bowler and a two-time All-Pro. He won a Super Bowl with the Ravens in 2013.
