Can You Name the NFL Legend If We Give You the Teams They’ve Played On?

SPORTS

By: Gavin Thagard

7 Min Quiz

Image: Wiki Commons by Erik Drost

About This Quiz

Legends are not born but raised on the gridiron through hard work, dedication and a will to be the best at what they do. Whether it's setting records or winning championships, every player who becomes a legend has put in the time to make sure their names go down in the history books. They have left stamps on the NFL that cannot be removed.

One of the easiest ways to identify these legends is by reflecting on the teams they starred for. Some of these players were members of the dominant defenses that defined the '70s and '80s on teams like the Steelers, Vikings and Giants. Others made a name for themselves by putting up record-breaking stats on offense year after year with teams like the Cowboys in the '90s and the Patriots after the turn of the century. 

Are you capable of determining who these legends are just by looking at the teams they played for, or will you be playing the guessing game throughout most of this quiz? These are the biggest names the game has ever produced, so the challenge will be remembering how their careers played out. 

When you're ready, get started and see if your NFL knowledge is really as well rounded as you thought.

The defensive player of the year in 1992, how familiar are you with the linebacker who recorded tackles with the Chargers, Dolphins and Patriots?

A 12-time Pro Bowler, Junior Seau was a machine when he was on the football field. The proof lies in his production, as Seau finished his career with 1,846 combined tackles, 56.5 sacks and 18 interceptions.

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In the 1981 NFC Championship Game, "The Catch" was delivered by which legendary quarterback who played for the 49ers and Chiefs?

"The Catch" in the 1981 AFC Championship Game led the San Francisco 49ers past the Dallas Cowboys as they advanced to Super Bowl XVI. In the Super Bowl, Joe Montana was named the MVP after defeating the Cincinnati Bengals 26-21 to take home his first championship.

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What's the name of this running back who went by the nickname "Sweetness" during his career-long tenure with the Bears?

The staple of the Chicago Bears' offense for years, Walter Payton had a tough outing when the Bears won Super Bowl XX. The defense for the New England Patriots was keyed in on Payton all game, holding him to 61 yards rushing and no touchdowns.

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Holding several NFL records including career receptions, are you familiar with the receiver who saw time on the field with the 49ers, Raiders and Seahawks?

Jerry Rice put on one of his greatest performances in Super Bowl XXIII against the Cincinnati Bengals. In the game, he hauled in 11 passes for a Super Bowl record 215 yards, with one of his catches going for a touchdown in the fourth quarter.

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Pick out the player who started his career with the Falcons then won three straight NFL MVPs with the Packers before going on to play for the Jets and Vikings.

Brett Favre had a rough start to his NFL career when he was drafted in the second round of the 1991 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons. Playing in just two games during his rookie season, Favre completed no passes and was intercepted twice. He was immediately traded following the season.

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Are you familiar with the Broncos quarterback who retired after winning the MVP for Super Bowl XXXIII?

Early in his career, John Elway appeared in three Super Bowls, but he was never able to lead the Denver Broncos to a victory. However, in the final two seasons of his NFL career, Elway won back-to-back championships, allowing the veteran quarterback to go out on top.

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Drafted out of Miami with the 12th pick in the 1995 NFL Draft, how well do you know the defensive tackle who starred for the Buccaneers and Raiders?

Warren Sapp made seven Pro Bowls during his NFL career, all with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He reached the height of his individual success in 1999 when he was named the NFL Defensive Player of the Year after recording 12.5 sacks and forcing four fumbles.

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Have you forgotten the quarterback who played for the Buccaneers before joining the 49ers, where he replaced another legend in Joe Montana?

Steve Young only played three full seasons during his NFL career without missing a game. Despite his sporadic availability, Young was named to seven Pro Bowls, six All-Pro teams and won two NFL MVPs.

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Have you been a big enough fan of the Giants to select the defensive end who spent his entire career with the team and was named to their Ring of Honor?

In 2001, Michael Strahan had a year for the ages, setting the NFL single-season sack record by recording 22.5 sacks. Strahan set the record on the final game of the season when he sacked fellow legend Brett Favre.

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Have you forgotten the NFL legend who won a record five NFL MVPs while playing for the Colts and Broncos?

Reaching Super Bowls with both the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos, Peyton Manning was the first quarterback to win Super Bowls with two different teams. After winning Super Bowl 50, Manning retired at the age of 39.

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This player spent his career with the Patriots, where he was the first tight end to lead the NFL in receiving touchdowns. Who is he?

The only thing that could stop Rob Gronkowski on the football field was injury, because he had the ability to out-power most defenders who guarded him. However, Gronkowski only played two full regular seasons without missing a game before retiring after only nine seasons.

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Identify the linebacker who was the second player ever drafted by the Ravens, where he spent his entire career.

Twice named NFL Defensive Player of the Year, Ray Lewis became a legend in Baltimore where he helped the Ravens win two championships. He was even named the MVP of Super Bowl XXXV after making three tackles and breaking up four passes.

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Can you name the tight end who ended his career with the Falcons but first played for the Chiefs, where he led the NFL in receptions in 2004?

Tony Gonzalez holds several records for NFL tight ends, including most receiving yards in a career and most receptions in a career. Gonzalez was able to set these records by consistently putting up at least 70 receptions a season, with several seasons where he put up over 1,000 receiving yards.

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A career-long Giants player, name the linebacker who won the NFL MVP in 1986.

Lawrence Taylor's 1986 season was one for the history books as he led the NFL in sacks with 20.5 while playing in all 16 regular season games. When he won the NFL MVP that year, he was the first defensive player unanimously selected for the award.

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Select the Hall of Fame quarterback who spent his entire career with the Dolphins but wasn't able to deliver a championship.

In only his second season in the NFL, Dan Marino was named the NFL MVP after becoming the first player to throw for over 5,000 yards in a season. The Miami Dolphins advanced to the Super Bowl that year, but they lost to the San Francisco 49ers.

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How well do you know the deep threat receiver who played only for the Lions after they drafted him with the second overall pick in 2007?

The offense for the Detroit Lions between 2007 and 2015 was basically formed around the talents of Calvin Johnson. Johnson had his best season in 2012 when he set the single-season record for receiving yards by racking up 1,964 yards through the air.

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Who is the defensive tackle who played for the Steelers when he filmed a famous Coca-Cola commercial that aired when his team won Super Bowl XIV?

Joe Greene was a member of the "Steel Curtain," a defensive line that helped the Pittsburgh Steelers win four Super Bowls between 1974 and 1979. For his contributions during that run, the Steelers retired Greene's No. 75.

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Do you remember the running back who left the Colts to join the Rams, where he became the featured back in the "Greatest Show on Turf"?

Marshall Faulk wasn't only great at running the football but could also catch passes out of the backfield. During the 1999 season, Faulk rushed for 1,381 yards and added 1,048 receiving yards to prove he was one of the most balanced backs in the league.

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The Chargers and Jets were ecstatic to have the services of which running back who holds the record for the most rushing touchdowns in a season?

The same season that LaDainian Tomlinson set the NFL single-season rushing touchdowns record, he also won the NFL MVP and NFL Offensive Player of the Year award. Aside from touchdowns, Tomlinson also led the NFL in rushing yards that season.

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Do you know the cornerback who played professional baseball when he wasn't snagging interceptions for the Falcons, 49ers, Cowboys, Redskins or Ravens?

Deion Sanders displayed his unique athleticism on both the gridiron and the baseball field, becoming the only person to ever play in a World Series and a Super Bowl. His team lost in the World Series, but Sanders did end his NFL career with two championships.

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Can you identify this wide receiver who led the league in receptions in 1994 with the Vikings but also played for the Eagles and Dolphins?

The ball stuck to Chris Carter's hands anytime a pass was thrown his way, which is why the Hall of Fame wide receiver finished his career with 1,101 receptions. Carter added 130 receiving touchdowns to signify he was one of the best receivers to ever take the field.

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Can you identify the Hall of Fame wide receiver who holds the NFL record for touchdown catches in a season while playing for the Patriots but who also played for the Vikings, Raiders, Titans and 49ers?

Randy Moss was a star from the moment he touched an NFL field in 1998, setting the NFL rookie record for touchdown catches in a season with 17. For his play in 1998, Moss was named the NFL Rookie of the Year.

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The Browns were ecstatic to have the services of which running back who led the league in rushing touchdowns five times in the '50s and '60s?

Jim Brown only played nine seasons in the NFL, but he led the league in rushing yards eight of those nine seasons. His greatest season came in 1963 when he rushed for 1,863 yards during a season where only 14 games were played.

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Name this defensive back who won the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year award in 1998 with the Raiders, the only team he played for besides the Packers.

In 1997, Charles Woodson became the only defensive player to ever win the Heisman Trophy while playing at the University of Michigan. He is also the last player who's not a running back or quarterback to win the award.

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Do you know the defensive back who led the league in interceptions for the 49ers and Raiders before also playing for the Jets?

After being drafted with the eighth overall pick in 1981, Ronnie Lott went on to win four Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers. Always a threat in the defensive secondary, Lott finished his career with 63 interceptions.

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Are you familiar with the running back who lost four straight Super Bowls with the Bills before finishing his career with the Dolphins?

Thurman Thomas helped the Buffalo Bills revolutionize the NFL with their no-huddle offense in the late '80s and early '90s. The offense, which is common in the NFL today, was groundbreaking at the time because most teams only used the no-huddle approach in the fourth quarter when they were down.

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No player has rushed for more yards in the NFL than which running back who played for the Cowboys and Cardinals?

Despite a stellar college career where he was a Heisman Trophy finalist in 1989, Emmitt Smith was viewed as undersized coming into the 1990 NFL Draft. The Dallas Cowboys were happy to snag him with the 17th overall pick, and he became a staple of their success in the '90s.

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Though he also played for the Rams, this NFL legend is known for delivering the Jets their only Super Bowl. Who is he?

After promising New York City a championship, Joe Namath not only won Super Bowl III with the New York Jets but was also named the MVP of the game. During the matchup with the Baltimore Colts, who were heavily favored, Namath completed 17 passes for 206 yards.

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Select the linebacker who is third on the all-time sack list after playing for the Rams, Steelers, Panthers and 49ers.

Despite a celebrated individual career, Kevin Greene was never able to win a championship as a player. However, after taking over as the outside linebackers coach for the Green Bay Packers in 2009, he was part of the team when they won Super Bowl XLV.

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Wearing No. 74, this lineman played every position on the offensive line for the Oilers and Titans. Who is he?

After Bruce Matthews made his first Pro Bowl in 1988, he was elected to the game 14 straight times until he retired in 2001. His 14 selections to the Pro Bowl are tied for the most all-time by any player.

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What's the name of the offensive tackle who spent his entire career with the Ravens after they drafted him with their first-ever pick in 1996?

Jonathan Ogden was a great selection for the Baltimore Ravens considering he made the Pro Bowl every season he was in the NFL besides his rookie year. He was also named to nine All-Pro teams and won Super Bowl XXXV.

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Spending his entire career with the Packers, can you identify the quarterback who won Super Bowl I?

Winning back-to-back titles, Bart Starr was named the MVP of Super Bowl I and II. He had the better game in Super Bowl I when he threw for 250 yards and two touchdowns, finishing the game with a 116.2 passer rating.

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Will you be able to name the wide receiver who holds the record for the most receptions in a season, which he set with the Colts, the team he spent his entire career with?

Marvin Harrison could catch a football lined with grease, which is why he twice led the NFL in receptions for a season. He finished his career with 1,102 receptions and 14,580 yards while also adding in 128 receiving touchdowns.

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This safety who played for the Eagles and Broncos had his No. 20 retired by the Eagles. Who is he?

After retiring, Brian Dawkins returned to the Philadelphia Eagles in 2016 as the executive of football operations for player development. In this position, he helped the Eagles win the first Super Bowl in franchise history when they defeated the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LII.

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The first defensive player to win the NFL MVP, which defensive tackle played for the Vikings and Bears?

Alan Page was the leader of a defensive line for the Minnesota Vikings who were known as the "Purple People Eaters." Wearing their purple uniforms, Page and his fellow linemen put immense pressure on opposing quarterbacks, often recording sacks as their purple jerseys smothered the opposition.

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