Saluting Some of the Funniest NFL Players of All-Time

These days, there is a strong argument to suggest that many professional athletes aren’t as entertaining off the field as they used to be. The rise of social media has resulted in many players now being afraid of going viral for the wrong reasons, while their media training has reached new levels. While there might be a distinct lack of characters in the modern environment, competitions like the NFL used to have some athletes who thrived on making people laugh.

Throughout the history of the sport, American football audiences have been treated to some comical professionals. Even away from the players themselves, fans are also producing top NFL podcasts with plenty of comical value, there are some hilarious fantasy football team names, and there are always funny football-related insults being shared between rival supporters. There aren’t many football players to laugh at these days, though, but there were plenty in the past.

So, below is a brief look at some of the funniest NFL players of all-time, many of which were responsible for witty remarks and clever jokes. Without these amusing heroes, the sport certainly wouldn’t be as fun.

JJ Watt

Now he’s retired and focusing on his various ventures away from the sport, such as owning an English soccer club, JJ Watt could be forgiven for taking a break from the spotlight at times. However, the former Houston Texans star clearly loves his fans and giving something back to them. A lot of the time it’s through comedy, as Watt has always had an affable nature and a funny streak. When he was a player, the highly skilled defensive end was generally adored by professionals and fans alike, with his comedic timing and humorous online posts always providing plenty of entertainment.

Marshawn Lynch

A former running back who played for 12 seasons in the NFL, Marshawn Lynch is the man behind the infamous “I’m just here so I won’t get fined” response during a press conference. A moment NFL fans will never forget, Lynch clearly loved to make people chuckle alongside turning it on while playing. His talent was undisputed, but the fact Marshawn Lynch added to it by providing plenty of comedy made him even more of a popular figure in the NFL arena.

Peyton Manning

One of football’s biggest legends, Peyton Manning did pretty much everything he set out to achieve in the sport. While his on-field performances were mightily impressive and he was responsible for so many game-changing moments, Manning also had a way with words. Known for having quick retorts and perfect comedic timing when being spoken to on camera, Peyton Manning also starred in a number of amusing advertisements. Additionally, the NFL hero also caused plenty of laughter during his slots on Saturday Night Live, while he was also known to be an infectious character among his teammates given his love of comedy. A legend in more ways than one, there will only ever be one Peyton Manning.

Rob Gronkowski

Nicknamed as “Gronk”, Rob Gronkowski was generally adored by fans when he turned out for teams like the New England Patriots and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Not only was Gronkowski a talented player in his own right, but fans took to him even more given his likeable nature off the field. He loved giving funny replies to interviewers and his all-round jovial nature endeared him to fans even further. A professional athlete who most definitely didn’t take himself too seriously, Rob Gronkowski is easily one of the funniest NFL players we’ve seen.