The 10 Greatest NFL Players From the State of Kansas

Kansas is a state better known for its basketball and its tornadoes than its football. So not many of the greatest NFL players came from there, right?

Not so fast. As is most often with these lists, people will be surprised by how many notable names who’ve had success in pro football came from this state. Many of them in the running for the best of all-time at their respective positions. And they didn’t get their wish granted from Oz to pull it off either (bad jokes….we got ’em!). In all seriousness, here is a rundown of the biggest names who’ve emerged from from those stomping grounds.

Honorable Mentions:

Terence Newman – There is something to be said for a cornerback who’s been able to play 14 seasons in the NFL. Newman has done that to a large degree of success, going to two Pro Bowls and grabbing 41 career interceptions. He’s preparing for his 15th season at age 39. If he can somehow get that elusive ring he’s sought for years, he might crack the list.

Jordy Nelson – A ring is something Jordy Nelson already has. His job is building his case for the Hall of Fame in the stat column now. It’s a shock he’s only been to one Pro Bowl because he’s had two other seasons that should’ve gotten him in. At age 32 his window may be closing but there is still time for him to crack that prestigious 10,000-yard mark.

Brian Moorman – If one wants to be a great punter, then it helps having to punt a lot. That’s pretty much what happened with Moorman during his 13 years with the Buffalo Bills. In total he booted the ball 973 times for an average of 43.8 yards. That’s not too bad. Only two of his kicks were ever blocked and he reached two Pro Bowls over that span.