The 10 Greatest NFL Players From the State of Kansas

Dec 24, 2016; Green Bay, WI, USA; Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson (87) spikes the ball in celebration after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at Lambeau Field. Mandatory Credit: Jim Matthews/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin via USA TODAY Sports /

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#8: Billy Kilmer

If there was one thing to be said about Billy Kilmer is that there was perhaps no quarterback more resilient in NFL history. The guy endured the early years of the New Orleans Saints when they were at their worst. He barely played at all his first four years. Then when he got to Washington, he had to battle a future Hall of Famer in Sonny Jurgensen to get the starting job. For him to power through all that and not only get the job, but go to a Pro Bowl and a Super Bowl?

That’s a great story. Kilmer was never the most talented player in the world. His throwing motion and passes looked ugly at times. Nevertheless they got to where they needed to go. In many ways Kilmer exemplified the state of Kansas. Unassuming, unremarkable and uninteresting but incredibly tough and reliable. He posted a winning record in his career seven times. So the guy must’ve been doing something right.

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