All-Time Player Rankings
The definitive searchable database of the greatest Black professional athletes across all sports
These rankings represent editorial judgment based on career honors, Hall of Fame status, and peak performance. NFL and CFL lists are kept separate. Baseball honors both Negro Leagues and MLB legends — since 2024, MLB officially counts Negro Leagues statistics as major league records.
Showing 93 of 93 players
Quarterback
5 playersPatrick Mahomes
Chiefs · NFL
Warren Moon
Oilers · NFL
Lamar Jackson
Ravens · NFL
Russell Wilson
Seahawks · NFL
Steve McNair
Oilers/Titans · NFL
Running Back
8 playersJim Brown
Browns · NFL
Walter Payton
Bears · NFL
Barry Sanders
Lions · NFL
Emmitt Smith
Cowboys · NFL
Eric Dickerson
Rams/Colts · NFL
LaDainian Tomlinson
Chargers · NFL
Gale Sayers
Bears · NFL
Marshall Faulk
Colts/Rams · NFL
Fullback
3 playersMarion Motley
Browns · NFL
Lorenzo Neal
Chargers · NFL
Tony Richardson
Chiefs · NFL
Wide Receiver
10 playersJerry Rice
49ers · NFL
Randy Moss
Vikings/Patriots · NFL
Terrell Owens
49ers/Eagles · NFL
Larry Fitzgerald
Cardinals · NFL
Calvin Johnson
Lions · NFL
Marvin Harrison
Colts · NFL
Tim Brown
Raiders · NFL
Cris Carter
Vikings · NFL
Michael Irvin
Cowboys · NFL
Paul Warfield
Browns/Dolphins · NFL
Tight End
5 playersTony Gonzalez
Chiefs/Falcons · NFL
Shannon Sharpe
Broncos · NFL
Antonio Gates
Chargers · NFL
Kellen Winslow
Chargers · NFL
John Mackey
Colts · NFL
Left Tackle
5 playersJonathan Ogden
Ravens · NFL
Walter Jones
Seahawks · NFL
Willie Roaf
Saints/Chiefs · NFL
Orlando Pace
Rams · NFL
Art Shell
Raiders · NFL
Guard
4 playersLarry Allen
Cowboys · NFL
Gene Upshaw
Raiders · NFL
Randall McDaniel
Vikings · NFL
Will Shields
Chiefs · NFL
Center
1 playersDwight Stephenson
Dolphins · NFL
Right Tackle
2 playersRayfield Wright
Cowboys · NFL
Willie Anderson
Bengals · NFL
Defensive End
8 playersReggie White
Eagles/Packers · NFL
Bruce Smith
Bills · NFL
Deacon Jones
Rams · NFL
Michael Strahan
Giants · NFL
Julius Peppers
Panthers/Bears · NFL
Jason Taylor
Dolphins · NFL
Richard Dent
Bears · NFL
Myles Garrett
Browns · NFL
Defensive Tackle
8 playersAaron Donald
Rams · NFL
Joe Greene
Steelers · NFL
Alan Page
Vikings · NFL
Warren Sapp
Buccaneers · NFL
John Randle
Vikings · NFL
Cortez Kennedy
Seahawks · NFL
Buck Buchanan
Chiefs · NFL
Ndamukong Suh
Lions · NFL
Outside Linebacker
8 playersLawrence Taylor
Giants · NFL
Derrick Thomas
Chiefs · NFL
Derrick Brooks
Buccaneers · NFL
DeMarcus Ware
Cowboys · NFL
Von Miller
Broncos · NFL
Bobby Bell
Chiefs · NFL
Rickey Jackson
Saints · NFL
Andre Tippett
Patriots · NFL
Middle Linebacker
6 playersRay Lewis
Ravens · NFL
Mike Singletary
Bears · NFL
Willie Lanier
Chiefs · NFL
Patrick Willis
49ers · NFL
Bobby Wagner
Seahawks · NFL
Sam Mills
Saints/Panthers · NFL
Cornerback
10 playersDeion Sanders
Falcons/49ers/Cowboys · NFL
Rod Woodson
Steelers · NFL
Dick Night Train Lane
Rams/Cardinals/Lions · NFL
Mel Blount
Steelers · NFL
Champ Bailey
Washington/Broncos · NFL
Darrell Green
Washington · NFL
Charles Woodson
Raiders/Packers · NFL
Mike Haynes
Patriots/Raiders · NFL
Herb Adderley
Packers · NFL
Darrelle Revis
Jets · NFL
Free Safety
5 playersEd Reed
Ravens · NFL
Ronnie Lott
49ers · NFL
Emlen Tunnell
Giants · NFL
Brian Dawkins
Eagles · NFL
Earl Thomas
Seahawks · NFL
Strong Safety
5 playersKen Houston
Oilers/Washington · NFL
Steve Atwater
Broncos · NFL
Kenny Easley
Seahawks · NFL
LeRoy Butler
Packers · NFL
Darren Woodson
Cowboys · NFL