The 15 Most Beloved Underdogs in NFL History

Published: April 2, 2025
Author: Richard Foster
Category: Sports

Photo by Rob Corder

The NFL is built on legends, but not all of them were destined for greatness from the start. Some players had to grind their way into the league, overcome injuries, or prove doubters wrong year after year. And those are the guys we love the most—the underdogs who defied the odds and won over fans everywhere.

Let’s count down the 15 most beloved underdogs in NFL history—the players who never gave up and made football a whole lot more fun in the process.

15. Gardner Minshew

Minshew Mania took over the NFL for a reason. A late-round pick with a killer mustache and a throwback vibe, Minshew played with swagger and heart, making the Jaguars (yes, the Jaguars!) must-watch TV for a brief, glorious moment.

14. Doug Baldwin

Undrafted out of Stanford, Baldwin became Russell Wilson’s go-to guy and one of the most reliable receivers in the league. He played with a chip on his shoulder his entire career, and it showed.

13. James Harrison

Harrison went undrafted, got cut multiple times, and even played in NFL Europe before finally breaking through with the Steelers. He then became one of the scariest defenders in the league and had one of the greatest Super Bowl plays ever—a 100-yard pick-six in Super Bowl XLIII.

12. Julian Edelman

A college quarterback turned seventh-round draft pick, Edelman became the guy in the clutch for the Patriots. His Super Bowl heroics (especially that insane catch against the Falcons) made him a legend.

11. Kurt Warner

From bagging groceries to winning Super Bowls—Kurt Warner’s story is straight out of a movie. Actually, it became a movie. He went from undrafted QB to Hall of Famer, proving that dreams really do come true.

10. Terrell Davis

A sixth-round pick who started his career as a special teamer, Davis became the Broncos’ workhorse and won two Super Bowls, earning league MVP honors in 1998. He made Denver’s first-ever championships possible.

9. Fred Jackson

Fred Jackson took the long road to the NFL—playing in the Indoor Football League and NFL Europe before finally getting a shot with the Bills. He became a fan favorite in Buffalo, running with heart every single play.

8. Tony Romo

An undrafted QB from Eastern Illinois, Romo worked his way into Cowboys lore, becoming one of the most beloved quarterbacks in team history. He never won a Super Bowl, but his grit and playmaking earned him huge respect.

7. Arian Foster

Undrafted out of Tennessee, Foster went from practice squad longshot to leading the NFL in rushing. His smooth running style and underdog mentality made him a star in Houston.

6. Rocky Bleier

Bleier was drafted, went to war, got shot in the leg, and was told he’d never play football again. He ignored that, came back, and helped the Steelers win four Super Bowls. Absolute legend.

5. Darren Sproles

At 5’6″, Sproles was told he was too small to succeed in the NFL. Instead, he became one of the most electric playmakers ever, dominating as a returner and versatile offensive weapon.

4. Geno Smith

For years, Geno was written off as a backup at best. But then, at age 32, he had a career renaissance with the Seahawks, winning Comeback Player of the Year and proving everyone wrong. “They wrote me off, I ain’t write back though.” Iconic.

3. Joe Burrow

Yes, Joe Cool is a superstar now, but don’t forget—he was once a backup at Ohio State and had to transfer just to get a shot. He went from nearly forgotten to the most confident underdog in history, leading the Bengals to a Super Bowl.

2. Brock Purdy

“Mr. Irrelevant” was supposed to be a third-stringer, not a franchise QB. But Purdy shocked the world, leading the 49ers deep into the playoffs as a rookie and proving draft status doesn’t mean a thing.

1. Rudy Ruettiger

Okay, so Rudy didn’t play in the NFL, but come on—you have to put him at No. 1. The guy inspired an all-time classic sports movie and is the ultimate underdog story. His moment in Rudy still gets fans emotional to this day.