Best player in the NFL? It’s a tough choice
You wanted to know
Amy Mueller’s fourth-graders at the Herbert Hoover Math and Science Academy in Schaumburg asked, “Who is the best football player in the NFL?”
Finding a place on the roster of a pro football team means you’re tops when it comes to athletic ability.
Only the fastest runners, the strongest and most accurate throwers, and the most massive defensive players are invited to try on one of the nation’s 32 professional football teams’ jerseys.
Picking the best player isn’t easy; the playing field is huge, with 1,664 players in the National Football League. Most experts prefer to pick the best based on which position the athletes play.
ESPN.com’s pick for this year for best offensive player is Aaron Rodgers, quarterback for the Green Bay Packers. Best defensive player title went to J.J. Watt, Houston Texans.
CBS Sports Radio ranked Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints, as top quarterback. The No. 1 running back choice is Ray Rice from defending Super Bowl champs Baltimore Ravens.
The National Football League asked the players each year to rank the top 100. Their 2013 top pick? Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings running back.
As for which team is the best, Las Vegas experts are betting on the San Francisco 49rs.
So who is the best overall pro football player? Daily Herald sports writers Barry Rozner and Joe Aguilar named their picks.
Rozner said, “It’s hard to pick just one player as the best in the NFL, but if I were forced to choose, I would take Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
“Still, I wouldn’t blame anyone for picking Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson, Denver’s Peyton Manning, New England’s Tom Brady or Detroit’s Calvin Johnson. They’re all tremendous football players.”
Aguilar narrowed the pick to one.
“Vikings running back Adrian Peterson is the NFL’s reigning MVP, but I’d say the best player in the league has to be the ageless wonder Peyton Manning. His 7-TD performance on opening night proved he’s still got it. Even at the ripe age of 37, and two years removed from career-threatening neck surgery, the Broncos QB continues to amaze and fascinate football fans.”
Want to learn more about the sport? The NFL Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, has selected nearly 300 athletes as the top players of all time. The facility includes exhibits and archives with a research center. Next door is Fawcett Stadium, the site of the annual Hall of Fame game and local college and high school football games.
Access the NFL Hall of Fame online for exhibits, video and web conferences featuring Hall of Fame players and a character education program. See www.profootballhof.com for more information.
Check it out
The Roselle Public Library District suggest these titles on NFL players and pro football:
Ÿ Drew Brees: Football Superstar by Mike Artell
Ÿ The American Football Conference, a four book set: AFC East by K.C. Kelley,
Ÿ AFC North by Jim Gigliotti
Ÿ AFC South by Jim Gigliotti
Ÿ AFC West by K.C. Kelley
Ÿ NFL: Superstars by Jim Gigliotti