Can You Name All of These NFL Players From Texas?

SPORTS

By: J.P. Naomi

7 Min Quiz

Image: Wiki Commons by Kelly Bailey

About This Quiz

Howdy, y'all! It's time to trade those boots for some cleats to see just how well you know these NFL players from Texas. Are you fixin' to ace this quiz, or will you be all hat and no cattle? It's time to find out, yeeee-haaaw!

But first, a few fun facts about these Texas native NFL players. Did you know that nearly all of them were football stars in high school and recruited to big-time football colleges such as the University of Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Christian University and Texas Tech? Everything is bigger in Texas after all, right? While some of these boys ventured off to college out in Oklahoma or California, the funny thing is that many of them made their way back to Texas thanks to the NFL. 

While the Dallas Cowboys or Houston Texans drafted some of them, others went undrafted but joined the Texans or Cowboys as a member of their practice squads. No matter how you slice it, you can take the football player out of Texas, but somehow they'll always find their way back. Von Miller may have left Texas for the Denver Broncos in 2011, but he sure knows how to honor his roots. He is the proud owner of a farm in DeSoto, Texas where he raises chickens! 

So what do you say? Think you have what it takes to go big or go home? It's time to see just how well you know these NFL players born and bred in the great state of Texas. Set, hut!

He led the Saints to victory in Super Bowl XLIV, who is this NFLer?

Drew Brees not only led the New Orleans Saints to victory against the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV, but he was also named Super Bowl MVP. In the 31-17 win, Brees threw for 288 yards and two touchdowns.

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This wide receiver got his start with the Dallas Cowboys in 2010, can you name him?

Desmond Bryant was born in Galveston County, Texas in 1988. Not only was he a football star at Lufkin High School, but he was also one of the best track and field athletes in the state. After playing football at Oklahoma, he was drafted back to Texas, playing with the Dallas Cowboys from 2010-2017.

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Born in Lubbock in 1988, who is this NFL quarterback?

Ryan Tannehill played college football at Texas A&M and went on to be the eighth overall pick of the 2012 NFL draft. He played with the Miami Dolphins through the 2018 season and was recently traded to the Tennessee Titans. He will play one year with the Titans on a $7 million contract.

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He was Philadelphia's hero in Super Bowl LII; what is his name?

Nick Foles may have been a backup at the start of the 2017 season, but he finished as the Super Bowl MVP. Born in Austin, Texas, Foles has bounced around between five different teams since he was drafted in 2012. He was the league's passer rating leader in 2013.

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A first round pick in 2001, who is this former running back?

Tomlinson was not only born in Texas, but he was also educated there. He attended Texas Christian University on an athletic scholarship and played all four years earning 5,263 rushing yards, a Heisman nomination, and jersey retirement. He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2014.

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At just 23 years old, he became the youngest ever NFL MVP, who is he?

After three years at Texas Tech, Tyler native Patrick Mahomes was selected by the Chiefs in the 2017 NFL draft. By 2018, he was setting major NFL records including the first player to throw 3,000 yards in his first 10 games and the youngest quarterback to throw 50 touchdowns in one season.

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A Super Bowl MVP and contestant on "Dancing with the Stars," do you recognize him?

Von Miller grew up in Dallas and attended Texas A&M. There he studied poultry science while playing defensive end and outside linebacker. In 2011, Von Miller was the second overall pick by the Broncos. Today, when he's not on the field, Von Miller is raising chickens on his farm in Dallas.

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A "giant" of a defensive end from 1993-2007, who is this now television personality?

Michael Strahan is a native of Houston and graduate of Westbury High School. He attended Texas Southern University and in 1993 was drafted in the second round to the New York Giants. He spent his entire 15-year career with the team, earning seven Pro Bowl selections and one Super Bowl ring.

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He was a member of the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team; do you recognize this running back?

Eric Dickerson is a native of Sealy, Texas. In his senior year of high school, he committed to playing football at Southern Methodist University. He has said that his great-great-aunt wanted him to stay in Texas as opposed to playing at Oklahoma or Southern California where he was also pursued.

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He has played for the Vikings, Saints, Cardinals and Redskins, who is this?

Drafted seventh overall, this Palestine, Texas native was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2012. Since then Adrian Peterson has been selected to seven Pro Bowls, was named NFL MVP in 2012, and holds the NFL record for most rushing yards in a game at 296.

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Can you name this Hall of Famer and Texas native?

Because of his longevity and performance in the NFL, Darrell Green was nicknamed the "Ageless Wonder." A first-round pick out of Texas A&M, Green played his entire career as a cornerback for the Washington Redskins. He won two Super Bowls and three NFC championships with the team.

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Dallas native and two-time All-American, can you identify this player?

After two years at Texas Tech, Michael Crabtree entered the 2009 NFL draft and was selected tenth overall by the San Francisco 49ers. As one of the best wide receivers in the country, he has recorded more than 7,000 receiving yards thus far in his career of nine years.

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The Bengals' quarterback since 2011, who is this Katy native?

Born in Katy, Texas in 1987, Andy Dalton was selected in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft. Since then he has been selected to three Pro Bowls and completed 2,443 passes. His nickname among teammates is the "Red Rifle."

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A middle linebacker from Pampa, Texas, who is this former Dolphin?

Did you know that Zach Thomas was drafted by the Miami Dolphins in 1996 and went on to play with them for the next 11 seasons? He finished his career with one final year back in his home state with the Dallas Cowboys in 2008.

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Born in Brownwood, he's been a journeyman quarterback, can you name this NFL player?

Despite going undrafted, Case Keenum has been in the league since 2012. After playing college football at the University of Houston, he joined the Houston Texans and has also played with the Rams, Vikings, Broncos and as of 2019, the Redskins. He has an 84.5 passer rating.

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Born in Dallas, he was the NFL sacks leader in 2007 and 2011; who is he?

Though he was born in Dallas, Texas, Jared Allen grew up on a horse ranch in Morgan Hill, California. After attending Idaho State University, he was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2004 NFL draft. Did you know that he shares the NFL record with four career safeties?

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He played for the Chicago Bears from 1981-1992, who is this Texan?

Mike Singletary was born on October 9, 1958, in Houston, Texas. He is a graduate of Worthing High School in Houston and Baylor University in Waco. Singletary's NFL carer was not just on the field, but off as well. He has served in various coaching positions across the league since 2003.

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Born in Jacksonville, Texas, who is this former quarterback?

Josh McCown spent three years at Southern Methodist University before transferring to Sam Houston State for his final year. In 2002, he was drafted by the Cardinals and began a 16-season career as a journeyman quarterback. McCown played for 10 different teams throughout his time in the NFL.

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He began his career with the Seattle Seahawks and will start the 2019 season with the Ravens, who is this Texan?

Just three seasons into his career as a free safety in the NFL, Earl Thomas won the Super Bowl with the Seattle Seahawks. During his nine seasons with the Seahawks, Thomas recorded a total of 28 interceptions and 417 interception return yards.

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They called him "Highway 63;" who is this former Raiders guard?

Gene Upshaw was born in Robstown, Texas and played with the Oakland Raiders from 1967-1981. During his tenure with the team, he was selected to six Pro Bowls and won two Super Bowl rings. Sadly, he died of pancreatic cancer three days after his diagnosis in 2008.

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Born in Mumford, Texas, who is this former defensive tackle?

John Randle began his football career playing at Hearne High School and later at Texas A&M University. A seven-time Pro Bowler, he played for the Minnesota Vikings from 1990-2000 and the Seattle Seahawks from 2001-2003. With 471 tackles, he is a member of the Minnesota Vikings Ring of Honor.

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Born in Dallas, he won the Heisman Trophy while playing at Notre Dame; who is this former wide receiver?

Tim Brown was a first-round pick in the 1988 NFL draft. He went on to play with the Raiders until 2003, finishing his career with the Buccaneers in 2004. Brown, a native of Dallas, was a nine-time Pro Bowler and was inducted into the Football Hall of Fame in 2015.

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A running back for the Buffalo Bills from 1988-1999, who is this Hall of Famer?

Though he left to play football at Oklahoma State, Thurman Thomas was born in Houston and attended Willowridge High School. While playing the majority of his career with the Buffalo Bills, he made it to four consecutive Super Bowls but never won! The team retired his number 34 in 2018.

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From 1991-2007, he played for seven different NFL teams, who is this wide receiver?

Keenan McCardell was a late-round draft pick by the Washington Redskins in 1991 and went on to play in the NFL for 14 seasons. A native of Houston and member of the 10,000 Receiving Yards Club, he now serves as the wide receivers coach of the Jacksonville Jaguars.

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He attended The Woodlands High School and Texas Tech, who is this Texas native?

Danny Amendola played football at Texas Tech but left early in his senior year to train for the NFL Combine. He went undrafted in 2008 and became a member of the Cowboys and Eagles practice squads. In 2009 he signed with the St. Louis Rams and later won two Super Bowls with the New England Patriots.

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A seven-time Pro Bowler, can you name this offensive tackle from Longview?

While playing football at Longview High School, Trent Williams received offers to play at Louisiana State, Texas A&M, Oklahoma State and his final decision the University of Oklahoma. He was the fourth overall pick of the 2010 draft and has been playing with the Washington Redskins ever since.

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A three-time Super Bowl champion with the Raiders, who is this player?

Born in Houston, Texas, Cliff Branch not only played football throughout college, but he was national track athlete as well. His speed translated to the field where he would often return kickoffs for touchdowns. During his 14-year career with the Raiders, he recorded 8,685 receiving yards.

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Drafted by the Cowboys in 2018, who is this 310-pound guard from Coppell?

A graduate of Coppell High School, Connor Williams went on to play three years at the University of Texas. He passed up his senior year in favor of the NFL draft where he was selected in the 2nd round by the Dallas Cowboys. Williams plays guard at 6 feet 5 inches and 310 pounds.

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He was the NFL receiving yards leader in 2013, do you recognize this Texan?

Despite various suspensions, Josh Gordon has made his mark on the NFL. A Houston native, he holds the NFL record for most receptions in a game at 14, most receiving yards in a game at 261 and most receiving yards in a season at 1,646. Today he is breaking from the NFL to focus on his mental health.

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He was "the meanest man in pro football" from 1944-1955; who is this football legend?

Ed Sprinkle spent his entire 12-season career playing with the Chicago Bears. He is remembered as one of the greatest pass rushers of all time and one of the most passionate players as well. While some called it "dirty," he called it assertive. He later served as defensive coach of the Jets in 1962.

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At 328 pounds, he plays offensive tackle for the Philadelphia Eagles; do you recognize him?

Jason Peters started his NFL career with the Buffalo Bills from 2004-2008. Since 2009, he has played with the Philadelphia Eagles, having signed two major contracts worth $111.3 million over 10 years. He is widely considered one of the best-left tackles in the game.

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Both a player and a coach for the Washington Redskins, who is this Grand Prairie native?

Taylor was a halfback and defensive back at Arizona State University when he was drafted third overall by the Washington Redskins. He played with the Redskins from 1964-1975 and again in 1977. He couldn't stay away, though. He returned to serve as the team's wide receiver coach from 1981-1993.

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They called him the "Secretary of Defense;" who is this former defensive end?

Dexter Manley played the majority of his 11-year NFL career with the Washington Redskins. As a fifth-round draft pick, he went on to win two Super Bowls with the team. Today he ranks as one of the greatest Redskins of all time and is a member of the Washington Redskins Ring of Fame.

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The first overall pick of the 1966 draft, who is this former Falcons linebacker?

Born in San Antonio, Tommy Nobis played football at the University of Texas where he won the national championship in 1963. Three years later he began his 11-year NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons and was named NFL Rookie of the Year. His number 60 was the first number ever retired by the Falcons.

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A Patriot turned Saint, who is this two-time Super Bowl champ and Brenham native?

Malcom Brown played three years at the University of Texas where he recorded 41 tackles. He was drafted in the first round of the 2015 draft by the Patriots with whom he won two Super Bowls in 2016 and 2018. In March of 2019, he signed a three-year contract with the Saints worth $15 million.

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As a Dallas Cowboy, he was the NFL interceptions leader in 1969; do you know his name?

Mel Renfo spent his entire 14-year career with the Dallas Cowboys. Born in Houston, he left only for high school and college in Oregon. As a two-time Super Bowl champion and ten-time Pro Bowler, Renfro was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1996.

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Odessa native turned New England Patriot, who is this offensive tackle?

Did you know that Marcus Cannon played football with Andy Dalton at Texas Christian University? In fact, it was Cannon's responsibility as left tackle to protect Dalton's blindside. Since then, Cannon has played with the New England Patriots, earning three Super Bowls with the team since 2011.

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A cornerback from Denison, he played in the NFL from 1976-1989, what is his name?

Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall and 192 pounds, Mike Haynes was a first-round pick who spent 14 years in the NFL. He played with the Patriots and Raiders, earning a 1997 induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He is remembered as a powerful punt returner.

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A Dallas native who played at Texas Christian University, can you name this player?

Marshall Newhouse was born in Dallas in 1988. In his senior year at TCU, he was invited to participate in the NFL Combine. He was soon drafted by the Green Bay Packers where he played until 2013. Since then he has played with six different teams, currently as an offensive tackle for the Saints.

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A former cornerback turned defensive backs coach, who is this 15-year veteran of the NFL?

Humble, Texas native Aaron Glenn was selected by the New York Jets in the first round of the 1994 draft. He played there for eight years and then spent the next seven years bouncing from Houston to Dallas and Jacksonville to New Orleans. Today he serves as the defensive backs coach for the Saints.

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