When you think of the NFL, you don’t typically think of international influence like other pro sports leagues. The percentage of NFL players born outside of the United States isn’t high. That being said, there have been some all-time great foreign-born players to grace the football field. Nine such have been inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. On top of that, the league is now making efforts to grow the game internationally, holding regular season NFL games in other countries and creating an International Player Pathway program. While American Football will always be U.S.-based, the league is growing and reaching out to other parts of the world. The international growth even includes increased wagering on the game, which has also increased the number of Plinko gambling around the world, among other formats, due to it being high-stakes and a way to test their luck in preparation for betting on the NFL. With the NFL’s increased growth around the world, let’s take a look at the top international players in NFL history.
The Top 4 International NFL Players of All-Time
4. Bronko Nagurski, Fullback (Canada)
Not only did Bronko Nagurski play on the offensive side of the ball as a fullback but he also played on the defensive side as a tackle, sometimes even pitching in as an offensive lineman. He was a dominant force for the Chicago Bears, capturing three NFL Championships (1932, 1933, 1943) in his nine-year career, all with Chicago (1930-37, 1943). Standing at 6 foot 2 and 226 pounds as a running back, Nagurski was bigger than most linemen at that time and that helped him bulldoze his way to success. In 97 career games, he accumulated 2,778 yards with 25 touchdowns on the ground. Because of his efforts, Nagurski was named First-Team All-Pro four times, was a part of the NFL’s All-decade Team of the 1930s, and the NFL’s 75th Anniversary All-Time Team. When he officially called it a career, the Bears retired his number three and later on was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1962.
3. Tom Fears, Wide Receiver (Mexico)
Tom Fears also spent his entire NFL career playing for one team, the Los Angeles Rams from 1948 to 1956. Coming from Mexico, he was one of if not the best wide receiver, or as called back then “split end”, born outside of the States. As indicated by his name, he struck fear into his opponent, leading the league in receptions through his first three seasons. In 1949, he set the league record for all-time single-season receptions with 77. Fears then broke his own record in 1950 with 84 receptions that season, while also setting the record for catches in a game (18). There was no doubt that he was named First-Team All-Pro for that season. In fact, he was the NFL’s receptions leader from 1948 to 1950. In 1949, he squeezed in being the league’s co-leader in receiving touchdowns. Fears helped guide the Rams to an NFL Championship in 1951. Because of his success during that time, he was named to the All-Decade Team for the 1950s. He finished his career with 5,397 yards and 38 touchdowns, earning himself a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1970, where he became the first Mexican-born NFL player to do so.
2. Steve Van Buren, Running back (Honduras)
The Philadelphia Eagles won back-to-back NFL Championships in 1948 and 1949 and running back Steve Van Buren played an integral part in that. He scored the only touchdown of the Championship Game in 1948 and set playoff records by carrying the ball 31 times for 196 yards in the 1949 Championship Game. Van Buren had one of the best decades of any player in NFL history in the 1940s. Along with those two championships, he earned five First-Team All-Pro accolades (1944, 1945, 1947-49) and was both the rushing yards leader and rushing touchdown leader in 1945, 1947-49. To no surprise of anyone, he was named to the NFL’s 1940s All-Decade Team. He was also named to the NFL’s 75th Anniversary All-Time Team and 100th Anniversary Team. The five-time All-Pro was a legend in Philadelphia, playing all of his eight seasons with the Eagles and had his number 15 retired by the team. Not only that, but Van Buren also went on to be inducted into the Eagles Hall of Fame and was named to their own 75th Anniversary Team. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965, where his final numbers of 5,850 rushing yards and 69 touchdowns on the ground will never be forgotten. Not only was he one of the best international players in NFL history and one of the greatest Eagles of all time but he was one of the best ever to do it period.
1. Ted Hendricks, Linebacker (Guatemala)
This list has consisted of primary offensive players until now. Ted Hendricks used all of his 6-foot-7 frame to have a dominant career over 15 seasons (1969-83) with the Baltimore Colts, Green Bay Packers, and Oakland Raiders. Across all three teams, he won four Super Bowls and tallied 60.5 sacks (unofficial) to go along with 26 interceptions, making him the only player to have 60-plus sacks and 20-plus interceptions. Hendricks also recovered 16 fumbles and recorded four safeties, which is an NFL record. He also set a record with an amazing 25 kicks/punts blocked during his career. These numbers earned him four First-Team All-Pros with two Second-Team All-Pros while making eight Pro Bowls. He not only made the All-Decade Team in 1970 but also made the 1980s All-Decade Team. Hendricks was named to the NFL’s 75th and 100th Anniversary All-Time Team while also being inducted into the Ravens Ring of Honor. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990. His latest achievement came during the NFL’s 100th anniversary commemoration, when he placed 82nd in the “Top 100: NFL’s Greatest Players” of all time list. Hendricks did it all on defense and dominated the field, making him the best international player to lace up the cleats.
