The National Football League (NFL) is the premier professional American football league in the world, consisting of 32 teams divided equally between the National Football Conference (NFC) and the American Football Conference (AFC). The league is known for its high level of physicality, intensity, and competitiveness.
In this article, we will take a look at some of the oldest NFL players in history, their positions, years active, and the impact of age on their performance.
Top 10 Oldest Players in NFL History
| Name | Age in final game | Years Active | Position |
| George Blanda | 48 | 1949-1975 | Kicker |
| Morten Anderson | 47 | 1982-2007 | Quarterback, kicker |
| Adam Vinatieri | 48 | 1996-2021 | Kicker |
| John Carney | 46 | 1988-2010 | Kicker |
| John Nesser | 46 | 1921 | Offensive line |
| Ben Agajanian | 45 | 1945-1964 | Kicker |
| Gary Anderson | 45 | 1982-2004 | Kicker |
| Bobby Marshall | 45 | 1920, 1925 | End |
| Steve DeBerg | 44 | 1978-1998 | Quarterback |
| Vinny Testaverde | 44 | 1987-2007 | Quarterback |
1. George Blanda
George Blanda is the oldest player in NFL history. He was a true legend of the game, known for his longevity and versatility. He played quarterback and kicker and even started games at both positions during the same season. Blanda played in the NFL for an incredible 26 seasons, from 1949 to 1975.
He retired at the age of 48, making him the oldest player in NFL history at the time. Blanda played for several teams during his career including Chicago Bears, Oakland Raiders, Houston Oiler and Baltimore Colts.
2. Morten Anderson
Morten Anderson was another player who defied age and played well into his 40s. Anderson is one of the oldest player in NFL history. He played in the NFL for 25 seasons, from 1982 to 2007. He retired at the age of 47, making him the oldest player in NFL history.
Anderson played for several teams during his career, including the New Orleans Saints, the Atlanta Falcons, and the New York Giants. He is considered one of the greatest kickers in NFL history, holding several records, including the most field goals made and the most points scored by a kicker.
Teams played: New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants, Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings
3. Adam Vinatieri
Adam Vinatieri is another kicker who has defied age and played at a high level well into his 40s. Vinatieri played in the NFL for 24 seasons, from 1996 to 2021. He retired at the age of 48, tying George Blanda as the oldest player in NFL history.
Vinatieri played for several teams during his career, including the New England Patriots and the Indianapolis Colts. He is known for his clutch performances, having made several game-winning kicks in key moments throughout his career.
Teams played: New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts
4. John Carney
John Carney is a former American football kicker who played in the National Football League (NFL) for over two decades. He was born on April 20, 1964, in Hartford, Connecticut, and attended high school in Florida. He then played college football at the University of Notre Dame, where he was a standout kicker.
Jhon Carney is one of the oldest player in NFL history. He started his professional football career in 1987, when he signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent. However, he was cut before the start of the regular season and spent the year out of football. In 1988, he signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, where he spent his rookie year as a backup kicker.
Teams played: San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants, Los Angeles Rams
5. John Nesser
John Nesser was an offensive lineman who played for a total of 13 seasons in the NFL, from 1920 to 1933. He played for several teams during his career, including the Columbus Panhandles, the Akron Pros, and the Cleveland Indians. Nesser was known for his toughness and durability, and he played in a total of 170 games during his career. He retired at the age of 46, making him one of the oldest player in NFL history.
Team played: Columbus Panhandles
6. Ben Agajanian
Ben Agajanian was a kicker who played for a total of 22 seasons in the NFL, from 1945 to 1964. During his career, he played for several teams, including the New York Giants, the Los Angeles Dons, and the Green Bay Packers. Agajanian was known for his accuracy and consistency, and he finished his career with a field goal percentage of 60.8%. He retired at the age of 45, making him one of the oldest player in NFL history.
Teams played: New York Giants, San Diego Chargers, Los Angeles Rams, Dallas Texans, Green Bay Packers, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers.
7. Gary Anderson
Gary Anderson was born on July 16, 1959, in Parys, Free State, South Africa. He is one of the oldest player in NFL history.. He played college football at Syracuse University and was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in the seventh round of the 1982 NFL draft.
Anderson played for several teams in his 23-year career, including the Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, and the San Francisco 49ers. He retired at the age of 45 in 2004, making him one of the oldest player in NFL history.
Teams played: Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Tennessee Titans, San Francisco 49ers
8. Bobby Marshall
Bobby Marshall was born on March 12, 1880, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He is one of the oldest player in NFL history. He played college football at the University of Minnesota and was the first African-American to play in the school’s football team.
In 1920, Marshall became the first African-American player in the NFL when he played for the Rock Island Independents. He was 45 years old when he played his last game for the Duluth Eskimos in 1925.
Teams played: Rock Island Independents, Duluth Kelleys
9. Steve DeBerg
Steve DeBerg was born on January 19, 1954, in Oakland, California. He is one of the oldest player in NFL history. He played college football at San Jose State University and was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the 10th round of the 1977 NFL draft.
Steve DeBerg played for several teams in his 21-year career, including the San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, and the Kansas City Chiefs. He retired at the age of 44 in 1998.
Team played: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kansas City Chiefs, Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers, Atlanta Falcons, Miami Dolphins
10. Vinny Testaverde
Vinny Testaverde was born on November 13, 1963, in Brooklyn, New York. He played college football at the University of Miami and was drafted by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the first round of the 1987 NFL draft. Testaverde played for several teams in his 21-year career, including the New York Jets, Baltimore Ravens, and the Dallas Cowboys. He retired at the age of 44 in 2007, making him one of the oldest player in NFL history.
Teams played: New York Jets, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers, Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots
Also read Tom Brady – One of the Oldest Quarterback in the NFL
FAQ’s
1. What is the age of the oldest NFL player on record?
The oldest NFL player on record was George Blanda, who played until the age of 48 years old.
2. Who is the oldest NFL player?
George Blanda is the oldest player to play in NFL history. His positions are Quarterback, Placekicker.
3. What position did George Blanda play in the NFL?
George Blanda played multiple positions during his NFL career, including quarterback, kicker, and linebacker.
4. Who is the oldest active quarterback in the NFL?
| Players | Team |
| Andy Lee | Cardinals |
| Robbie Gould | 49ers |
| Aaron Rodgers | Packers |
| Marcedes Lewis | Packers |
| Clark Harris | Bengals |
| Mason Crosby | Packers |
| Nick Folk | Patriots |
| Matt Ryan | Colts |
5. How old was Vinny Testaverde when he retired?
44 years old when Vinny Testaverde retired.