The average career of an NFL player is only 3.3 years, according to Statista — but some players are in the league for much, much longer.
Kicker Morten Andersen, for example, had an NFL career which stretched from 1982 to 2007. Andersen currently holds the record for most NFL games played at 382, according to Sportsnaut.
While being an athlete is physically demanding, age does not keep certain players from making an impact on the field. Adam Vinatieri, who played in the NFL from 1996 to 2021 according to Sporting News, retired as the all-time leader for career points scored, according to ESPN.
Here are more NFL players with impressively long careers.
How much money do NFL refs make?:Officials’ salaries and paths to officiating.
Follow every game: Live NFL Scores
Young talent speaks up:Cincinnati Bengals’ Joe Burrow on gun violence, abortion rights
Just curious?:We’re here to answer your everyday questions.
Who is the oldest NFL player?
As of October 2022, Tom Brady is the oldest player in the NFL. He turned 45 in August, according to the NFL.
Brady, who currently plays quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, has seven Super Bowl rings, more than any player in history. He won six of those rings with the New England Patriots.
Who is the oldest NFL player ever?
George Blanda holds the record as the oldest man to ever play in the NFL, according to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Blanda was a quarterback and placekicker who retired in 1976 at the age of 48, after having played 26…
