Top 10 players in NFL history from Long Island
Cleveland Browns fullback Jim Brown (32) runs the ball upfield as quarterback Frank Ryan (13) looks on during the NFL championship game against the Baltimore Colts on Dec. 27, 1964, in Cleveland. The Cleveland Browns defeated the Baltimore Colts, 27-0. Credit: Tony Tomsic/Tony Tomsic
Long Island may not get much acclaim as a pipeline to the NFL, but over the years it has produced two Pro Football Hall of Famers, a few MVPs, a number of Pro Bowlers and All-Pros, and over a dozen Super Bowl champions … not to mention the running back widely considered to be the best player of the 20th century.
While there almost certainly will be more to come in the years ahead, here is a list of the top 10 players in NFL history who began their playing careers on Long Island, as of the 2025 season.
1. Jim Brown, RB, Manhasset High School
Hall of Famer (1971); three-time MVP (1957, '58, '65); eight-time first-team All-Pro (1957-61, 1963-65); nine-time Pro Bowler (1957-65); NFL champion (1964).
Some say he is the best player in NFL history period, never mind among those from Long Island. His exploits with the Browns still resonate among running backs today who will go back to watch his punishing carries for tips and inspiration. His 2,359 carries for 12,312 rushing yards and 106 touchdowns were all NFL records when he retired and his rushing record stood until Walter Payton passed it in 1984.
2. John Mackey, TE, Hempstead High School
Tight end John Mackey of the Baltimore Colts charges out of the end zone holding the ball high after scoring the Colt's first touchdown against the Dallas Cowboys during Super Bowl V in Miami, Fla., Jan. 17, 1971. Mackey got the ball when a pass was tipped into his hands. (AP Photo/Harold Valentine) Credit: AP/Harold Valentine
Hall of Famer (1992); three-time first-team All-Pro (1966-68); five-time Pro Bowler (1963, 65-68); NFL champion (1968); Super Bowl V champion.
He helped define the position as a blocker and receiver, becoming such a prototype that the Mackey Award now recognizes the best tight end in college football each year. In 10 seasons, including nine with the Colts, Mackey scored 38 touchdowns and caught 331 passes for 5,236 yards. He was also the first president of the NFLPA after the merger with the AFL and worked tirelessly to help support former players.
3. Boomer Esiason, QB, East Islip High School
Jets quarterback Boomer Esiason celebrates a touchdown in the second quarter of the Jets game against the Miami Dolphins at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J., on Nov. 7, 1993. Credit: AP/Bill Kostroun
NFL MVP (1988); first-team All-Pro (1988); four-time Pro Bowler (1986, '88, '89, '93).
At the time of his retirement in 1997 his 37,920 passing yards and 247 passing touchdowns were both top 10 all time. His best years were with the Bengals and he went toe-to-toe with Joe Montana in Super Bowl XXIII, losing on a 49ers touchdown with 34 seconds left.
4. John Niland, G, Amityville High School
1965 University if Iowa file photo of John Niland. Flatbed scan Newsday File Photo. ( handout ) nc Credit: NEWSDAY FILE PHOTO/handout
Three-time first-team All-Pro (1969, '71, '72); six-time Pro Bowler (1968-73); Super Bowl VI champion.
One of the toughest guards of his era, Niland was selected to six consecutive Pro Bowls from 1968-73 while only missing two games in his nine seasons with the Cowboys. He was a starter in the Ice Bowl against the Packers in 1967.
5. Lyle Alzado, DE, Lawrence High School
Lyle Alzado #77 of the Los Angeles Raiders tackles quarterback Ken O'Brien #7 of the New York Jets during the game at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on September 8, 1985 in Los Angeles, California. The Raiders won 31-0. (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images) Credit: Getty Images/George Rose
Two-time first-team All-Pro (1977, 80); two-time Pro Bowler (1977, '78), Super Bowl XVIII champion.
The wild man of the NFL who came to embody the Raiders’ aggressive personality and necessitated a rule change against throwing an opponent’s helmet. In 196 career games had 112 sacks and 24 forced fumbles. Alzado played eight of his 15 seasons with the Broncos.
6. Ed Newman, G, Syosset High School
Offensive lineman Ed Newman #64 of the Miami Dolphins blocks against linebacker Robin Cole #56 of the Pittsburgh Steelers as quarterback Dan Marino #13 turns to hand off the football to running back Tony Nathan #22 during a game at Three Rivers Stadium on October 7, 1984 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Dolphins defeated the Steelers 31-7. (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) Credit: Getty Images/George Gojkovich
First-team All-Pro (1984); four-time Pro Bowler (1981-84), Super Bowl VIII champion.
A member of the Super Bowl champion 1973 Dolphins as a rookie (he started one game for them), Newman played 167 games over 12 seasons, all with Miami. After his football career he became a County Court Judge in Miami from 1995-2022.
7. Rob Moore, WR, Hempstead High School
Wide receiver Rob Moore #87 of the New York Jets looks on from the sideline against the San Diego Chargers during a game at Jack Murphy Stadium on December 2, 1990 in San Diego, California. The San Diego Chargers won 38-17 (Photo by George Rose/Getty Images) Credit: Getty Images/George Rose
First-team All-Pro (1997); two-time Pro Bowler (1994, '97).
In 10 seasons with the Jets and Cardinals, the first-round pick by the Jets in the 1990 supplemental draft caught 628 passes for 9,368 yards and 49 touchdowns. He is currently the wide receivers coach for the Panthers.
8. Stephen Boyd, LB, Valley Stream Central High School
Stephen Boyd #57 of the Detroit Lions lines up for action during the Pre-Season game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Aug. 25, 2001. Mandatory Credit: Scott Halleran /Allsport Credit: Getty Images/Scott Halleran
Pro Bowl (1999, 2000); second-team All-Pro (2000).
He led the Lions in tackles all four seasons he started at linebacker for them before chronic back pain cut short his career in 2001. He would have been a three-time Pro Bowler had an injury not prevented him from accepting an invite as an alternate in 1998.
9. Jumbo Elliott, T, Sachem High School
Tackle John "Jumbo" Elliott of the New York Jets in action during a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Giants Stadium at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford, New Jersey, on Nov. 2, 1997. The Jets won the game 19-16. Mandatory Credit: David Seelig /Allsport Credit: Getty Images/David Seelig
Pro Bowl (1993); Super Bowl XXV champion.
For 14 seasons, he was the cornerstone of New York’s offensive lines, the first eight with the Giants and the last six with the Jets. His signature moment was catching the tying touchdown pass from fellow Long Islander Vinny Testaverde in the Jets’ “Monday Night Miracle” win over Miami in 2000.
10. Vinny Testaverde, QB, Sewanhaka High School
Vinny Testaverde #16 of the New York Jets looks for a receiver against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Oct. 9, 2005 at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) Credit: Getty Images/Nick Laham
Two-time Pro Bowler (1996, 98).
During his 21-year NFL career, Testaverde played for seven teams, including two stints with the Jets but started only five playoff games and won only two. When he retired he ranked sixth all-time in passing yards (46,233) and seventh in touchdown passes (275).
* Larry Eisenhauer, DE, Chaminade High School
MA - JULY: Boston Patriots players Larry Eisenhauer, Houston Antwine, Jim Hunt, and Bob Dee in July 1967. (Photo by Ed Farrand/The Boston Globe via Getty Images) Credit: Boston Globe via Getty Images/Boston Globe
Known for antics such as running onto snowy fields in his helmet and underwear and banging his head against walls he backed up all that wildness with 47.5 sacks in his nine seasons with the Patriots. He was named to the Patriots’ 1960s All-Decade team.
*Eisenhauer was in the AFL before it merged with the NFL.
Tom Rock began covering sports for Newsday in 1996 and became its NFL columnist in 2022. He previously was Newsday's Giants beat writer beginning in 2008.
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