Texas' Finest: 5 Best NFL Players from the Lone Star State

With 187 players, Texas has produced the most NFL stars. [^1] Here are five Texans who've left an indelible mark on the league:

1. Earl Campbell, RB (1978-1985):

   • From Tyler, Texas.
   • Played for Houston Oilers & New Orleans Saints.
   • Career stats: 74 TDs, 9,407 yards.
   • Awards: NFL MVP (1979), NFL Offensive POY (1978-80), NFL Offensive ROY (1978), 3x First-team All-Pro, 5x Pro Bowl, multiple rushing leader awards
   • Pro Football Hall of Fame (1991)

2. LaDainian Tomlinson, RB (2001-2011):

   • Born in Rosebud, Texas; TCU alum.
   • Played mainly for San Diego Chargers.
   • 145 TDs, second-most all-time.
   • Awards: NFL MVP, Offensive POY, and Walter Payton Man of the Year (all 2006); 3x First-team All-Pro, 3x Second-team; 5x Pro Bowl

3. Adrian Peterson, RB (2007-2021):

   • Palestine, Texas native.
   • Overcame a devastating ACL/MCL injury in 2011.
   • Came back in 2012 with 2,097 rushing yards, just shy of the single-season record.
   • MVP and multiple rushing leader awards for his performance.
   • Other career highlights: 4x First-team All-Pro, 3x Second-team; 7x Pro Bowl; most rushing yards in a game (296).

4. Von Miller, LB (2011-present):

   • Raised in DeSoto, a suburb of Dallas.
   • 2x Super Bowl champion (Broncos 2016, Rams 2022).
   • Super Bowl 50 MVP.
   • Other accolades: 3x First-team All-Pro, 4x Second-team; 8x Pro Bowl; NFL Defensive ROY (2011).

5. Patrick Mahomes, QB (2017-present):

   • Born in Tyler, Texas; chose football over MLB.
   • Plays for KC Chiefs: 3x Super Bowl champ & MVP.
   • Also: 2x NFL MVP (2018, 2022), 2x NFL passing TDs leader, 6x Pro Bowl.

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[^1]: PlayfootballNFL, High Schools with the Most NFL Players on 2023 Kickoff Weekend Rosters, https://playfootball.nfl.com/discover/news-and-features/high-schools-with-the-most-nfl-players-on-2023-kickoff-weekend-rosters/#:~:text=With,Georgia,150).