Best NFL Players With Beards of All-Time

The NFL is one of the most competitive football leagues in the world.  Featuring high-powered athletes, these players are paid big bucks in an attempt to secure a championship ring for their respective team. 

And while these players are all all-stars in their own right, some take extra measures to help develop their brand and promote their lifestyle.

And one such way that many NFL players do so is by growing out their facial hair.  Often providing them with a unique look and style, facial hair and beards in the NFL have become more-and-more popular. 

Below, we are going to look at the best NFL players with beards of all-time and finally determine who has the best beard in the league.

Looking for additional style inspiration from NFL players? Check out our review of the best NFL players with long hair!

Why do NFL Players Play with Beards?

While not all NFL players play with beards or facial hair, there has been an upward trend in terms of total players playing with either a beard or some level of facial hair. 

And while, unfortunately, playing with a beard cannot help to improve your overall game, many NFL players opt to play with a beard due to personal or religious reasons.

However, an even more number of NFL players opt to play with beards due to the added recognizability and presence that playing with one affords them.

Playing with a beard, particularly a large or full one, can help fans to instantly recognize those players, thus helping them to increase their own personal brand.

And lastly, for many players, playing with a beard is simply easier. From a seemingly endless amount of interstate travel, hotel bookings, practices and trainings, interviews, and personal projects and charities, many NFL players simply find not shaving to be a time saver.

Ryan Fitzpatrick

One of the most glorious beards by any professional athlete and perhaps only comparable to the NBA’s James Harden, Ryan Fitzpatrick sports one of the most illustrious and full beards in the entire NFL.

A former NFL quarterback, Ryan Fitzpatrick played 17 seasons and started as a quarterback for nine different teams. Having played college football at Harvard, he was the school’s first quarterback to have over 1,000 rushing yards.

Brett Keisel

Brett Keisel is another former NFL player and judging by the candid photo above, appears to still be sporting his signature beard. Having played for 12 seasons for the Pittsburgh Steelers, he was drafted by the team in the seventh round of the 2002 NFL Draft.

Eric Weddle

An NFL safety, Eric Weddle played in the NFL for 14 seasons and played college football at Utah. He was selected by the San Diego Chargers in the second round of the 2007 NFL Draft and received three Pro Bowl selections and two first-team All-Pro honors during his time with the Chargers.

He subsequently joined the Baltimore Ravens and received Pro Bowl honors for each of the three seasons he was with the team. Weddle would retire after playing for the Los Angeles Rams for one-season but would return to the Rams two years later for an additional season and one in which the Rams would win the Super Bowl.

Jason Kelce

Although the above photo may not be the most flattering one of Kelce, he has played the center position for the Philadelphia Eagles since being drafted by them in the 2011 NFL Draft in the sixth round.

Having played college football for Cincinnati, Kelce has had a significant impact with the Eagles and has been named a 5-time Pro Bowl selection and four-time first-team All-Pro selection.

Nick Mangold

Nick Mangold is a former NFL center who played his entire 10-year career with the New York Jets. Drafted in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft by the Jets, Mangold became well-known to fans of the team and was a seven-time Pro Bowl selection candidate.

Odell Beckham Jr.

While Odell Beckham Jr. may be more well-known for his one-handed grab while playing for the New York Giants, he is also famous for his rather eclectic style of hair and beard choices.

Born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Odell Beckham Jr. played college football for LSU and was drafted in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the New York Giants.

A wide receiver, Odell Beckham Jr. is known for his jaw-dropping and gravity defying catches and plays and has become an international superstar for his ability to make the difficult catches.

Ben Roethlisberger

Recently retired, Ben Roethlisberger played his entire 18-year NFL career with the Pittsburgh Steelers and was selected by the team in the first round of the 2004 NFL Draft.

Having played college football at Miami, Ben Roethlisberger earned AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award in 2004 and his first Pro Bowl selection a mere three years after joining the league.

And, in just his second year with the Steelers, he became the youngest Super Bowl–winning quarterback in NFL history, leading the Steelers, to a 21–10 victory over the Seattle Seahawks in Super Bowl XL at the age of 23.

Ezekiel Elliott

Ezekiel Elliott has, by far, one of the most glorious beards from any current or former NFL player. A running back for the Dallas Cowboys, Ezekiel Elliott played college football at Ohio State University and was drafted by the Cowboys fourth overall in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Having led the league in rushing in both 2016 and 2018, he received a three-time Pro Bowl and two-time All-Pro selection in his six years in the league.