10 Best Foreign NFL Players of All-Time: 2023 Edition
Foreign born players make up around only 3% of NFL players on active rosters, the lowest proportion of all major leagues.
The NFL is the most American league with a very large majority of players being born in the US. We take a look at the special club of international born stars and look at the 10 best foreign NFL players in history.
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10. Jordan Mailata
Jordan Mailata was born in Australia to Samoan immigrant parents. Mailata played rugby league in Australia as a junior before joining the International Player Pathway Program (IPPP) in 2018.
The Eagles took a shot at Mailata and drafted him in the seventh round, 233rd overall at the 2018 draft. Despite initial evaluations that he'd eventuate into a practice squad player and at best a bottom-end talent on an NFL roster, he's turned into one of the premier offensive tackles in the league.
In 2021 the Eagles extended Mailata's contract by signing him to a four-year deal with $64 million, with $40.85 million guaranteed. By the time his career finishes there's no doubt he'll be even higher on the list of best foreign NFL players.
.@jordan_mailata's rugby highlights are RIDICULOUS 🤯#FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/OOWszWbQ58
— Philadelphia Eagles (@Eagles) April 19, 2023
9. Danielle Hunter
Defensive end Danielle Hunter was born in Jamaica and moved to the US at 8 years old. After starring at the LSU Tigers he was drafted by the Vikings in the third round and 88th pick overall in 2015.
When healthy, Hunter is one of the best edge rushers in the NFL. In 2019 he became the youngest player in history to reach 50 career sacks, earned Pro Bowl appearances in 2018, 2019 and 2022, and is already one of the best foreign NFL players ever.
8. Jesse Sapolu
Four-time Super Bowl winner Jesse Sapolu is one of the best international foreign NFL players we've ever seen. Born in Samoa the offensive lineman played his entire 13-season career at the 49ers.
Sapolu was a key offensive line figure during the 49ers dynasty of the 80s and 90s, protecting both Hall of Fame quarterbacks Steve Young and Joe Montana. Sapolu played 23 postseason games which ranks him third all-time for an offensive lineman.
Jesse Sapolu and Micheal Jordan during Super Bowl practice week. 1995#SF49ers pic.twitter.com/4yy2qTHWb3
— San Francisco 49ers: Past And Present (@sf_touchdown) December 4, 2021
7. Sebastian Vollmer
Germans love the NFL which is why they're among the favorites for an international NFL team. Offensive tackle Sebastian Vollmer was the first German-born player to be drafted into the NFL after the New England Patriots selected him in the second round of the 2009 NFL draft.
A key part of the Patriots dynasty, he only started playing football at 14 years of age. He picked up two Super Bowl rings in a six-year career protecting Tom Brady, a career cut short due to persistent injuries.
6. Gary Anderson
South African Gary Andersen is one of the best international NFL players of all time and is the third highest point scorer in NFL history. Andersen is best remembered for his time in Pittsburgh.
Andersen was so good he made four Pro Bowls and the Steelers' All-Time Team following 13 seasons in Pittsburgh. In the 1998 season with the Vikings he became the first kicker to convert every point after touchdown and all field goals during a regular season.
5. Christian Okoye
At 6-foot-1 and 260 pounds, Nigerian Christian Okoye ran a 4.45-second 40-yard dash time. It impressed the Chiefs so much they picked him up in the second round (35th pick) of the 1987 draft. That's despite only arriving in America at the age of 21, and never playing football until two years after this.
The "Nigerian Nightmare" had a ferocious combination of size and speed leading him to become one of the best foreign NFL players ever seen. Ongoing knee injuries ended his career after only six seasons but he earned two Pro Bowl appearances and is in the Chiefs Hall of Fame.
Most career rushing yards in #Chiefs franchise history
Jamaal Charles - 7,260 Priest Holmes - 6,070 Larry Johnson - 6,015 Christian Okoye - 4,897 Ed Podolak - 4,451 — NFL Stats (@NFL_Stats) June 13, 2022
4. Hines Ward
A two-time Super Bowl champion and four-time Pro Bowler, Hines Ward has a South Korean mother and African-American father. Born in Seoul, Ward played 14 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Ward finished with 1000 receptions, 12,083 receiving yards and 85 touchdowns, making him one of the best international NFL players of all time.
3. Sebastian Janikowski
Polish born Sebastian Janikowski is one of only three placekickers to ever be drafted in the first round. The Oakland Raiders drafted him 17th overall in 2000 and he spent 18 of his 19 seasons in Oakland.
Janikowski finished his career as the Raiders' all-time leading points scorer (1,799) and most games played (268). In 2011 he tied the longest NFL field goal record with a 63-yard field goal earned a Pro Bowl appearance that same year.
Never Gets Old, Especially On Gameday#RaiderNation #Raiders #silverandblack Sebastian Janikowski With The 63 Yard- FG vs Denver Let's Go🏴☠️😤 pic.twitter.com/zVfVxdIfQF
— Nica🖤🎧🎼 (@NicaLuv0) October 17, 2021
2. Tamba Hali
Tamba Hali forced 32 fumbles, 89.5 sacks and Pro Bowl selection six times during a 12-season career with the Kansas City Chiefs. Hali was born in war torn Liberia and fled to America at the age of 10.
Hali earned All-American honors from both high school and college football as a linebacker. He was drafted in the first round of the 2006 NFL Draft with the 20th pick and was a consistent pass-rushing threat during his entire career.
Tamba Hali will always have a special place in my heart. His escape from war torn Liberia as a child and reuniting with his mom after years of separation is an amazing story.
Oh, and Hali also finishes his career with the 2nd most sacks in Chiefs historyhttps://t.co/ZCRwHhG7MG — Gary McKenzie (@Super_G_Chiefs) March 12, 2018
1. Morten Andersen
The best international NFL player of all time is Danish born Morten Andersen. Andersen holds the record for most NFL games played with 382. His 2,544 points scored has him in second place for all-time point scorer in NFL history behind Adam Vinatieri.
Andersen played 25 seasons in the NFL and was voted to the All-Decade Team of both the 1980s and 1990s. The "Great Dane" appeared in seven Pro Bowls and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.
Most points scored, NFL history: 1. Adam Vinatieri 2,605 2. Morten Anderson 2,434 3. Gary Anderson 2,434 4. Jason Hanson 2,150 5. John Carney 2,062
Most FGs made, NFL history: 1. Adam Vinatieri 583 2. Morten Anderson 565 3. Gary Anderson 538 4. Jason Hanson 495 — Gil Brandt (@Gil_Brandt) September 16, 2019
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Founded in 2020, I turned my lifelong passion for sport into WolfgangSport.com. As an Australian, I've always been fascinated with the cultural differences and global significance of sports in America so I started writing about topics on the NBA, NFL, MLB, NHL, MLS and more. Beyond these topics my vision with WolfgangSport.com is continuing to innovate by expanding exposure into developing technologies such as Web3 platforms as I explore elevating user experiences for readers.
That's a great one
I'm very glad that I'm seeing a Nigerian like me who's doing well.