Jim Brown - Then
Jim Brown is considered by most to be the greatest running back to ever play the game. Playing his entire career with the Cleveland Browns (1957-1965), Brown amassed 12,312 rushing yards while scoring 106 touchdowns. Averaging 104.1 yards per game, he is the only back to average over 100 rushing yards per game, over the course of his career. Brown became a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971, and has influenced generations of players since he left the game.
Jim Brown - Now
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Late in his career and after, Brown went into acting starring in such films as Rio Conchos, The Dirty Dozen, and The Running Man. His work in front of the camera continued as he worked as a commentator for the National Football League and the Ultimate Fighting Championship. In 2013, the Cleveland Browns named him as a Special Advisor. Brown also founded a program called Amer-I-Can, which works with youth in the Los Angeles and Cleveland areas who are involved in gangs.
Emmitt Smith - Then
Emmitt Smith is the all-time leading rusher (18,355 yards) in the NFL, playing from 1990-2004. The majority of his career was spent with the Dallas Cowboys, with the exception of his final two seasons playing for the Arizona Cardinals. After finishing his final season, he was signed to a one-day contract with the Dallas Cowboys so he could retire as a member of the team he played so many years with. It's almost as if those final two seasons didn't even happen, but they did, Cowboys fans!
Emmitt Smith - Now
In his first year of eligibility (2010), Smith was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He also worked in front of the camera as an NFL analyst for the NFL Network in 2005 as well as for ESPN in 2007. In 2005, Smith approached fellow former Cowboy Roger Staubach about getting involved in real estate. After his time at Staubach Co., Smith formed Smith/Cypress Partners LP where he helped develop areas in densely populated communities. It's not all work for Smith, however. In 2006, he joined the cast of Dancing With the Stars where he took home the trophy with professional partner Cheryl Burke. He returned in 2012 in the 15th season of the show, going up against other past winners, this time finishing in 4th place and Cha Cha-ing his way into our hearts.
Dan Marino - Then
Dan Marino is known as one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history. He holds another distinction as one of the greatest players to have never won a Super Bowl title. Marino currently ranks 5th in both total passing yards (61,361) and passing touchdowns (420). In 1979, Marino was selected in the Major League Baseball draft by the Kansas City Royals, in the 4th round. Instead, he opted to enroll in the University of Pittsburgh and play football. I'm sure Dolphin fans would agree that he made the right choice (no Kansas City Royal fans could be reached for comment, mainly because we don't know any).
Dan Marino - Now
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Lawrence Taylor - Then
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Lawrence Taylor - Now
After Taylor's playing career ended, he decided to give acting a try and was featured in the movies Any Given Sunday and The Waterboy as well as the popular television show The Sopranos. In 1999, Taylor was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in his first year being eligible for the award. He is a co-founder of a network marketing company called eXfuze in which he started with former NFL players Eric Dickerson and Seth Joyner.
Bart Starr - Then
Bart Starr is one of the greatest quarterbacks in NFL history and has one of the best pro-athlete names ever. He is also one of the most beloved members of the Green Bay Packer family. While passing has become a more impactful part of the game in the decades since he retired, he still holds the record for the highest QB passer rating in playoff games(104.8). Playing his entire career with the Packers, he led his team to two Super Bowl titles as well as a Most Valuable Player award in 1966.
Bart Starr - Now
Upon completing his playing career, Starr went right into coaching, becoming the Packers QB coach for the 1972 season. When a coaching vacancy with the Packers opened in 1974, Starr accepted the job of Head Coach and held that post for nine seasons. In 1965, he and his wife Cherry co-founded Rawhide Boys Ranch that aids at-risk and troubled boys in the state of Wisconsin. Starr has been married to his high school sweetheart Cherry for 62 years.
Joe Montana - Then
Joe Montana played in the NFL for 16 years, 14 of those with the San Fransisco 49ers. In that time, he won a record (3-way tie) four Super Bowl titles. Montana was given the nickname "The Comeback Kid" for of his ability to bring his team back and win games in which they had been trailing. He has received many accolades during his playing career including three Super Bowl MVP and two regular-season Most Valuable Player awards. "I said Joe Montaigna." You didn't think we were going to forget that Waterboy reference, did you?
Joe Montana - Now
"The Comeback Kid" was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2000. In his time since retiring from the NFL, Montana has started a company named Montagia, a successful wine vineyard in California. Montana is still busy these days with endorsement deals, autograph signings, and speaking engagements It is said that his speeches can fetch upwards of $50,000,--yes you read that right. Joe currently resides in California with his wife of 31 years, Jennifer.
Barry Sanders - Then
Like Dan Marino, Barry Sanders is one of the greatest players to never win a Super Bowl title. Unlike Marino though, Sanders never made it to the big game. That doesn't prevent him from being called on of the greatest running backs to ever play the game. Playing his entire career (1989-1998) with the Detriot Lions, he was a dominant offensive force up until the day he surprisingly announced his retirement. Running for a career 15,269 yards, he only trails Walter Payton and Emmitt Smith in that category.
Barry Sanders - Now
While Sanders hasn't gone the typical route of working as a football analyst, he has used his time away from the game to help raise his four sons. From 2012-2015, Sanders' son Barry Jr. was a running back for Stanford University. On being there for his son at this time, Sanders stated, "For me, it's just very rewarding and very fulfilling -- something that a lot of parents can relate to -- seeing your child do something like that. All the things you wished and hoped for them come together, and it makes a lot of things worthwhile." That could melt the hearts of even the most bitter Lions fans.
Gale Sayers - Then
Nicknamed "The Kansas Comet," Sayers was drafted by the Chicago Bears out of the University of Kansas. Sayers still holds the record for most touchdowns for a rookie(22), in 1965. He played his entire seven-year career with the Bears before retiring prior to the 1972 season due to two severe knee injuries he had sustained. Sayers won the NFL Rookie of the Year honor in 1965 and is still considered one of the greatest running backs, even though his health forced him into early retirement.
Gale Sayers - Now
During his time with the Chicago Bears, Sayers befriended his teammate and fellow running back Brian Piccolo. Their friendship was immortalized in the 1971 film Brian's Song. The film told the story of their friendship and the struggle of Brian Piccolo fighting a diagnosis of terminal cancer. Gale currently resides in the Chicagoland area with his wife of 43 years, Ardythe. They also have homes in Wakarusa, In., Las Vegas, Nv., and Lawrence, Ks. If you've never seen Brian's Song, watch it today and don't forget the tissues.
Dick Butkus - Then
Two decades before Lawrence Taylor struck fear into every quarterback in the NFL, Dick Butkus was easily the most intimidating man on the gridiron. Don't believe us? In 1970, Sports Illustrated featured Butkus on the cover of their magazine with the title "The Most Feared Man in the Game." He is one of the best players to have ever played the game, regardless of position. Twice being named Defensive Player of the Year, he was chosen for the Pro Bowl eight of the nine seasons he played professionally for his hometown Chicago Bears.
Dick Butkus - Now
From 1985-1987, Dick Butkus went to work for his Chicago Bears as a radio color analyst. He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1979 and was later chosen as the 70th greatest athlete of the 20th century by ESPN. He continues to be a mainstay within the Chicago Bears organization and uses his fame to obtain celebrity endorsements even though he has been retired from the game for over 40 years. He created The Butkus Foundation, which allows him to give back to the community as well as mentor young student-athletes.
Joe Greene - Then
