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10 Best Foreign NFL Players of All-Time: 2023 Edition

best foreign NFL players

Foreign born players make up around only 3% of NFL players on active rosters, the lowest proportion of all major leagues. 

Best Foreign NFL Players

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.

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.

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 and in 2019 he became the youngest player in history to reach 50 career sacks. He 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 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. He also played 23 postseason games which ranks him third all-time for an offensive lineman.

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 as well as 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 that 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.

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 as a wide receiver with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He finished his career with 1000 receptions, 12,083 receiving yards and 85 touchdowns, making him one of the best foreign 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 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 record for longest NFL field goal by converting a 63-yard field goal attempt. He also earned a Pro Bowl appearance that same year.

2. Tamba Hali

Born in war-torn Liberia and feeling to America at age 10, Tamba Hali forced 32 fumbles, earned 89.5 sacks and was selected to the Pro Bowl six times during a 12-season career with the Kansas City Chiefs.

Hali earned All-American football honors in both high school and college football. 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.

1. Morten Andersen

The best foreign NFL player of all time is Danish born Morten Andersen. Andersen holds the record for most games played in the NFL with 382. His 2,544 points scored has him in second place for all-time points scored behind only 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.

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