Gridiron Greats: Pro Football's Best Players

Antonio Brown was deemed too small to play football at the collegiate and NFL level. The Pittsburgh Steelers took a chance on the wide receiver in 2010 and drafted Brown in the 6th round. The Steelers were rewarded handsomely as brown turned into the game's premier wide receiver. He is no longer "Bony Tony," his childhood nickname. At 5' 10" (1.78 m), 181 lbs. (82 kg), Brown has withstood the rigors of the NFL and thrived, rising to the level of the greatest receivers in the history of the game, including none other than Jerry Rice. Brown struggled academically before walking on to the team at Central Michigan University, where he was a two-time All-American. He is passionate about education, devoting his efforts to acting as a good role model for young fans. Each book in the Gridiron Greats series takes a close-up look at some of the very best of today's pro football stars. Statistical leaders and championship winners go under the spotlight in a fun to read and visually interesting examination of the player's outstanding career.

There are many who argue that Aaron Rodgers is one of, if not the greatest player football in the NFL today. His mastery of the quarterback position has maintained the prominence of the Green Bay Packers, one of the most dominant football franchises in the league's history. Rodgers did not take the star route to the NFL. First, he played junior college football at Butte College, and then earned the job as a two-year starter at the University of California before being selected 24th in the 2005 NFL Draft. He took over the Packers from Hall of Fame QB Brett Favre after three seasons on the bench to win a Super Bowl championship of his own. With Rodgers's superstar talent, there may be more championships to come. Each book in the Gridiron Greats series takes a close-up look at some of the very best of today's pro football stars. Statistical leaders and championship winners go under the spotlight in a fun to read and visually interesting examination of the player's outstanding career. Each title in this series includes color photos throughout, and back matter including: an index and further reading lists for books and internet resources. Key Icons appear throughout the books in this series in an effort to encourage library readers to build knowledge, gain awareness, explore possibilities and expand their viewpoints through our content rich non-fiction books. Key Icons in this series are as follows: Words to Understand are shown at the front of each chapter with definitions. These words are set in boldfaced type in that chapter, so that readers are able to reference back to the definitions--building their vocabulary and enhancing their reading comprehension. Sidebars are highlighted graphics with content rich material within that allows readers to build knowledge and broaden their perspectives by weaving together additional information to provide realistic and holistic perspectives. Text-Dependent Questions are placed at the end of each chapter. They challenge the reader's comprehension of the chapter they have just read, while sending the reader back to the text for more careful attention to the evidence presented there. Research Projects are provided at the end of each chapter as well and provide readers with suggestions for projects that encourage deeper research and analysis. And a Series Glossary of Key Terms is included in the back matter containing terminology used throughout the series. Words found here broaden the reader's knowledge and understanding of terms used in this field.

Julio Jones has quickly risen to the top of the league as one of the best wide receivers to ever pay the game. Jones was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons with the 6th overall pick in 2011 in a draft that produced one of the richest talent pools in recent NFL history including Cam Newton, Von Miller, A.J. Green, and two of the best cornerbacks in the league, Richard Sherman and Patrick Peterson. Having played in the 2010 BCS National Championship game for the University of Alabama, Jones also had the opportunity to compete for a league championship in the NFL, making it to Super Bowl LI in 2017 with his Atlanta Falcons teammates. Although his team lost in a thrilling matchup against the New England Patriots, Julio Jones displayed all the attributes of a champion and is destined for greatness as his NFL Career progresses. Julio Jones has used his celebrity to become a spokesperson for causes that he believes in, such as social justice and first amendment rights. A seemingly soft-spoken person, Jones invites little by way of personal controversy as he seeks to be thoughtful in his actions and let his play on the gridiron speak volumes for his character and the type of person he has become. Each book in the Gridiron Greats series takes a close-up look at some of the very best of today's pro football stars. Statistical leaders and championship winners go under the spotlight in a fun to read and visually interesting examination of the player's outstanding career.

Von Miller has met all the requirements for becoming one of the NFL's great outside linebackers. Miller was selected by the Denver Broncos with the number 2 overall pick in the 2011 NFL Draft. The six-time Pro Bowler has been named to three All-Pro Teams. Miller was the star of Super Bowl 50, recording 5 tackles and 2.5 sacks to earn Super Bowl MVP honors. Whether he is starring on the gridiron or sharing his wisdom and humor on television through his national commercials, Miller brings intensity, skill, and passion to whatever he is doing. His play on the field is reminiscent of some of the game's greatest linebackers, like Ray Nitschke, Dick Butkus, and Mike Singletary, all of whom are NFL Hall-of-Famers. Miller may be joining them in the Hall someday. Each book in the Gridiron Greats series takes a close-up look at some of the very best of today's pro football stars. Statistical leaders and championship winners go under the spotlight in a fun to read and visually interesting examination of the player's outstanding career.

New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara seemed destined for greatness when he was named the best high school football player in the state of Georgia and then had two great years playing for the University of Tennessee. Despite an impressive performance at the NFL Combine, Kamara fell into the third-round at the 2017 NFL Draft. Undeterred, he made a name for himself in his rookie year with the Saints with a series of breakout performances, culminating in winning 2017 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year. Learn how Kamara overcame the many obstacles before him to become one of the best running backs in the NFL today. Each book in the Gridiron Greats series gives you the reader a close-up look at some of the very best of today's NFL stars. The statistical leaders and championship winners go under the spotlight in a fun to read and visually interesting examination of the player's outstanding career.

Tom Brady is a study in longevity, consistency, and greatness. He has played eighteen seasons at quarterback in the NFL for the New England Patriots. During that time, he set thirty different records, has won more regular season games, playoff games, and Super Bowl Championships than any other player in league history. Brady, who was not drafted until the 6th round by New England, made his way from second-string backup quarterback to become a thirteen-time Pro Bowler, two-time league MVP and a five-time Super Bowl champion. The league's most famous player, Brady also has a high profile off the field thanks to his marriage to Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bündchen and a contentious relationship with NFL commissioner Roger Goodell. There is rarely a dull moment when "Tom Terrific" is involved. Each book in the Gridiron Greats series takes a close-up look at some of the very best of today's pro football stars. Statistical leaders and championship winners go under the spotlight in a fun to read and visually interesting examination of the player's outstanding career.

Justin James "J.J." Watt stands a cut above the rest as a three-time AP Defensive Player of the Year, earned in his career as a member of the Houston Texans. A standout player for the University of Wisconsin, Watt has earned honors at all levels of play, including First Team All-American, four-time Pro Bowl Honors, and four-time All-Pro Honors. Watt also led the league in sacks twice (2012, 2015). The true measure of J.J. Watt's dedication and star power came in the wake of the devastation caused by Hurricane Harvey and its impact on Houston-area residents in August 2017. Watt raised an amazing $37 million in disaster relief as part of a public appeal for assistance. Both on and off the field, J.J. Watt has proven to be simply great. Each book in the Gridiron Greats series takes a close-up look at some of the very best of today's pro football stars. Statistical leaders and championship winners go under the spotlight in a fun to read and visually interesting examination of the player's outstanding career.

Few quarterbacks have accomplished what Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson has been able to in the short period of time since being drafted in 2012. One of the shortest quarterbacks in the league, he is considered one of its biggest stars, having already made two Super Bowl appearances, and won one championship. Wilson, a multi-sport star in high school and college, considered a career as a second baseman in Major League Baseball (he was drafted in 2010 by the Colorado Rockies) before deciding to make football his focus. He took over as the Seahawks starter in 2012 and has not missed a start since. The Super Bowl champion is on pace to becoming one of the very best quarterbacks the league has ever seen-short in stature, larger than life! Each book in the Gridiron Greats series takes a close-up look at some of the very best of today's pro football stars. Statistical leaders and championship winners go under the spotlight in a fun to read and visually interesting examination of the player's outstanding career.

It is not too soon to think about placing Rob Gronkowski's name on the list of great tight ends in NFL history. He has been one of the most feared and dominant players at the position since his first snap for the New England Patriots in 2010. If he can stay healthy, Gronkowski will need just a few more years to truly establish himself as the best tight end the game has ever seen. Since coming into the league, Gronkowski has won two Super Bowl championships (Super Bowl XLVI and Super Bowl XLIX), been selected to five Pro Bowls and is a four-time NFL All-Pro. He has set numerous records for his position on the field and is one of the league's most outlandish personalities off the field. Each book in the Gridiron Greats series takes a close-up look at some of the very best of today's pro football stars. Statistical leaders and championship winners go under the spotlight in a fun to read and visually interesting examination of the player's outstanding career.

Todd Gurley was a standout high school player who was given the opportunity to take his talents to the University of Georgia in Athens, GA. Gurley made the jump to the NFL after his junior year at Georgia, and went 10th overall to the St. Louis Rams in the 2015 NFL draft. From the moment he stepped on to the gridiron, Gurley brought a spark of life to the running game of the (now Los Angeles) Rams. Gurley was voted to three Pro Bowls (2015, 2017, 2018), and led the league in rushing touchdowns in back-to-back seasons in 2017 and 2018. Next he hopes to win a Super Bowl ring! Each book in the Gridiron Greats series gives you the reader a close-up look at some of the very best of today's NFL stars. The statistical leaders and championship winners go under the spotlight in a fun to read and visually interesting examination of the player's outstanding career.

Khalil Mack was born to be a linebacker. After a stellar four-year career at the State University of New York at Buffalo and an All-MAC conference selection, the Oakland Raiders took him with the fifth selection of the 2014 NFL draft. As a member of the Oakland Raiders Mack established himself as a fearsome pass rusher. His ability to rush the quarterback and disrupt offenses led to a Defensive Player of the Year award in 2016 and four Pro Bowl selections (2015 — 2018). The 2018 selection came after a trade to Chicago, where Mack continues to wreak havoc in opposing backfields for the Bears. Each book in the Gridiron Greats series gives you the reader a close-up look at some of the very best of today's NFL stars. The statistical leaders and championship winners go under the spotlight in a fun to read and visually interesting examination of the player's outstanding career.

Aaron Donald is a native of Pittsburgh, PA, where he starred on the offensive and defensive sides of the football. His efforts earned him all-state honors in the sport and a chance to play for his hometown college, the University of Pittsburgh. An All-American caliber career at Pitt led to the St. Louis Rams selecting him with the thirteenth pick in the 2014 NFL draft. As a Ram, Donald has become one of the most feared defensive tackles in the NFL, with an amazing ability to terrorize quarterbacks and produce tackles for loss. His All-Pro level play has helped rebuild the defense to turn the team into a Super Bowl contender. Each book in the Gridiron Greats series gives you the reader a close-up look at some of the very best of today's NFL stars. The statistical leaders and championship winners go under the spotlight in a fun-to-read and visually interesting examination of the player's outstanding career.

The sheer athleticism of Odell Beckham Jr. has helped him capture the NFL like few star athletes ever have. His leaping one-handed touchdown catch against the Dallas Cowboys in 2014 brought Beckham Jr. onto every sports fan's radar. Beckham Jr. was chosen by the New York Giants in the 1st round of the 2014 NFL Draft. Once he stepped onto the field for the first time as a professional, his dynamic play and personality captivated the league and its fans. OBJ is one of the most exciting players in the NFL. In 2019, he was traded to the Cleveland Browns with aspirations to turn around the fortunes of that long-suffering franchise. Each book in the Gridiron Greats series takes a close-up look at some of the very best of today's pro football stars. Statistical leaders and championship winners go under the spotlight in a fun to read and visually interesting examination of the player's outstanding career.

Super Bowl XLIV champion Drew Brees is one of the greatest passing quarterbacks in the history of the NFL. In a career that began as a signal caller for the San Diego Chargers in 2001 and has culminated in Brees becoming only the third quarterback in league history to pass for more than 70,000 yards, he has been a top performer and standout QB as leader of the New Orleans Saints since 2006. A native of Austin, TX, Brees was the 32nd overall pick in the second round of the 2001 NFL Draft after his college career at Purdue University. Off the field, Brees has embraced the community of New Orleans, giving generously of his time to various local causes. He is a father of four and the author of the book, Coming Back Stronger: Unleashing the Hidden Power of Adversity. Each book in the Gridiron Greats series gives you the reader a close-up look at some of the very best of today's pro football stars. Statistical leaders and championship winners go under the spotlight in a fun to read and visually interesting examination of the player's outstanding career.