The Top NFL Players Who Wore Jersey Number 4

Until recently, the number 4 jersey in the NFL was reserved for quarterbacks and special-teams kickers, but not anymore. A wide array of players, from defensive linemen to receivers, proudly wear the Number 4 on their backs.

Who are some of the best to have ever donned the jersey 4 in Pro Football? Check out this list of legends.

The Greatest Pro Football Players To Wear Jersey 4

In this edition of our jersey number countdown, we are listing the top players in NFL history who have worn the Jersey Number 4.

Brett Favre

A product of Southern Miss, Brett Favre began his NFL journey with the Atlanta Falcons (1991) before cementing his legacy with the Green Bay Packers (1992-2007), and later starting for the New York Jets (2008) and Minnesota Vikings (2009-2010). Known as the ultimate ironman, Favre’s monumental career milestones include winning Super Bowl XXXI and becoming the only player in history to win three consecutive NFL MVP awards (1995-1997). His legendary durability and record-breaking passing statistics resulted in 321 consecutive starts and a 2016 induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Brett Favre

Tuffy Leemans

legendary back Tuffy Leemans transitioned from George Washington University to spend his entire professional career with the New York Giants (1936–1943). Leemans made an immediate impact by leading the league in rushing yards as a rookie, ultimately securing an NFL Championship in 1938 and earning enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978.

Tuffy Leemans

Jim Harbaugh

Jim Harbaugh transitioned from starring at the University of Michigan to a gritty 15-year NFL career, taking snaps for the Chicago Bears (1987-1993), Indianapolis Colts (1994-1997), Baltimore Ravens (1998), San Diego Chargers (1999-2000), and Carolina Panthers (2001). His most celebrated professional milestone occurred during the 1995 season, where he led the Colts to the AFC Championship Game, earned a Pro Bowl selection, and was named the NFL Comeback Player of the Year. He was later inducted into the Indianapolis Colts Ring of Honor to recognize his memorable leadership under center.

Jason Pierre-Paul

After starring at the University of South Florida, defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul embarked on a decorated NFL career, playing for the New York Giants (2010–2017), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2018–2021), Baltimore Ravens (2022), New Orleans Saints (2023), and Miami Dolphins (2023). He established himself as a premier pass rusher, earning three Pro Bowl selections, a First-team All-Pro nod in 2011, and capturing two Super Bowl championships (XLVI and LV).

Ernie Nevers

After a legendary collegiate career at Stanford, Ernie Nevers entered the NFL and played for the Duluth Eskimos (1926-1927) before finishing his professional tenure with the Chicago Cardinals (1929-1931). His ultimate career milestone came on Thanksgiving Day in 1929 when he scored an NFL-record 40 points in a single game against the Bears—a record that still stands today. Nevers’ dominance as a bruising fullback ultimately earned him a spot as a charter member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1963.

Ernie Nevers: The Big Dog of American Football

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Jason Hanson

Placekicker – Detroit Lions (1992-2012) – 2x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro

Tyler Lockett

Wide Receiver – Seattle Seahawks (2015-2025) – 1x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro

Adam Vinatieri

Placekicker – New England Patriots (1996-2005), Indianapolis Colts (2006-2019) – HOF – 3x Pro Bowl, 3x All-Pro

Derek Carr

Quarterback – Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders (2014-2022), New Orleans Saints (2023-2024) – 4x Pro Bowl, 0x All-Pro

John Kasay

Placekicker – Seattle Seahawks (1991-1994), Carolina Panthers (1995-2010), New Orleans Saints (2011) – 1x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro

Dak Prescott

Quarterback – Dallas Cowboys (2016-2025) – 4x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro

D.K. Metcalf

Wide Receiver – Seattle Seahawks (2019-2024), Pittsburgh Steelers (2025-2026) – 2x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro

Dalvin Cook

Running Back – Minnesota Vikings (2017-2022), New York Jets (2023), Baltimore Ravens (2023), Dallas Cowboys (2024) – 4x Pro Bowl, 0x All-Pro

Deshaun Watson

Quarterback – Houston Texans (2017-2020), Cleveland Browns (2022-2024) – 3x Pro Bowl, 0x All-Pro

Phil Dawson

Placekicker – Cleveland Browns (1999-2012), San Francisco 49ers (2013-2016), Arizona Cardinals (2017-2018) – 1x Pro Bowl, 2x All-Pro

James Cook

Running Back – Buffalo Bills (2022-2025) – 3x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro

Andy Lee

Punter – San Francisco 49ers (2004-2014), Cleveland Browns (2015), Carolina Panthers (2016), Arizona Cardinals (2017-2022) – 3x Pro Bowl, 4x All-Pro

Sam Koch

Punter – Baltimore Ravens (2006-2021) – 1x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro

Steve Fuller

Quarterback – Kansas City Chiefs (1979-1982), Los Angeles Rams (1983), Chicago Bears (1984-1986) – 0x Pro Bowl, 0x All-Pro

Bryan Barker

Punter – Kansas City Chiefs (1990-1993), Philadelphia Eagles (1994), Jacksonville Jaguars (1995-2000), Washington Redskins (2001-2003), Green Bay Packers (2004), St. Louis Rams (2005) – 1x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro

Dean Biasucci

Placekicker – Indianapolis Colts (1984-1994), St. Louis Rams (1995) – 1x Pro Bowl, 2x All-Pro

Stephen Hauschka

Placekicker – Baltimore Ravens (2008-2009), Denver Broncos (2010), Seattle Seahawks (2011-2016), Buffalo Bills (2017-2019), Jacksonville Jaguars (2020) – 0x Pro Bowl, 0x All-Pro

Reggie Roby

Punter – Miami Dolphins (1983-1992), Washington Redskins (1993-1994), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1995), Houston/Tennessee Oilers (1996-1997), San Francisco 49ers (1998) – 3x Pro Bowl, 3x All-Pro

Mike Bragg

Punter – Washington Redskins (1968-1979), Baltimore Colts (1980) – 0x Pro Bowl, 0x All-Pro

Mike Saxon

Punter – Dallas Cowboys (1985-1992), New England Patriots (1993), Minnesota Vikings (1994-1995) – 0x Pro Bowl, 0x All-Pro

Britton Colquitt

Punter – Denver Broncos (2009-2015), Cleveland Browns (2016-2018), Minnesota Vikings (2019-2020) – 0x Pro Bowl, 0x All-Pro

Dan Stryzinski

Punter – Pittsburgh Steelers (1990-1991), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1992-1994), Atlanta Falcons (1995-2000), Kansas City Chiefs (2001-2002), New York Jets (2003) – 0x Pro Bowl, 0x All-Pro

Steve Walsh

Quarterback – Dallas Cowboys (1989-1990), New Orleans Saints (1990-1993), Chicago Bears (1994-1995), St. Louis Rams (1996), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1997-1998), Indianapolis Colts (1999) – 0x Pro Bowl, 0x All-Pro

Brad Maynard

Punter – New York Giants (1997-2000), Chicago Bears (2001-2010), Cleveland Browns (2011) – 0x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro

Josh Miller

Punter – Pittsburgh Steelers (1996-2003), New England Patriots (2004-2006), Tennessee Titans (2007) – 0x Pro Bowl, 0x All-Pro

Max Runager

Punter – Philadelphia Eagles (1979-1983, 1989), San Francisco 49ers (1984-1988), Cleveland Browns (1988) – 0x Pro Bowl, 0x All-Pro

Jay Feely

Placekicker – Atlanta Falcons (2001-2004), New York Giants (2005-2006), Miami Dolphins (2007), New York Jets (2008-2009), Arizona Cardinals (2010-2013), Chicago Bears (2014) – 1x Pro Bowl, 0x All-Pro

Randy Bullock

Placekicker – Houston Texans (2012-2015), New York Jets (2015), New York Giants (2016, 2023), Pittsburgh Steelers (2016), Cincinnati Bengals (2016-2020), Tennessee Titans (2021-2022) – 0x Pro Bowl, 0x All-Pro

Toby Gowin

Punter – Dallas Cowboys (1997-1999, 2003), New Orleans Saints (2000-2002), New York Jets (2004) – 0x Pro Bowl, 0x All-Pro

Ryan Succop

Placekicker – Kansas City Chiefs (2009-2013), Tennessee Titans (2014-2019), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020-2022) – 0x Pro Bowl, 0x All-Pro

Kevin Kolb

Quarterback – Philadelphia Eagles (2007-2010), Arizona Cardinals (2011-2012) – 0x Pro Bowl, 0x All-Pro

Josh Lambo

Placekicker – San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers (2015-2016), Jacksonville Jaguars (2017-2021) – 0x Pro Bowl, 1x All-Pro

Jordan Berry

Punter – Pittsburgh Steelers (2015–2020), Minnesota Vikings (2021) – 0

Conclusion

As we’ve seen, the NFL Jersey 4 has been a badge of honor for some of the most impactful players in football history. From the record-breaking arm of Hall of Famer Brett Favre, who defined a generation of quarterback play, to the clutch kicks of the legendary Adam Vinatieri, this number is synonymous with winning. It’s a compelling debate: does the three-time MVP stand above the four-time Super Bowl champion kicker?

The legacy of the best players in history who wore it continues with modern stars like Dak Prescott and Deshaun Watson, ensuring that the number 4 remains a key part of the NFL narrative. Ultimately, the jersey proves that one number can represent greatness across every position on the field.

Big Thanks to the above-noted sources and to Pro-Football-Reference.com and Newspapers.com to help fill in the blanks. Our goal is to keep making this page better, so if you feel we are missing someone you feel should be added, please let us know at Pi*************@***il.com.

Find more on our legends of the NFL jersey series here.