The Top NFL Players Who Wore Jersey Number 5

Seeking the best players to have ever worn the #5 jersey in the NFL? This number has been a go-to for some of the game’s most influential and iconic quarterbacks, from Hall of Famers to Super Bowl champions. Our list honors the incredible talent who defined a generation of football. We’ll explore the legacy of these legendary signal-callers and their impact on the game. Did your favorite quarterback cut? Read on to find out who we’ve crowned the all-time king of the number 5 jersey in NFL history.

Legends of NFL Jersey Number 5

Paul Hornung

After a standout collegiate career at the University of Notre Dame, where he won the 1956 Heisman Trophy, Paul Hornung was selected first overall in the 1957 NFL Draft. Known affectionately as “The Golden Boy,” he spent his entire active playing career with the Green Bay Packers (1957–1962 and 1964–1966), serving as a remarkably versatile halfback and placekicker for Vince Lombardi’s legendary dynasty. Throughout his illustrious career, Hornung achieved numerous major milestones, including winning four NFL Championships, earning the 1961 NFL MVP award, and famously setting a long-standing league record by scoring 176 points in a single 12-game season before being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1986.

Paul Hornung

Donovan McNabb

Donovan McNabb played collegiate football at Syracuse University before embarking on a 13-year NFL career. He spent the vast majority of his professional career with the Philadelphia Eagles (1999–2009), followed by brief, single-season stints with the Washington Redskins (2010) and the Minnesota Vikings (2011). Throughout his time in the league, McNabb achieved numerous career milestones, including six Pro Bowl selections, leading the Eagles to five NFC Championship games and an appearance in Super Bowl XXXIX, and retiring as Philadelphia’s all-time franchise leader in passing yards and passing touchdowns. [Source]

Joe Flacco

Joe Flacco is a distinguished NFL quarterback who played college football at Pittsburgh and Delaware before beginning his professional career. Over the years, he has played for the Baltimore Ravens (2008–2018), Denver Broncos (2019), New York Jets (2020, 2021–2022), Philadelphia Eagles (2021), Cleveland Browns (2023, 2025), Indianapolis Colts (2024), and Cincinnati Bengals (2025–present). His standout career milestones include winning Super Bowl XLVII as the game’s MVP, tying the NFL record for the most passing touchdowns in a single postseason (11), and earning the 2023 NFL Comeback Player of the Year award.

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Kerry Collins

Kerry Collins played college football at Penn State before embarking on a 17-season NFL career, during which he amassed 40,922 passing yards and 208 touchdowns. Selected fifth overall in the 1995 NFL Draft, he played for the Carolina Panthers (1995–1998), New Orleans Saints (1998), New York Giants (1999–2003), Oakland Raiders (2004–2005), Tennessee Titans (2006–2010), and Indianapolis Colts (2011). Notable milestones during his professional career include earning two Pro Bowl selections (1996, 2008) and leading the Giants to an appearance in Super Bowl XXXV. [Source]

George McAfee

After a standout collegiate career at Duke University, George McAfee was drafted by the Chicago Bears, where he spent his entire professional career playing from 1940 to 1941, and again from 1945 to 1950 following his service in World War II. Known affectionately as “One-Play McAfee” for his explosive speed and versatility as both a halfback and defensive back, he was instrumental in leading the Bears to three NFL Championships (1940, 1941, and 1946). He still holds the all-time NFL record for career punt return average at 12.78 yards per return and cemented his legendary status with his induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1966.

George McAfee: One-Play McAfee

Bob MacLeod

Bob MacLeod was a standout college football player for the Dartmouth Big Green, earning consensus All-American honors in 1938 and finishing fourth in that season’s Heisman Trophy voting. Drafted fifth overall in the 1939 NFL Draft, his professional football career was brief, playing in nine games as a halfback for the Chicago Bears during the 1939 season before leaving the sport to serve as a Marine Corps pilot in World War II. In recognition of his exceptional collegiate milestones, MacLeod was later inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1977.

Bob MacLeod: Dartmouth and Chicago Bears Star

Morten Andersen

Kicker – New Orleans Saints (1982–1994), Atlanta Falcons (1995–2000), New York Giants (2001), Kansas City Chiefs (2002–2003), Minnesota Vikings (2004), Atlanta Falcons (2006–2007) – 6-time All-Pro, 7-time Pro Bowl

Jeff Garcia

Quarterback – San Francisco 49ers (1999–2003), Cleveland Browns (2004), Detroit Lions (2005), Philadelphia Eagles (2006), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2007–2008), Philadelphia Eagles (2009), Houston Texans (2011) – 4-time Pro Bowl

Pat Leahy

Placekicker – New York Jets (1974–1991) – 1-time All-Pro

Jayden Daniels

Quarterback – Washington Commanders (2024–present) – 1-time Pro Bowl

David Montgomery

Running Back – Chicago Bears (2019–2022), Detroit Lions (2023–present) – 0 All-Pro or Pro Bowl selections

Tyrod Taylor

Quarterback – Baltimore Ravens (2011–2014), Buffalo Bills (2015–2017), Cleveland Browns (2018), Los Angeles Chargers (2019–2020), Houston Texans (2021), New York Giants (2022–2023), New York Jets (2024–2025), Green Bay Packers (2026–present) – 1-time Pro Bowl

Matt Prater

Placekicker – Atlanta Falcons (2007), Denver Broncos (2007–2014), Detroit Lions (2014–2020), Arizona Cardinals (2021–2024), Buffalo Bills (2025) – 2 Pro Bowls, 1 All-Pro

George Franck

George “Sonny” Franck showcased his exceptional athleticism as a halfback at the University of Minnesota before being drafted sixth overall in the first round of the 1941 NFL Draft. He spent his entire professional playing career with the New York Giants, taking the field during the 1941 and 1945 through 1947 seasons, with a notable hiatus in between to serve his country as a fighter pilot in World War II. Despite his abbreviated time in the NFL, Franck reached several solid milestones as a two-way player, amassing 1,042 yards from scrimmage, scoring eight offensive touchdowns, and recording four defensive interceptions.

George Franck

Sean Landeta

Punter – New York Giants (1985–1993, 2006), Los Angeles / St. Louis Rams (1993–1996, 2003–2004), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1997), Green Bay Packers (1998), Philadelphia Eagles (1999–2002, 2005) – 2 Pro Bowls, 3 All-Pro

Teddy Bridgewater

Quarterback – Minnesota Vikings (2014–2017), New Orleans Saints (2018–2019), Carolina Panthers (2020), Denver Broncos (2021), Miami Dolphins (2022), Detroit Lions (2023–2024), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2025) – 1 Pro Bowl, 0 All-Pro

Josh Freeman

Quarterback – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2009–2013), Minnesota Vikings (2013), Indianapolis Colts (2015) – 0 Pro Bowls, 0 All-Pro

Craig Colquitt

Punter – Pittsburgh Steelers (1978–1981, 1983–1984), Indianapolis Colts (1987) – 0 Pro Bowls, 0 All-Pro – 2-TIME Super Bowl Champion!

Dan Bailey

Placekicker – Dallas Cowboys (2011–2017), Minnesota Vikings (2018–2020) – 1 Pro Bowl, 1 All-Pro

Tee Higgins

Wide Receiver – Cincinnati Bengals (2020–2025) – 1 Pro Bowl, 0 All-Pro

Garrett Wilson

Wide Receiver – New York Jets (2022–present) – 0

Blake Bortles

Quarterback – Jacksonville Jaguars (2014–2018), Los Angeles Rams (2019) – 0 All-Pro or Pro Bowl selections

Mike Scifres

Punter – San Diego Chargers (2003–2015), Carolina Panthers (2016) – 0

Vince Ferragamo

Quarterback – Los Angeles Rams (1977–1980, 1982–1984), Buffalo Bills (1985), Green Bay Packers (1985–1986) – 0

Donnie Jones

Punter – Seattle Seahawks (2004), Miami Dolphins (2005–2006), St. Louis Rams (2007–2011), Houston Texans (2012), Philadelphia Eagles (2013–2017), Los Angeles Chargers (2018) – 2 (All-Pro)

Fred Nesser

End / Fullback / Tackle – Columbus Panhandles (1909–1921) – 0

Greg Davis

Kicker – Atlanta Falcons (1987–1990), New England Patriots (1989), Phoenix/Arizona Cardinals (1991–1996), Minnesota Vikings (1997), San Diego Chargers (1997), Oakland Raiders (1998) – 0

Harmon Wages

Running Back – Atlanta Falcons (1968–1971, 1973) – 0

Trent Edwards

Quarterback – Buffalo Bills (2007–2010), Jacksonville Jaguars (2010), Philadelphia Eagles (2012) – 0

Roman Gabriel

Roman Gabriel began his national spotlight playing college football for NC State before embarking on a remarkable 16-year career in the National Football League. As a professional, he spent his first 11 seasons leading the Los Angeles Rams (1962–1972), followed by an additional five seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles (1973–1977). A true pioneer as the first Filipino-American quarterback in the NFL, Gabriel’s defining career milestones include being crowned the 1969 NFL MVP, winning the 1973 NFL Comeback Player of the Year, and earning four Pro Bowl selections

Roman Gabriel

Terry Hanratty

Terry Hanratty made his mark as a standout quarterback at the University of Notre Dame, where he led the Fighting Irish to a national championship in 1966 and earned consensus All-American honors in 1968. After being selected in the second round of the 1969 NFL Draft, he spent the majority of his professional career with the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1969 to 1975, earning two Super Bowl rings (IX and X) as part of their emerging dynasty. He subsequently concluded his NFL journey by playing one final season for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1976.

Conclusion

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.