By Darin Hayes 
A Versatile History: The Greatest to Ever Don NFL Jersey Number 25
The number 25 boasts a surprisingly versatile lineage, worn by electrifying receivers, punishing running backs, and lockdown cornerbacks who defined their respective eras. At the top of the list sits Hall of Fame wide receiver Fred Biletnikoff, whose sticky hands and clutch playoff performances secured him a Super Bowl MVP. But the competition is fierce! We analyze the explosive moves of running backs like LeSean McCoy and Jamaal Charles against the legendary toughness of Hall of Famer Tommy McDonald and the outspoken dominance of modern cornerback Richard Sherman. Dive in to discover which multi-talented superstar truly represents the history of the No. 25 jersey!
Who are the top players who have worn the Number 25 in NFL history?
Here is our list of candidates with the most significant impact who also wore the number 25 in an NFL game. The football career bios for players who have worn the number 25:
- Fred Biletnikoff: This Hall of Fame wide receiver played 14 seasons for the Oakland Raiders, caught 589 passes for 8,974 yards, and earned Super Bowl XI MVP honors.
- Norm Van Brocklin: This Hall of Fame quarterback wore No. 25 with the Los Angeles Rams, led the Eagles to the 1960 NFL Championship, and still holds the NFL record for most passing yards in a single game (554).
- Tommy McDonald: A Hall of Fame flanker, he played on the Eagles’ 1960 NFL Championship team, earned six Pro Bowl selections, and retired with 84 receiving touchdowns.
- Richard Sherman: A Super Bowl champion cornerback and three-time First-team All-Pro, he led the NFL in interceptions in 2013 and earned a spot on the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.
- LeSean McCoy: Known as “Shady,” he is the Eagles’ all-time leading rusher, a two-time First-team All-Pro, and led the NFL in rushing yards and yards from scrimmage in 2013.
- Eric Davis: This Super Bowl XXIX champion cornerback made a game-changing interception return for a touchdown in the 1994 NFC Championship and was a two-time Pro Bowl selection.
- Mark Collins: A durable cornerback, he won two Super Bowl championships (XXI, XXV) with the New York Giants and earned First-team All-Pro honors in 1989.
- Haven Moses: A wide receiver who spent 10 seasons with the Denver Broncos, he was a key target who led the team in receiving touchdowns and helped them reach their first Super Bowl (XII).
- Chris Harris Jr.: An undrafted free agent who became a Super Bowl 50 champion, this four-time Pro Bowl cornerback was named First-team All-Pro in 2016 and made the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.
- Jamaal Charles: This explosive running back is the NFL’s all-time career leader in rushing yards per carry (5.4) and retired as the Kansas City Chiefs’ all-time leading rusher.
- Ryan Clark: A hard-hitting safety and Super Bowl XLIII champion with the Pittsburgh Steelers, he earned a Pro Bowl selection in 2011 during his 13-year career.
- Tim Foley: (Insufficient verified information to provide a football career bio for an NFL player named Tim Foley wearing No. 25.)
- Jim Bakken: A four-time Pro Bowl placekicker, he holds the NFL record for most field goals in a single game (7) and was named the NFL Kicker of the Decade for the 1960s.
- Charlie Garner: Known as “Instant Offense,” this versatile Pro Bowl running back rushed for over 7,000 career yards and was known for excelling as an elite receiving back.
- Vencie Glenn: A safety who spent 10 seasons in the NFL, he recorded 35 career interceptions and set a then-San Diego Chargers record with a 103-yard interception return.
- Billy Kinard: A defensive back and halfback in the late 1950s and early 1960s, he later became the head football coach at his alma mater, Ole Miss.
- Walt Kiesling: This Pro Football Hall of Fame guard played for five different NFL teams in the league’s early decades before embarking on a 34-year career as a player, coach, and assistant coach.
Other top players displaying the Jersey 25
- Robert Blackmon
- Jerry Gray
- Scott Case
- Dorsey Levens
- Reggie Tongue
- Will Allen
- Kerry Rhodes
- Louis Oliver
- Nesby Glasgow
- Johnnie Poe
- Kareem Jackson
Conclusion
The number 25 may not have the singular star power of some other jerseys, but its history is defined by remarkable versatility and Hall of Fame excellence across multiple positions. It belongs to legendary receiver and Super Bowl MVP Fred Biletnikoff, dynamic running backs like LeSean McCoy and Jamaal Charles, and lockdown modern cornerbacks such as Richard Sherman and Chris Harris Jr. This jersey symbolizes a tradition of playmakers who were consistently reliable, game-changing threats, cementing No. 25 as a badge of honor for versatile stars throughout every era of the NFL.