Do you think you know the history of the number 2 jersey in the NFL? While not as flashy as numbers 1 or 7, the number 2 has been worn by some of the most clutch and iconic players ever to take the field. From early-era legends to modern-day superstars, this number has been a go-to for quarterbacks, kickers, and even defensive backs.
This article dives into the careers of the greatest players to wear the number 2. We’ll explore the trailblazers who made the number famous and the current stars who are cementing its legacy. Get ready to discover which players truly made a difference with this unique jersey, and why the number 2 holds a special place in the history of the game.
The Most Significant NFL Jersey 2 wearers in history
Who are the best NFL players to wear jersey number 2? Hall of Fame players like Paddy Driscoll and star QB Matt Ryan are widely considered the greatest, alongside early pioneers like Charley Trippi, Ted Nesser, Walt Kiesling, and Guy Chamberlin, along with modern superstars like Amari Cooper and Patrick Surtain II.
Here are some Legendary players who wore the NFL jersey number 2:
Paddy Driscoll
Paddy Driscoll was one of the early studs of the NFL. He started his football fame at Northwestern and then played for pre-NFL pro teams such as the Hammond All-Stars (1917) and Hammond Pros (1919). During WWI, he played for the Chicago-based Great Lakes Navy Bluejackets, who won the Rose Bowl in 1918 along with George Halas. After the War, Driscoll became the centerpiece of the NFL’s Racine/Chicago Cardinals teams of the early to mid-1920s. Check out more on our full bio page of this legend.
Guy Chamberlin
Guy Chamberlin was a very good player, but he was an even better head coach and tactician. This is evident in that the teams he coached were NFL Champions in multiple seasons of the early NFL.
1921 – Chicago Staleys
1922 – Canton Bulldogs
1923 – Canton Bulldogs
1924 – Cleveland Bulldogs
1926 – Frankford Yellow Jackets
Ted Nesser
Ted Nesser was a pioneering professional football player and coach who spent his career with several Ohio League and early NFL teams, most notably the Columbus Panhandles (1904, 1907–1921), Massillon Tigers (1904–1906), Shelby Blues (1904), Akron Indians (1913), and Canton Professionals (1914). He never attended college, entering the professional ranks directly and eventually becoming the first of the famous Nesser brothers to earn money playing the sport. Among his many career milestones, Nesser won three consecutive Ohio state championships with Massillon, originated revolutionary plays such as the short kickoff and triple pass, and made history in 1921 when he and his son Charlie became the only father-son duo to ever play together in an NFL game.
Charley Trippi
Charley Trippi was a versatile football legend who played his entire professional career with the Chicago Cardinals from 1947 to 1955 after playing college football at the University of Georgia. As a “quintuple-threat” player, he achieved the unique milestone of being the only Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee to record at least 1,000 career yards in rushing, passing, and receiving. Trippi’s illustrious career was highlighted by an NFL Championship in his 1947 rookie season, two Pro Bowl selections, and his enshrinement into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1968.
Here are a dozen that we have chosen as some of the best who have ever worn the number 2 on their jersey.
Matt Ryan
Former quarterback Matt Ryan developed his talents playing college football at Boston College before entering the NFL. He spent the bulk of his professional career with the Atlanta Falcons (2008–2021), later finishing his playing days with the Indianapolis Colts (2022). Throughout his stellar career, his major milestones included winning the 2016 NFL Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year awards, earning four Pro Bowl nods, and amassing over 62,000 career passing yards, placing him among the league’s all-time top ten passers. [Source]
Aaron Brooks
Aaron Brooks played college football as a quarterback for the University of Virginia before being drafted into the NFL. During his professional career, he spent his rookie season with the Green Bay Packers (1999), played the majority of his career with the New Orleans Saints (2000–2005), and concluded his playing days with the Oakland Raiders (2006). Among his most notable career milestones, Brooks led the Saints to their first-ever franchise playoff victory in 2000 and was later inducted into the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame in 2014 for his accomplishments, which included previously setting the franchise records for regular season and career touchdown passes.[Source]
Doug Flutie
After winning the 1984 Heisman Trophy as a standout quarterback for Boston College, Doug Flutie embarked on a 21-season professional football career spanning the USFL, NFL, and CFL. He took the field for the New Jersey Generals (1985), Chicago Bears (1986–1987), New England Patriots (1987–1989, 2005), BC Lions (1990–1991), Calgary Stampeders (1992–1995), Toronto Argonauts (1996–1997), Buffalo Bills (1998–2000), and San Diego Chargers (2001–2004). Among his numerous career milestones, Flutie achieved legendary status in Canada with three Grey Cup championships and a record six CFL Most Outstanding Player awards, later returning to the NFL to earn a Pro Bowl selection and the 1998 NFL Comeback Player of the Year honor. [Source]
Patrick Surtain II
Cornerback – Denver Broncos (2021-2026) – 3x All-Pro, 4x Pro Bowl
Cookie Gilchrist
Fullback – Buffalo Bills (1962-1964), Denver Broncos (1965, 1967), Miami Dolphins (1966) – 4x All-Pro (All-AFL), 4x Pro Bowl (AFL All-Star)
Amari Cooper
Wide Receiver – Oakland/Las Vegas Raiders (2015-2018), Dallas Cowboys (2018-2021), Cleveland Browns (2022-2024), Buffalo Bills (2024) – 5x Pro Bowl
Bradley Chubb
Linebacker – Denver Broncos (2018-2022), Miami Dolphins (2022-2025), Buffalo Bills (2026) – 2x Pro Bowl
David Akers
After playing college football for the University of Louisville, David Akers established a celebrated NFL career as a placekicker, most notably spending over a decade with the Philadelphia Eagles (1999–2010). In addition to his time in Philadelphia, his professional tenure included stints with the Washington Redskins (1998), the San Francisco 49ers (2011–2012), and the Detroit Lions (2013). Over his career, Akers achieved numerous milestones, including becoming the Eagles’ all-time leading scorer, earning six Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections, making the NFL 2000s All-Decade Team, and famously tying the NFL record for the longest field goal with a 63-yard kick in 2012. [Source]
Hinkey Haines
Halfback – New York Giants (1925-1928), Staten Island Stapletons (1929, 1931) – 0
Nick Harris
Punter – Cincinnati Bengals (2001-2003), Detroit Lions (2003-2010, 2012), Jacksonville Jaguars (2011) – 0
Mason Crosby
Placekicker – Green Bay Packers (2007-2022), New York Giants (2023) – 0 Pro Bowls, 0 All-Pros
Steve Christie
Placekicker – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1990-1991), Buffalo Bills (1992-2000), San Diego Chargers (2001-2003), New York Giants (2004) – 0 Pro Bowls, 1 All-Pro
Rob Bironas
Placekicker – Tennessee Titans (2005-2013) – 1 Pro Bowl, 1 All-Pro
Walt Kiesling
Guard – Duluth Eskimos (1926-1927), Pottsville Maroons (1928), Chicago Cardinals (1929-1933), Chicago Bears (1934), Green Bay Packers (1935-1936), Pittsburgh Pirates (1937-1938) – 4x All-Pro
Nick Folk
Placekicker – Dallas Cowboys (2007-2009), New York Jets (2010-2016, 2025), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2017), New England Patriots (2019-2022), Tennessee Titans (2023-2024), Atlanta Falcons (2026) – 1x Pro Bowl
Darius Slay
Cornerback – Detroit Lions (2013-2019), Philadelphia Eagles (2020-2025) – 1x All-Pro, 6x Pro Bowl
Dustin Colquitt
Punter – Kansas City Chiefs (2005-2019), Pittsburgh Steelers (2020), Jacksonville Jaguars (2020), Atlanta Falcons (2021), Cleveland Browns (2021) – 2 Pro Bowls, 0 All-Pros
Rayshawn Jenkins
Safety – Los Angeles Chargers (2017-2020), Jacksonville Jaguars (2021-2023), Seattle Seahawks (2024), Cleveland Browns (2025), Pittsburgh Steelers (2026) – 0
D.J. Moore
Wide Receiver – Carolina Panthers (2018-2022), Chicago Bears (2023-2025), Buffalo Bills (2026) – 0
Shipwreck Kelly
Halfback – New York Giants (1932), Brooklyn Dodgers (1933-1937) – 0
Todd Peterson
Placekicker – Arizona Cardinals (1994), Seattle Seahawks (1995-1999), Kansas City Chiefs (2000-2001), Pittsburgh Steelers (2002), San Francisco 49ers (2003-2004), Atlanta Falcons (2005) – 0 Pro Bowls, 0 All-Pros
Tim Couch
Quarterback – Cleveland Browns (1999-2003) – 0 Pro Bowls, 0 All-Pros
Mike Horan
Punter – Philadelphia Eagles (1984-1985), Denver Broncos (1986-1992), New York Giants (1993-1996), St. Louis Rams (1997, 1999), Chicago Bears (1998) – 1 Pro Bowl, 1 All-Pro
Darren Bennett
Punter – San Diego Chargers (1994-2003), Minnesota Vikings (2004-2005) – 2 Pro Bowls, 1 All-Pro
Brandon Fields
Punter – Miami Dolphins (2007-2014), New Orleans Saints (2015) – 1x All-Pro, 1x Pro Bowl
Conclusion
Ultimately, the story behind the NFL jersey number 2 is one of versatility, tradition, and a recent resurgence of star power. From Hall of Famers like Charley Trippi in the league’s earliest days to modern icons like MVP Matt Ryan, the number has been worn by difference-makers at nearly every position.
Relaxed number rules have only added to the legacy, bringing more big names to the two-spot. Whether it’s a quarterback, kicker, or cornerback, the best players in history who wore it continue to make this oft-overlooked single-digit jersey a symbol of elite performance. Whose No. 2 jersey will you be rocking next?
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.
The list of NFL players at each jersey number is a fascinating topic. Perhaps you may want to know who wore the number 1 jersey.
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