Greatest Players Who Wore the NFL Jersey 19

Who is the GOAT of Number 19? Unpacking the Legacy of Football’s Most Iconic QBs and Receivers

When you think of the No. 19 jersey in football, you think of game-changers. This number has been graced by legends of the passing game, from the trailblazers of the league’s earliest eras to dynamic modern-day playmakers. The conversation begins with a true icon: Johnny Unitas, whose swagger and skill defined the quarterback position and earned him a Hall of Fame bust while wearing No. 19.

Yet, he has fierce competition! You also have the smooth route-running and blazing speed of Hall of Fame receiver Lance Alworth, the grit of Keyshawn Johnson, and the undeniable talent of current stars like Deebo Samuel and Amari Cooper (who now wears 2), defining the modern legacy of the jersey. Join us as we settle the debate on which player truly reigns supreme in the history of the legendary No. 19.

The Legends Who Wore the Number 19 NFL Jersey

Johnny Unitas

After a standout college career at the University of Louisville, Johnny Unitas established himself as one of the most revolutionary quarterbacks in professional football history. It wasn’t easy though, as he was cut by his hometown Pittsburgh Steelers, before signing in Baltimore. He wore jersey number 19 throughout his entire NFL career, leading the Baltimore Colts from 1956 to 1972 before playing his final season with the San Diego Chargers in 1973. Known as “The Golden Arm,” his major career milestones include three NFL MVP awards, three NFL Championships, a victory in Super Bowl V, and a legendary, decades-long record of throwing a touchdown pass in 47 consecutive games.

Lance Alworth

Lance Alworth played college football at the University of Arkansas before embarking on a legendary professional career as a wide receiver for the San Diego Chargers (1962–1970) and the Dallas Cowboys (1971–1972). He wore jersey number 19 throughout his entire pro career, which included the 1970, 1971, and 1972 seasons officially played in the NFL following the league’s merger with the AFL. Among his most notable career milestones, Alworth was named the 1963 AFL Player of the Year, won Super Bowl VI with the Cowboys, and became the first principally AFL player to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1978.

Keyshawn Johnson

Wide Receiver – New York Jets (1996–1999), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2000–2003), Dallas Cowboys (2004–2005), Carolina Panthers (2006) – 3× Pro Bowl – Wore number 19 during the 1996–2003 and 2006 seasons (wore number 89 with Dallas).

Joe Montana

After playing college football at Notre Dame, Hall of Fame quarterback Joe Montana built a legendary pro career highlighted by four Super Bowl championships with the San Francisco 49ers, where he played from 1979 to 1992. He then concluded his playing days with the Kansas City Chiefs during the 1993 and 1994 seasons. While famously associated with the number 16, Montana notably wore jersey number 19 in the NFL during his two seasons in Kansas City (1993 and 1994), as well as briefly during his 1979 rookie training camp

Bernie Kosar

Quarterback – Cleveland Browns (1985–1993), Dallas Cowboys (1993), Miami Dolphins (1994–1996) – 1× Pro Bowl – Wore number 19 during the 1985–1993 and 1994–1996 seasons (wore number 18 with Dallas).

JuJu Smith-Schuster

Wide Receiver – Pittsburgh Steelers (2017–2021), Kansas City Chiefs (2022, 2024–2025), New England Patriots (2023) – None – Wore number 19 throughout his entire career (2017–2025).

Adam Thielen

Wide Receiver – Minnesota Vikings (2013–2022, 2025), Carolina Panthers (2023–2024), Pittsburgh Steelers (2025) – 2× Pro Bowl, 1× Second-team All-Pro – Wore number 19 during the 2013–2024 seasons (wore number 16 in 2025).

Ted Ginn Jr.

Wide Receiver – Miami Dolphins (2007–2009), San Francisco 49ers (2010–2012), Carolina Panthers (2013, 2015–2016), Arizona Cardinals (2014), New Orleans Saints (2017–2019), Chicago Bears (2020) – None – Wore number 19 throughout his entire career (2007–2020).

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Amari Cooper

Wide Receiver – Oakland Raiders (2015–2018), Dallas Cowboys (2018–2021), Cleveland Browns (2022–2024), Buffalo Bills (2024) – 5× Pro Bowl selections (2015, 2016, 2018, 2019, 2023) – Wore jersey number 19 initially with the Oakland Raiders in 2015 before switching to number 89.

Tom Dempsey

Kicker – New Orleans Saints (1969–1970), Philadelphia Eagles (1971–1974), Los Angeles Rams (1975–1976), Houston Oilers (1977), Buffalo Bills (1978–1979) – 1× Pro Bowl selection (1969) – Wore jersey number 19 with the New Orleans Saints (1969–1970) and the Philadelphia Eagles (1971–1974).

Deebo Samuel

Wide Receiver – San Francisco 49ers (2019-2024, 2026-present), Washington Commanders (2025) – 1 time All-Pro, 1 time Pro Bowl – Wore number 19 in the NFL during the 2019–2023 and 2026 seasons.

Bill Munson

Quarterback – Los Angeles Rams (1964–1967), Detroit Lions (1968–1975), Seattle Seahawks (1976), Buffalo Bills (1976), Minnesota Vikings (1977–1979) – None (No Pro Bowl or All-Pro selections) – Wore jersey number 19 in the NFL (such as with the Detroit Lions).

Cotton Davidson

Quarterback – Baltimore Colts (1954, 1957), Dallas Texans / Kansas City Chiefs (1960–1962), Oakland Raiders (1962–1969) – 1× AFL All-Star (1961) – Wore jersey number 19 during his career with the Oakland Raiders (1962–1969).

Ray Flaherty

End / Coach – New York Yankees (1927–1928), New York Giants (1929, 1931–1935) – 7× First-team All-Pro (1926–1929, 1932–1934), 1× Third-team All-Pro (1931) – Wore jersey number 17 (alongside numbers 20, 11, 6, and 1) during his playing career.

Dutch Clark

Quarterback / Tailback – Portsmouth Spartans (1931–1932), Detroit Lions (1934–1938) – 6× First-team All-Pro (1931–1932, 1934–1937) – Wore jersey number 19 during portions of his career (also wore number 7 with the Detroit Lions, which was retired).

The Bizarre Tale of Hall of Famer Earl “Dutch” Clark

Jack Christiansen

Jack Christiansen played his college football at Colorado A&M before embarking on a Hall of Fame career as a safety and return specialist for the Detroit Lions, where he played his entire professional career from 1951 to 1958. He wore jersey number 19 during his 1951 rookie season before switching to number 24 for the rest of his playing days. Recognized as one of the era’s most dynamic playmakers, Christiansen helped lead the Lions to three NFL championships, earned six First-Team All-Pro selections, and was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1970. While he started his career in number 19, he is best remembered in the number 24 jersey seen below during his championship runs with Detroit.

Mike Michalske

Mike Michalske, a standout guard out of Penn State, began his pro football career with the New York Yankees (1926–1928) before becoming a staple for the Green Bay Packers (1929–1935, 1937). Nicknamed “Iron Mike,” he reached numerous career milestones, including winning three consecutive NFL championships (1929–1931), earning seven First-Team All-Pro selections, and being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1964. Despite his long and storied tenure in Green Bay, Michalske wore jersey number 19 for just a single season in 1932

Guard / Fullback — New York Yankees (1926–1927), Green Bay Packers (1929–1935, 1937) — 7-time First-team All-Pro — Wore number 19 with the Green Bay Packers.

Willie Alexander

Cornerback / Defensive Back — Houston Oilers (1971–1979) — 0 All-Pro or Pro Bowl selections — Wore number 19 for the Houston Oilers (1971–1979).

Josh Sweat

Defensive End / Linebacker — Philadelphia Eagles (2018–2024), Arizona Cardinals (2025–present) — 1-time Pro Bowl selection — Wore number 19 early in his career with the Philadelphia Eagles.

Mike Williams

Wide Receiver – Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2010–2013), Buffalo Bills (2014) – 0 selections (PFWA All-Rookie Team) – Wore number 19: 2010–2013

Scott Mitchell

Quarterback — Miami Dolphins (1990–1993), Detroit Lions (1994–1998), Baltimore Ravens (1999), Cincinnati Bengals (2000–2001) — 0 All-Pro or Pro Bowl selections — Wore number 19 primarily with the Detroit Lions and other stops.

Essex Johnson

Running Back — Cincinnati Bengals (1968–1975), Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1976) — 0 All-Pro or Pro Bowl selections — Wore number 19 throughout his career.

Lance Rentzel

Wide Receiver / Flanker — Minnesota Vikings (1965–1966), Dallas Cowboys (1967–1970), Los Angeles Rams (1971–1974) — 0 Pro Bowl or First-team All-Pro selections (Named Second-team All-Pro once) — Wore number 19 with the Dallas Cowboys.

Miles Austin

Wide Receiver — Dallas Cowboys (2006–2013), Cleveland Browns (2014), Philadelphia Eagles (2015) — 2-time Pro Bowl selection — Wore number 19 during his tenure with the Dallas Cowboys.

Devery Henderson

Wide Receiver – New Orleans Saints (2004–2012), Washington Redskins (2013) – 0 selections – Wore number 19: 2004–2012

Eddie Royal

Wide Receiver / Return Specialist – Denver Broncos (2008–2011), San Diego Chargers (2012–2014), Chicago Bears (2015–2016) – 0 selections (PFWA All-Rookie Team) – Wore number 19: 2008–2011

Kenny Golladay

Wide Receiver – Detroit Lions (2017–2020), New York Giants (2021–2022) – 1 Pro Bowl selection (2019) – Wore number 19: 2017–2022

Jim Nettles

Cornerback / Defensive Back – Philadelphia Eagles (1965–1968), Los Angeles Rams (1969–1972) – 0 selections – Wore number 19: 1965–1972

Calvin Austin III

Wide Receiver – Pittsburgh Steelers (2022–Present) – 0 selections – Wore number 19: 2022–Present

Ernest Wilford

Wide Receiver / Tight End – Jacksonville Jaguars (2004–2007, 2009–2010), Miami Dolphins (2008) – 0 selections – Wore number 19: 2004–2007, 2009

The Golden Standard: Jersey 19’s Enduring Legacy

The number 19 stands as one of the most historically significant jerseys in NFL lore, primarily due to Johnny Unitas, whose era-defining career set the standard for the modern quarterback. While Hall of Fame receiver Lance Alworth and modern stars like Deebo Samuel and Amari Cooper have worn it with distinction, Unitas’s status as the three-time NFL MVP and pioneer of the passing game secures his place atop the list. Ultimately, jersey 19 represents football excellence and leadership, carrying a Pro Football Hall of Fame pedigree that few numbers can match.

We appreciate the information garnered from Pro-Football-Reference.com and NFL.com.