The following is a list of the oldest players in NFL history. All players who were at least 45 years old are listed. This is an interesting list of players, especially the non-kicker players, including the oldest player who was both a quarterback and a kicker.
Oldest Players in NFL History
1. George Blanda – 48 years and 109 days
The oldest player in NFL history was George Blanda, who last played in a NFL game at the age of 48 years and 109 days. Blanda’s last game in the NFL was for the Oakland Raiders in the AFC Championship game vs the Pittsburgh Steelers on January 4, 1976.
Blanda kicked one field goal and one PAT in the game, which the Steelers won, 16-10. For his career, George Blanda played 26 seasons in the AFL and NFL combined. He was a quarterback and a kicker, though primarily a kicker from age 40 on.
George Blanda passed away in 2010 at the age of 83.
2. Morten Andersen – 47 years old
Kicker Morten Andersen of the Atlanta Falcons played his last game on December 30, 2007, at the age of 47. Andersen is the all-time leading scorer in NFL history, having scored 2,544 points over his 25 year career.
3. John Carney – 46 years old
Kicker John Carney was 46 years old when he filled in for Garrett Hartley for a few games during the 2010 season with the New Orleans Saints. Carney’s career lasted for 23 years.
T-4. John Nesser – 45 years old
Lineman John Nesser played in a game with the Columbus Panhandles in 1921 at the age of 45. Technically, the game was in the APFA before the league’s name was changed to the NFL in 1922. John Nesser held the NFL record as the oldest player for 53 years, until George Blanda broke it 1974.
T-4. Bobby Marshall – 45 years old
End Bobby Marshall, who along with Fritz Pollard were the first African-Americans to play in the NFL, last played in a game in 1925 when he was 45 years old. Marshall was a tremendous athlete who would have played baseball in the major leagues if not for discrimination.
Bobby Marshall played both baseball and football at the University of Minnesota from 1904 to 1906, and he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1971. Marshall was the first African-American to play football in the Big Ten (called the Big Nine at the time). He also lettered in track.
Bobby Marshall even played hockey for a semi-pro team in 1908, the Minneapolis Wanderers, becoming the first African-American to play hockey professionally.
T-4. Ben Agajanian – 45 years old
Kicker Ben Agajanian, called “The Toeless Wonder” because he had four amputated toes on his kicking foot, played in three games when he was 45 years old in 1964. Agajanian kicked for both NFL and AFL teams, but only played for 13 seasons because he had numerous years when he did not have a kicking job during his career.
T-4. Gary Anderson – 45 years old
Kicker Gary Anderson was 45 years old when he last played a game in the NFL during the 2004 season. Anderson was born in South Africa, and he played in the NFL for 23 seasons.