Best NFL player from each state

NFL free agency is in full swing. But there’s always time for a little history lesson. So we give you the league’s best player from each of the 50 United States.

While some think we might be a country divided, we will all agree that it’s always fun to travel down memory lane. And it’s worth noting that some of these memories are a lot longer than others.

These are the kind of pieces that both diehard and casual fans enjoy. There’s no real correct answer. It’s the opportunity to discuss the game we all love. And in this case, also show a little state pride. That certainly “trumps” no football talk at all.

Finally, a big thanks to both Pro Football Reference and the Pro Football Hall of Fame website for their assist when it came to the birthplaces of these select NFL players. We can’t “state” it much better than that.

Alabama: Bart Starr

When you help lead a team to five league championships, it’s hard to keep you off any kind of list that includes the word “best” and insinuates greatness.

Led by Hall of Fame head coach Vince Lombardi, the Green Bay Packers dominated the NFL in the 1960s. That included three straight title from 1965-67 – those final two years represented by victories in the first two Super Bowls. The MVPs in each of those contests was quarterback Bart Starr, a native of Montgomery as well as a product of the University of Alabama.

The legendary signal-caller is one of seven members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame born in the 22nd state. That includes the likes of long-overdue 2016 class member Ken Stabler, as well as our runner-up selection.

Honorable Mention: TE Ozzie Newsome

Next: Alaska