When you idolize a football star, you’re proud of their achievements and you love watching your team succeed. You watch them every chance you get and sometimes you even get their poster and hang it up in your room. But what happens when the person you idolize has a rather unique hairstyle? One that makes you go, “Wait, what?” Well check out these 17 athletes who had no problems flaunting their hair, no matter the reaction of their fans or their teammates.
Antonio Garay
Ahh, we are starting off our list with the former nose tackle that is Antonio Garay. He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the sixth round of the 2003 NFL Draft. He also played college ball and wrestled at Boston College. Garay was a Wrestling All American, placing 4th at the NCAA Championships his sophomore year at Boston College. He also played ball for the Chicago Bears, San Diego Chargers, and New York Jets. Oh yeah, he’s remembered for his downright outrageous hairstyles AND for driving a Hello Kitty-themed smart car. Nope, so not a typo.
Antonio Garay
Brian Bosworth
Bosworth was a linebacker for the Seattle Seahawks and before his NFL start, he played college football for the University of Oklahoma, and was a two-time consensus All-American. His fame and notoriety was completely evident because his flamboyant personality, controversial comments about the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and insane hair cuts. He was less successful in the NFL as injuries forced him to retire after just three seasons. You probably remember him from some Hollywood films like The Longest Yard.
Brian Bosworth
Chris Kemoeatu
The Tongan former pro football guard of course makes the list. Kemoeatu played college ball for the University of Utah Utes, and was drafted by the Steelers in the sixth round of the 2005 NFL Draft. For awhile there, he sported the ‘business in the front, party in the back’ hairstyle, need we say more?
Chris Kemoeatu
Clay Matthews III
No one can deny that Clay Matthews III is a football God. He was considered a top prospect for the 2009 NFL Draft and was ultimately selected by the Packers in the first round of the Draft (26th overall). In his rookie year alone, Matthews recorded 10 sacks while playing outside linebacker. He also topped that total in 2010 with 13.5 sacks, helping the Packers to their Super Bowl XLV victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers. His abilities and athleticism on the field are extraordinary, but that’s not all. His hair is just as famous as he is, in fact, there is a Facebook page completely dedicated to his hair – we’re not joking.
Clay Matthews III
Dion Jordan
Dion Jordan is the defensive end for the Miami Dolphins. He was drafted by the Dolphins third overall in the 2013 NFL Draft, however his career has been surrounded with suspensions due to violations of the NFL’s substance abuse policy. But we’re here to talk about his hair, just why oh why, did he think it was a good idea to have Tiger stripes on the top of his head?! Why.
Dion Jordan
Domata Peko
Ahh, Peko. After playing college ball at Michigan State, Peko was a fourth-round pick in the 2006 NFL Draft, selected by the Cincinnati Bengals. In fact, so far, he’s played his entire NFL career for the Bengals. You really can’t miss him on the field, no matter where he is, it’s that lion mane of his that gives him away.
Domata Peko
Dominique Rodgers Cromartie
Rodgers Cromartie was drafted by the Arizona Cardinals as the 16th overall pick in the 2008 NFL Draft. He has played for the Philadelphia Eagles and the Denver Broncos, currently he’s with the New York Giants. Although everyone pretty much remembers him for dying his hair AND beard lime green.
Dominique Rodgers Cromartie
Freddie Mitchell
This wide receiver played for the Philadelphia Eagles for four seasons. Mitchell was chosen as a consensus All-American in 2000 while he played college ball for the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). The Philadelphia Eagles selected him in the first round of the 2001 NFL Draft, and he spent four seasons as a member of the Eagles, culminating in an appearance in Super Bowl XXXIX following the 2004 NFL season. Perhaps it was his hair that made him stand out? Maybe. Probably. Yeah, it’s pretty likely.
Freddie Mitchell
Fui Vakapuna
Fui Vakapuna is a former fullback who was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft. In his brief NFL career, he’s basically remembered for having horrible hair. No really. Why would anyone just shave the top half of their hair and leave the rest? It doesn’t make sense.
Fui Vakapuna
Jeff Reed
Reed is a former placekicker, who was signed by the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted free agent in 2002. He played for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 2002 until 2010, and is second all-time behind Gary Anderson for the most points scored by a Steeler. Reed also played for the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks. He’s remembered as an eccentric person. Considering he used to bleach his hair and let it grow out. He also wore fuchsia clothing to match his girlfriend’s outfit for the team’s annual fashion show to help raise money for breast cancer awareness. One year at training camp, Reed voluntarily carried around a pink backpack since the team had no rookies on special teams, who were usually the ones to carry around the backpack.
Jeff Reed
Lucas Nix
Nix plays as an offensive guard and is currently a free agent. He was signed on by the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent in 2012, the Raiders waived him off in 2014. In 2015, he signed a one-year contract with the Chicago Bears. Whatever team he played for though, he’s remembered for having the worst hair. Just look for yourself.
Lucas Nix
Pat McQuistan
Since 2006, McQuistan has bounced around from team to team. Such as the Dallas Cowboys, Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, Arizona Cardinals, Tennessee Titans and Atlanta Falcons. But history will always remember him as the redheaded offensive tackle. And why would he shave off the top but let the rest run wild and free?
Pat McQuistan
Preston Parker
Parker is a wide receiver and return specialist who is currently a free agent. He was signed on by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers as an undrafted free agent in 2010. He has sported quite the hair in his career so far. We can’t tell, was he going for dreads or did he just tire of trying?
Preston Parker
Tim Tebow
Tim Tebow’s name is synonymous with incredibly talented quarterback. Right? Right. We could list all of his achievements and take up an entire page but instead we’ll just say, what is happening with his hair in this picture? Just what in the world are we looking at and why?
Tim Tebow
Tiquan Underwood
Underwood is a wide receiver for the Montreal Allouettes of the Canadian Football League. In his NFL career, he was drafted by the Jacksonville Jaguars in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He also played for the New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Carolina Panthers. Underwood is forever remembered for his very distinctive hi-top fade hairstyle.
Tiquan Underwood
Todd Herremans
Todd Herremans is an offensive guard who is currently a free agent. He was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the fourth round of the 2005 NFL Draft, and has played there for ten seasons. In 2013, he showed up to training camp with the following look. Apparently he was inspired by the History Channel show “Vikings.”
Todd Herremans
Tracy Porter
Porter is the cornerback for the Chicago Bears, he was drafted by the New Orleans Saints in the second round of the 2008 NFL Draft. With the Saints, he won Super Bowl XLIV against the Indianapolis Colts. He has also played for the Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, and Washington Redskins. Porter is also the guy who would have certain images cut into his hair, some include “SB44,” the Superdome, PacMan and the Lombardi Trophy. Uhh, okay then.
Tracy Porter
