5 Famous Black Actors Who Played Football

5 Famous Black Actors Who Played Football

Learn about these five famous black actors who played football professionally.

Five famous black actors were all professional football players in the NFL. They include Michael Irvin, Deion Sanders, Jim Brown, Walter Payton, and Curtis Martin.

Ray Lewis – Baltimore Ravens

Ray Lewis was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, on February 9, 1972. He attended Tulane University and played linebacker for the Tulane Green Wave football team. After college, he signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent. In his rookie season, he made the Pro Bowl after recording 12 sacks.

The Baltimore Ravens linebacker has been named one of the greatest linebackers in NFL history. He played his entire career with the Ravens from 1996 until

Ray Lewis – Baltimore Ravens
Ray Lewis – Baltimore Ravens

Michael Irvin – Dallas Cowboys

Michael Irvin was born in Houston, Texas, on December 22, 1969. He attended Rice University and played wide receiver for the Rice Owls football team. He was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in the first round (seventh pick) of the 1992 NFL Draft. He spent four seasons with the 49ers before signing with the Baltimore Ravens as a free agent. In 1995, he won Super Bowl XXXV against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The first four of these men played for the Dallas Cowboys, while the last one played for the New York Giants. Each of them had a different role in the team. Michael Irvin was a wide receiver who caught the ball and ran after it. He was known for his speed and agility. Deion Sanders was a cornerback who intercepted passes and returned them for touchdowns. Jim Brown was a running back who carried the ball often. Walter Payton was a fullback who helped the team move the ball downfield. Curtis Martin was a running back who could break tackles and gain yards after contact.

Michael Irvin – Dallas Cowboys
Michael Irvin – Dallas Cowboys

Deion Sanders – Atlanta Falcons

Deion Sanders was born in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, on August 19, 1962. He attended LSU and played defensive back for the Tigers football team. He was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round (sixth pick) of the 1986 NFL Draft. He spent six seasons with the Cowboys before being traded to the Washington Redskins. In 1991, he signed with the Atlanta Falcons as a free agent. He retired after the 1996 season.

The Atlanta Falcons are one of the most successful franchises in the history of American sports. In fact, they have won four Super Bowl titles since

Deion Sanders – Atlanta Falcons
Deion Sanders – Atlanta Falcons

Terrell Owens – Cincinnati Bengals

Owens began his career with the Cincinnati Bengals in 1995. He played there until 2000 when he joined the Philadelphia Eagles. He returned to the Bengals in 2001 where he finished out his career. He won two Super Bowl rings with the Bengals.

The first four men listed above played for the Dallas Cowboys, while the fifth man played for the New York Giants. Each of them had a different position on the field. For example, Michael Irvin was a wide receiver, Deion Sanders was a cornerback, Walter Payton was a running back, and Curtis Martin was a fullback.

Terrell Owens – Cincinnati Bengals
Terrell Owens – Cincinnati Bengals

Curtis James Martin Jr. – New York Jets 

Curtis James Martin Jr.  was born May 1, 1973 in Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.  He attended  the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons, primarily with the New York Jets. He  spent his three seasons with the New England Patriots, who selected him in the third round of the 1995 NFL Draft. Curtis joined the Jets in 1998, where he spent nine seasons before retiring after the 2006 season.

A five-time Pro Bowl selection and a first-team All-Pro, Martin is sixth in NFL rushing yards. He was inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2012.

Curtis James Martin Jr.  -New York Jets
Curtis James Martin Jr.  -New York Jets
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