Who are the best Mexican NFL players to ever play the game?

Who are the best Mexican NFL players to ever play the game?

Grace Waruguru
updated at September 9, 2023 at 11:17 AM

Who are the best Mexican NFL players? The football league has several nationalities represented. Mexican players have performed exceptionally well within their colleges and respective franchises. Who are some of these individuals? Read on and discover who these talented players are.

Mexican NFL players all time
Hall of Famer Anthony Munoz at the 26th Annual Hispanic Heritage Awards presented by Target at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on September 5, 2013, in Washington, DC. Photo: Larry French
Source: Getty Images

One of the questions netizens have asked is, ''Are there any Mexican NFL players?'' Yes. Some of these individuals have mixed ethnicity, while others are pure Mexican. Their talent stands out on the field, and many have recorded impressive performances in past seasons. Who are the best Mexican NFL players?

Best Mexican NFL players

The NFL recognizes Mexican players as a significant part of the league, embracing diversity and inclusivity. These talented individuals have played an essential role in their teams' performance in past and current seasons. Who are the Mexicans in the NFL? Here are the top 15:

1. Christian Gonzalez

  • Full name: Christian Gonzalez
  • Date of birth: June 28, 2002
  • Position: Cornerback
  • Team: New England Patriots

Christian started playing in high school as a cornerback and wide receiver. He joined the University of Colorado Boulder, playing with the Colorado Buffaloes football team. He also played for the University of Oregon's Oregon Ducks before joining the NFL in the 2023 draft. Gonzalez is one of the best Mexican NFL players, playing as a cornerback for the New England Patriots.

2. Christian Rodriguez

  • Full name: Christopher Rodriguez Jr
  • Date of birth: September 26, 2000
  • Position: Running back
  • Team: Washington Commanders

Chris joined the NFL in the 2023 draft and plays for the Washington Commanders. Previously, he played for the Kentucky Wildcats (University of Kentucky). The athlete was named a 3-star prospect and is among the current Mexican NFL players.

3. Jim Plunkett

best Mexican NFL players
Jim Plunkett before a game between the Las Vegas Raiders and the San Francisco 49ers at Allegiant Stadium on January 01, 2023, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Ethan Miller
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: James William Plunkett
  • Date of birth: December 5, 1947
  • Position: Quarterback
  • Team: Los Angeles Raiders

Jim is undoubtedly one of the greatest Mexican NFL players of all time. The Mexican-American former quarterback spent 16 seasons in the league and retired as the only NFL quarterback to win two Super Bowls with the same team in different cities. He retired in 1983 and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1990.

4. Ted Hendricks

Mexican NFL players 2023
Ted Hendricks before the game between the Houston Texans and the Las Vegas Raiders at Allegiant Stadium on October 23, 2022, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Ethan Miller
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Theodore Paul Hendricks
  • Date of birth: November 1, 1947
  • Position: Defensive end
  • Team: Los Angeles Raiders

NFL legend Ted Hendricks was born in Guatemala and joined the NFL in 1983, playing for 15 seasons. He played for teams like the Baltimore Colts, Green Bay Packers, and Los Angeles Raiders. Hendricks was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990, and in 1999, Sporting News ranked him number 64 on the 100 Greatest Football Players.

5. Tony Gonzalez

famous Mexican NFL players
Tony Gonzalez attends SiriusXM At Super Bowl LVII on February 10, 2023, in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo: Cindy Ord
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Anthony David Gonzalez
  • Date of birth: February 27, 1976
  • Position: Tight end
  • Teams: Atlanta Falcons

Tony is recognized as the greatest tight end of all time, leading in receiving yards and receptions by a tight end. Gonzalez joined the league in 1997 and played for the Kansas City Chiefs and the Atlanta Falcons. While in college, the athlete also played basketball, representing his team at the Sweet Sixteen NCAA Basketball Tournament.

6. Tom Flores

are there any Mexican NFL players
Tom Flores during a roundtable forum on August 8, 2021, in Canton, Ohio. Photo: Gene J. Puskar-Pool
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Thomas Raymond Flores
  • Date of birth: March 21, 1937
  • Position: Quarterback
  • Team: Kansas City Chiefs

86-year-old Tom Flores is a former quarterback with the NFL who played with teams like the Bakersfield Spoilers, Oakland Raiders, Buffalo Bills, and Kansas City Chiefs. In addition, Flores also served as a coach for various teams between 1971 and 1994. The NFL legend was added to the Pro Hall of Fame in 2021 and is among the best Mexican NFL players of all time.

7. Ron Rivera

Mexican NFL players current
Ron Rivera poses for a photo on the red carpet during NFL Honors at the Symphony Hall on February 9, 2023, in Phoenix, Arizona. Photo: Cooper Neill
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Ronald Eugene Rivera
  • Date of birth: January 7, 1962
  • Position: Linebacker
  • Team: Chicago Bears

Ron is the head coach for the Washington Commanders, a position he took over in 2020. The athlete is one of the most famous Mexican NFL players who joined the league in 1984. He played as a linebacker for the Chicago Bears before proceeding to coach teams like the Philadelphia Eagles and San Diego Chargers.

8. Chris Olave

best Mexican NFL players of all time
Chris Olave of the New Orleans Saints during their game against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium on September 25, 2022, in Charlotte, North Carolina. Photo: Grant Halverson
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Christian Josiah Olave
  • Date of birth: June 27, 2000
  • Position: Wide receiver
  • Team: New Orleans Saints

Chris Olave is one of the top Mexican NFL players in 2023. He is an alumnus of the Ohio State University's football team, holding the record for most career touchdown receptions (35). Olave joined the NFL in 2022, appearing in 15 games with nine starts, 72 catches, and four touchdowns in his premier season.

9. Roy Lopez

Mexican NFL players all time
Roy Lopez warms up during the Houston Texans Training Camp session at Houston Methodist Training Center adjacent to NRG Stadium on August 3, 2022, in Houston, Texas. Photo: Ken Murray
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Roy Jacob Lopez
  • Date of birth: August 7 1997
  • Position: Defensive tackle
  • Team: Houston Texans

Roy Lopez joined the NFL Houston Texans in the 2021 draft. After high school, the Mexican-American player was ranked as a two-star recruit by 247. com. He played college football at New Mexico State University before joining the league.

10. Joe Cardona

Mexican NFL players
Joe Cardona during training camp at Gillette Stadium on July 28, 2021, in Foxborough, Massachusetts. Photo: Kathryn Riley
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Joseph Cardona
  • Date of birth: April 16, 1992
  • Position: Long snapper
  • Team: New England Patriots

Joseph Cardona is a long snapper for the New England Patriots, the only NFL team he has been part of since joining the league in 2015. Besides football, he is also a Lieutenant in the U.S Naval Reserve. The Mexican athlete played college football for the Navy Midshipmen Football team and was the fourth player designated as a long snapper in NFL history. He is also the highest-paid long-snapper in the National Football League.

11. Michael Davis

Mexican NFL players 2023
Michael Davis during warm-ups before the game against the New York Jets at SoFi Stadium on November 22, 2020, in Inglewood, California. Photo: Katelyn Mulcahy
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Michael Davis
  • Date of birth: January 6, 1995
  • Position: Cornerback
  • Team: Los Angeles Chargers

Davis joined the NFL as an undrafted free agent in 2017 with the Los Angeles Chargers. He is an alumnus of Brigham Young University (BHU), where he played for the Brigham Cougars from 2013 to 2016. Some of his career stats include 286 total tackles and 59 pass deflections.

12. Antony Munoz

best Mexican NFL players
Anthony Munoz poses for Photographs on the Red Carpet at NFL Honors during Super Bowl LII week on February 3, 2018, at Northrop at the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, MN. Photo: Rich Graessle
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Michael Anthony Muñoz
  • Date of birth: August 19, 1958
  • Position: Tackle, offensive lineman
  • Team: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Antony Munoz is a former professional football player who joined the NFL in 1980, playing in 13 seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He is rated among the top offensive linemen in NFL history and was named the Offensive Lineman of the Year in 1981 and 1988. He also won the NFL Players Association Lineman of the Year honours in 1981, 1985, 1988, and 1989. Munoz was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1998.

13. Tony Romo

famous Mexican NFL players
Tony Romo exits the broadcast booth during Round Three of the DEAN & DELUCA Invitational at Colonial Country Club on May 27, 2017, in Fort Worth, Texas. Photo: Tom Pennington
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Antonio Ramiro Romo
  • Date of birth: April 21, 1980
  • Position: Quarterback
  • Team: Dallas Cowboys

Tony Romo is a former quarterback for the NFL who was in the league for 14 seasons, only playing with the Dallas Cowboys. He is the team's best quarterback ever and is a 4-time Pro Bowl winner (2006, 2007, 2009, 2014). Romo retired in 2016 due to back injuries and is now a lead colour analyst for the CBS Sports NFL telecasts.

14. Tom Fears

are there any Mexican NFL players
Tom Fears of the Los Angeles Rams poses for a photo in 1951. Photo: Vic Stein
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Thomas Jesse Fears
  • Date of birth: December 3, 1922
  • Died: January 4, 2000
  • Position: Split end
  • Team: Los Angeles Rams

Tom Fears was part of the league for nine seasons between 1948 to 1956. He later served as a coach for the New Orleans Saints. The deceased athlete was a three-time NFL champion (1951, 1962, 1965) and a First-Team All-Pro in 1950. He passed away in 2000 at 77 after succumbing to Alzeihmer's Disease.

15. Jalen Moreno-Cropper

Mexican NFL players current
Jalen Moreno-Cropper during a college football game between the Fresno State Bulldogs and the Boise State Broncos on December 3, 2022, at Albertsons Stadium in Boise, ID. Photo: Tyler Ingham
Source: Getty Images
  • Full name: Jalen Moreno-Cropper
  • Date of birth: May 3, 2001
  • Position: Wide receiver
  • Team: Dallas Cowboys

Jalen joined the NFL draft in May 2023 with the Dallas Cowboys, where he plays as a wide receiver. He started playing while studying at the California State University, Fresno, where he caught 15 passes for 196 yards and rushed for 343 yards and three touchdowns during his freshman season.

Best Mexican NFL players
Photo: canva.com (modified by author)
Source: UGC

Who is the best NFL player from Mexico? Finding one player might prove challenging. However, these renowned individuals have given their best in their specific roles and positions, helping the Hispanic culture receive national and global recognition.

READ ALSO: 10 best Mexican soccer players of all time

Sports Brief published the 10 best Mexican soccer players ever. These players have set incredible standards in the World Cup, Premier League, and other leagues.

Hugo Sanchez, a former manager, and player with teams like San Diego Sockers and Real Madrid, thrice represented his country in the World Cup. Rafael Marques served as his team's captain in three World Cups and is known as the best defender in the history of Mexican football. Check out the above article to see all the legendary Mexican football players.

Authors
Grace Waruguru photo
Grace Waruguru
Grace has over 4 years of experience in article writing and digital media content creation for various local and global brands. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication (Public Relations) from Daystar University, Kenya.