A top 20 list of the best football players with dreads

NFL footballers often spend a lot on their hair to improve their looks on and off the field. Some prefer a close-cropped style, while others go for a little more flair. One of the most common is dreadlocks. Below are some of the best football players with dreads.

Dreadlocks, or locs, are unique hairstyles of rope-like strands made by braiding or interlocking the hair. Some communities consider dreads sacred, while others associate it with the Rastafarian movement and reggae music.

NFL football players with dreads

Almost every NFL team has a player with dreads. Former Seattle Seahawks running back Marshawn Lynch is one of the most famous football players with dreads. Others include Al Harris, Devin Hester, and Bob Sanders Colts. Cam Newton, Shaquill Griffin, and DeAndre Hopkins are among the NFL players with dreads in 2023.

Why do most NFL players have dreads?

Senegal's national football team squad, coach, world rankings, AFCON and nickname

Football

Many footballers wear dreads for pride and personal reasons. Some footballers wear locs because they provide an extra protective cushion in the helmet.

Top 20 football players with long dreads

Many NFL legends with locks achieved incredible things during their career. Here is a list of the top American football players with dreads.

20. Sidney Rice

Sidney Rice is a former NFL wide receiver and one of the greatest footballers with dreads. Rice played college football at South Carolina before joining the Minnesota Vikings in 2007.

• Date of birth: 1 September 1986
• Nationality: American
• College: University of South Carolina
• Teams: Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks
• Honours: PFWA All-Rookie Team (2007), Second-team All-Pro (2009), Super Bowl champion (XLVIII), Pro Bowl (2009)

19. Adam Jones

Jones had a relatively short career, but many remember him for his long dreadlocks. Adam, born in Atlanta, Georgia, played for four teams as a cornerback in the NFL.

Cameroon national football team squad, coach, world rankings, AFCON and trophies

Football

• Date of birth: 30 September 1983
• Nationality: American
• College: West Virginia University
• Teams: Tennessee Titans, Dallas Cowboys, Cincinnati Bengals, Denver Broncos
• Honours: First-team All-Big East (2004), PFWA All-Rookie Team (2005), First-team All-Pro (2014), Pro Bowl (2015)

18. Charles Tillman

The legendary Chicago Bears cornerback had dreads throughout his career. He was born in Chicago, Illinois and graduated with a bachelor's degree in criminal justice.

• Date of birth: 23 February 1981
• Nationality: American
• College: University of Louisiana
• Teams: Chicago Bears, Carolina Panthers
• Honours: 2x Pro Bowl, First-team All-Pro (2012), NFL forced fumbles leader (2012), Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year (2013)

17. Dunta Robinson

Robinson is a former NFL defensive back born in Athens, Georgia. The legendary footballer was a hard hitter and risk-taker on the field.

• Date of birth: 11 April 1982
• Nationality: American
• College: University of South Carolina
• Teams: Atlanta Falcons, Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs
• Honours: PFWA Defensive Rookie of the Year (2004), PFWA All-Rookie Team (2004)

Top 10 of the best young football managers 2023: global ranking

Football

16. Roddy White

Roddy White ranks among the most prolific wide receivers in the Atlanta Falcons history. He was drafted in the first round of the 2005 NFL Draft by the Falcons and played for them until his retirement in 2017.

• Date of birth: 2 November 1981
• Nationality: American
• College: University of Alabama-Birmingham (UAB)
• Team: Atlanta Falcons
• Honours: Atlanta Falcons Ring of Honor, 4× Pro Bowl, First-team All-Pro (2010), NFL receptions leader (2010)

15. Dwayne Bowe

Dwayne was born in Miami, Florida, but grew up in Louisiana. He played football as a wide receiver in high school and college. The Chiefs legend has had locks since childhood.

• Nationality: American
• College: Louisiana State University
• Teams: Kansas City Chiefs, Cleveland Browns
• Honours: Second-team All-Pro (2010), Pro Bowl (2010), PFWA All-Rookie Team (2007), BCS national champion (2003)

14. Laurence Maroney

Maroney's locks made him feel relaxed and focused on the field. He was an All-American running back at the University of Minnesota before signing for the New England Patriots in 2006.

NBA players with dreads: Who has the best locks in the league right now?

NBA

• Date of birth: 5 February 1985
• Nationality: American
• College: University of Minnesota
• Teams: New England Patriots, Denver Broncos
• Honours: Pro Bowl (2011), Big Ten Co-Freshman of the Year (2003), Third-team All-American (2005), First-team All-Big Ten (2004, 2005)

13. Edgerrin James

The legendary NFL running back is known for his speed and agility. He often wore dreads in cornrows, braids, and loose locs. James got inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame on 23 April 2009.

• Date of birth: 1 August 1978
• Nationality: American
• College: University of Miami
• Teams: Indianapolis Colts, Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks
• Honours: NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (1999), First-team All-Pro (1999), 2× Second-team All-Pro, 4× Pro Bowl, 2× NFL rushing yards leader, NFL 2000s All-Decade Team, NFL All-Rookie Team (1999)

12. Rashean Mathis

Mathis played 13 seasons in the NFL as a cornerback. He was an outstanding footballer in college and then moved to the NFL in 2003. Rashean has dreads which hang below his shoulders.

Bill Russell's biography, age, net worth, rings, MVP's, coaching, cause of death, tributes, achievements

NBA

• Date of birth: 27 August 1980
• Nationality: American
• College: Bethune-Cookman University
• Teams: Jacksonville Jaguars, Detroit Lions
• Honours: First-team All-Pro (2006), Pro Bowl (2006), Buck Buchanan Award (2002), MEAC Defensive Player of the Year (2002), 3× First-team All-MEAC

11. Marcus Trufant

Trufant was a fantastic cornerback and had one of the most remarkable careers in the NFL. He started wearing dreads in college before moving to the NFL in 2003 with his rocking haircut.

• Date of birth: 25 December 1980
• Nationality: American
• College: Washington State University
• Teams: Seattle Seahawks, Jacksonville Jaguars
• Honours: First-team All-Pro (2007), Pro Bowl (2007), PFWA All-Rookie Team (2003), Second-team All-American (2002)

10. Marion Barber

Barber was an NFL running back known for his physical playing style and dreads. Marion joined the Cowboys in 2005 and became one of the best running backs in the NFL. He passed away on 1 June 2022.

Top 20 most underrated footballers of all time: who are they?

Football

• Date of birth: 10 June 1983
• Nationality: American
• College: University of Minnesota
• Teams: Dallas Cowboys, Chicago Bears
• Honours: Pro Bowl (2007)

9. Atari Bigby

Bigby is one of the most popular black football players with dreads. He was born in Trelawny Parish, Jamaica, but studied in Florida, US. Bigby has long, thick locs that were easy to note on the field.

• Date of birth: 19 September 1981
• Nationality: American
• College: University of Central Florida
• Teams: Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks

8. Asante Samuel

The legendary footballer was born in Accra, Ghana, but grew up in Florida. Samuel had worn his dreadlocks since he was a kid.

• Date of birth: 6 January 1981
• Nationality: American
• College: University of Central Florida
• Teams: New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons
• Honours: First-team All-Pro in (2007), Second-team All-Pro (2009)

Antonio Brown's net worth: How much is Antonio Brown worth right now?

Football

7. Larry Fitzgerald

Larry Fitzgerald is a former American football player with dreadlocks that made him shine on the field. He is one of the best wide receivers in the NFL since his draft in 2004.

• Date of birth: 31 August 1983
• Nationality: American
• College: University of Pittsburgh.
• Team: Arizona Cardinals
• Honours: All-Pro (11), Pro Bowl (11), NFL receiving touchdowns leader (2)

6. Mike McKenzie

McKenzie has long, unique dreads that are part of his identity. He was known as an aggressive and hard-working cornerback.

• Date of birth: 26 April 1976
• Nationality: American
• College: University of Memphis
• Teams: Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints

5. Steven Jackson

The former defensive back played for three teams in his 12 seasons in the NFL. He is among the most recognisable footballers with long dreads. Jackson was born in Las Vegas, Nevada, US.

Which is the most popular sport in America? Top 12 revealed

Other Sports

• Date of birth: 22 July 1983
• Nationality: American
• College: St Louis Rams
• Teams: St Louis Rams, Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots
• Honours: Pro Bowls (3), All-Pro teams (2)

4. Bob Sanders Colts

Sanders has had his cool dreadlocks since he was a teenager. He joined Indianapolis in 2004 and became one of the best safeties in NFL history.

• Date of birth: 24 February 1981
• Nationality: American
• College: Iowa State Cyclones
• Teams: Indianapolis Colts, San Diego Chargers
• Honours: NFL Defensive Player of the Year, 2× First-team All-Pro, 2× Pro Bowl, 3× First-team All-Big Ten

3. Devin Hester

Devin had a successful NFL career as a kick returner and wide receiver with the Chicago Bears. Many people identify him with the long dreads.

Date of birth: 4 November 1982

Nationality: American

College: University of Miami

Teams: Chicago Bears, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Seattle Seahawks

The 10 best colleges with the most NFL players in the league at the moment

NFL

Honours: 3x First-team All-Pro, 4x Pro Bow, 3x NFL Alumni Special Teams Player of the Year

2. Al Harris

Harris joined the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the sixth round of the 1999 NFL draft. Many consider him among the most feared corners in football history.

• Date of birth: 7 December 1974
• Nationality: American
• College: Texas A&M-Kingsville
• Teams: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers, Miami Dolphins, St. Louis Rams
• Honours: 2x Pro Bowls, Second-team All-Pro (2007), The Packers Hall Of Fame (2021)

1. Marshawn Lynch

Lynch is a Pro Bowl NFL running back best known for his time with the Seattle Seahawks. He is among football players with short dreads. Marshawn was nicknamed 'Beast Mode' because of his explosive playing style.

• Date of birth: 22 April 1986
• Nationality: American
• College: University of California, Berkeley
• Teams: Buffalo Bills, Seattle Seahawks, Oakland Raiders
• Honours: Super Bowl champion (XLVIII), 5× Pro Bowl, Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year (2006)

Discover the top 15 NFL players with the most rings as of 2024

NFL

NFL player with blonde dreads

Chase Young is among the most-recognised football players with blonde dreads. Young is a defensive end for the Washington Commanders. Former Arizona Cardinals quarterback Cole McDonald also has blonde locks.

What football player has big dreads?

Tennessee Titans running back Derick Henry has the thickest and biggest locs in the NFL. He is also the tallest and heaviest RB in the American League in 2023.

Many football players with dreads achieved much in their NFL careers. The current generation of American footballers has also embraced the famous hairstyle.

READ ALSO: How many dunks are in WNBA history? The number might surprise you

Sports Brief also discussed the number of dunks in the WNBA history. Dunks are common in men's games, but female basketball players have also gone on record for making such impressive shots. Follow the above link to discover the number of dunks in the Women's basketball league and the players who slammed them.