Many NFL players have attended Ivy League schools before going on to have successful careers as professional players. This list includes Super Bowl champions, Hall of Famers, and record holders. Some of the players who have attended Ivy League schools include Zak DeOssie, Chuck Bednarik, Sid Luckman, Steve Jordan, Calvin Hill, Matt Birk, Nick Lowery, Gary Fencik, George Starke, Marcellus Wiley, Ryan Fitzpatrick, Kevin Boothe, and Mike Pyle. These players have attended schools such as Brown University, Columbia University, Yale University, and Harvard University before joining the NFL.
Chuck Bednarik, known as “Concrete Charlie,” was a two-way player in the 1950s and the last player in NFL history to play both ways full time. He attended the University of Pennsylvania and was the first overall pick in the 1949 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles. Bednarik retired in 1962 and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1967. A defensive player award in college football is also named after him. Sid Luckman attended Columbia University and was a quarterback for the Chicago Bears, winning four Super Bowls with the team and being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965.
Steve Jordan, who played tight end for the Minnesota Vikings, attended Brown University before his NFL career. Calvin Hill, a running back who played for several teams including the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Redskins, attended Yale University. Matt Birk, who played as a center for the Minnesota Vikings and the Baltimore Ravens, earned his degree in economics from Harvard University. Nick Lowery, a kicker who played for multiple teams including the Kansas City Chiefs, went to Dartmouth College before joining the NFL.
George Starke, who played for the Washington Redskins, attended Columbia University as a physics major. Marcellus Wiley, a defensive end who played for several teams including the Buffalo Bills and the Dallas Cowboys, earned his bachelor’s degree in sociology from Columbia University. Ryan Fitzpatrick, a quarterback who played for various teams throughout his career, was drafted by the St. Louis Rams after attending Harvard. Kevin Boothe, an offensive lineman who won two Super Bowls with the New York Giants, was drafted out of Cornell University by the Oakland Raiders. Mike Pyle, who played his entire NFL career with the Chicago Bears, was drafted after playing at Yale University and was the captain of the 1960 unbeaten and untied team.
Despite the demands of their professional football careers, these former NFL players who attended Ivy League schools found success beyond the field. Many have received accolades such as Super Bowl championships, Pro Bowl selections, and being named MVP. Some, like Chuck Bednarik, have awards named after them to honor their contributions to the sport. Others, like Zak DeOssie and Matt Birk, have been inducted into athletic and academic halls of fame for their achievements both on and off the field. These players have left a lasting impact on the NFL and the Ivy League schools they represented.
