Who wore number 18 in NFL

Imagine entering the stadium on a relaxed Sunday in autumn, with excitement in the stands and jersey colors mixing into a brilliant tapestry of supporter pride. One of these numbers, 18, stands out among the others with a special reverence and significance. Not just any number is sewn into the backs of enormous creatures—in the National Football League (NFL), this is a badge of honour, a representation of glory. Number 18 has been on the shoulders of players who have not only defined their positions but also had a lasting impression on the fundamentals of the game, from the accuracy of great quarterbacks to the unwavering drive of wide receivers. This piece delves into the history of the players who wore the number 18 jersey, following their paths from draft day aspirations to legendary status, examining the key events that shaped their careers, and honoring the magic they embodied on the football field. Fasten your seatbelts for an exciting journey through history, bravery, and the thrilling action that the number 18 has come to represent in the NFL.

Retired numbers 18
Some teams removed the number 18 from their history in honour of the famous players. All of them are Hall of Famers. The legendary Peyton Manning wore this number in the Indianapolis Colts from 1998 to 2011, but the team retired it only in 2017. Kansas City Chiefs stopped exploiting number 18 in 2008, 30 years after Emmit Thomas left football. Charlie Joiner left an impact on the history of the Chargers, so they retired number 18, which belonged to him.

The first number 18 in NFL

Henry Shrank was the first player who wore number 18 in NFL history. He played in Chicago Staleys’ 1920 season in a halfback position.

The last player with number 18 before AV implementation

The Cleveland Browns chose Bob Ptacek in the 8th round of the 1959 Draft. His career in the NFL was short because the Browns traded the quarterback to the Saskatchewan Roughriders in exchange for the defensive end Jim Marshall. Ptacek ended his career in Canada.

Top 5 players with highest AV

Peyton Manning – 271 AV

The quarterback Peyton Manning is unbeatable. He led his teams only to two Super Bowls, but each game muted the tribunes in the silence. Nobody wanted to miss his pass or touchdown. He collected 11 MVP titles in his career. He was nominated for many awards each year. The player participated in 14 Pro Bowls and 7 All-Pro events. When Manning missed the 2011 season due to a neck injury, the fans worried about his future. But he returned with triumph and the Comeback Player of the Year award. He is the brother of Eli Manning, another quarterback with a phenomenal career in the New York Giants.

Charles Joiner – 133 AV

The wide receiver Charles Joiner is another Hall of Famer on our list. He started his career in the NFL in 1969 after being picked by the Houston Oilers in the 4th round of the 1969 Draft. His first years of career were the wiggle-waggle between Houston and Cincinnati until the San Diego Chargers picked him in 1976. Most of his achievements are connected with the Chargers. The player demonstrated the perfect form and transformed from an outsider to a game-winning rusher. After his finish, the Chargers retired his number 18 and balloted him to the Hall of Fame.

Roman Gabriel – 101 AV

AFL and NFL competed for this quarterback as the Raiders and Los Angeles Rams picked him in the first round. Roman Gabriel could choose between two teams and favored the Rams. He spent 11 seasons there from 1962 to 1973. This period was interesting and spectacular. Yes, his yardage wasn’t as brilliant as others, but he competed in three Pro Bowls as a player of the LA Rams. His best achievement is the 1969 MVP titles, according to AP and UPI polls, despite the quarterback failing to reach the Super Bowl in that season. He finished his career with the Eagles, who didn’t qualify for the qualification.

Emmitt Thomas – 100 AV

This player left undrafted after the 1966 AFL Draft, so he became a free agent, negotiating with all teams. At last, Emmitt Thomas signed the contract with the Kansas City Chiefs and left his entire career there. The defensive back Thomas created history when they became the owner of the last AFL championship and Super Bowl in the old format (1969). He generated 3 to 12 interceptions in the season, sometimes leading to touchdowns. His experience was honoured in the Hall of Fame in 2008. Kansas retired the number 18 to remember him.

A.J. Green – 95 AV

The player was drafted in the 2011 season as number 4th in the first round. He spent most of his career in the Cincinnati Bengals. The wide receiver A.J. Green had different stages of development divided by missing the 2019 season because of the injury. The first period was full of the Pro Bowls and inclusions to the second All-Pro team. The second was his sunset. Green even missed the Comeback Player of the Year award contest in 2020. Finally, he retired in 2022 from the Arizona Cardinals. He scored 70 receiving touchdowns in the regular season and 1 in the playoffs.