Best Navy Football Players In NFL 

The Quarterback played eleven years in the National Football League and stayed with a single franchise throughout his career.

In 1964, Staubach was drafted at #129 by the Dallas Cowboys of the NFL and at #122 by the Kansas City Chiefs of the AFL. He chose the Cowboys and played for them till 1979.

Roger studied at Purcell High School and joined the New Mexico Military Institute before transferring to the U.S. Naval Academy.

He played 151 matches and started in 131. His all-time passing record is 25,491 yards and 177 passing touchdowns. The recipient of the Cowboys Ring of Honor rushed for 2,696 yards and recorded 20 TDs.

The Cincinnati native is undoubtedly the most decorated and successful NFL player who once represented the Midshipmen.

The two-time Super Bowl Winner (VI and XII) is the only SB MVP (VI) from the Midshipmen. He was the 1978 NFL Man of the Year and six-time Pro Bowler (1971, 1975 to 1979) as well.

He received the 2018 Presidential Medal of Freedom. In his honor, the Navy retired his #12 jersey.

One of the two active Navy footballers in the NFL is Joe Cardona. New England Patriots chose the Long Snapper #166 in the 2015 NFL Draft.

The 31-year-old is the second player from the U.S. Naval Academy to have multiple Super Bowl Rings after Roger Staubach. He achieved the feat in SB LI and SB LIII.

The Patriots player is originally from San Diego but spent his growing days in El Cajon. He studied at Granite Hills High School and played Lacrosse.

During his eight-year pro career, he has featured in 113 games and recorded 14 total tackles. He has been a vital member of the Patriots’ special time.

In 2019, Joe’s rank in the United States Navy advanced to Lieutenant. A ceremony was held at the Gillette stadium to mark this auspicious moment.

It may have answered questions like: ‘Can Navy football players play in the NFL?’ and ‘Can Navy players go NFL?’

Yes, they certainly can with permission from the US Secretary of the Navy. Ray Mabus gave Cardona’s play time in the NFL a green light.

Ed Sprinkle was not picked by any team in the 1944 draft. Yet, the Jim Ned High School graduate found a place at Chicago Bears and played for twelve years.

In the beginning, he played both offense and defense for the Bears. His rushing ability turned him into a solid defensive athlete.

He was known for his aggressive play and heavy hits at the Defensive End. His clothesline tackles earned him the nickname of “The Claw.”

Sprinkle was a gem for the Chicago team and helped them win the 1946 NFL Championship. Because of his colloquial contribution, he was named the 100 greatest Bears of All-Time and was voted into the NFL 1940s All-Decade Team.

The four-time Pro Bowler (1950-53 and 1954) was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on 15th January 2020.

Green Bay Packers chose the Defensive Tackle Bob Kuberski in the 7th round of the 1993 NFL Draft as the no. 183 overall.

Despite being drafted in 1993, he only joined the team in 1995. Before pursuing a football career, he served as an Ensign for two years in the US Navy.

The Ridley High School graduate then played forty-nine matches from 1995 to 1998 for the Packers. He had a successful time at Green Bay with the Super Bowl XXXI win against the New England Patriots at the Louisiana Superdome.

During this period, he was the team’s representative in the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) from 1996 to 1998.

Likewise, Kuberski joined the New England Patriots in 1999 and recorded two sacks in five games.

Robert Hoernschemeyer belonged to the 1947 draft class. The Giants took him as the 94th overall pick in the 11th round.

The Cincinnati native was a superstar footballer for the Elder High School. At one of the games in 1942, he scored the entire 27 points for his team.

He took his blazing form into college football and recorded 1,648 total offense yards and 1,133 passing yards. It was the highest by any student-athlete for 1943.

At the Naval Academy, Robert became a Quarterback and led the team to a 7-1-1 record.

Chicago Rockets signed the talented individual in 1946. He was 2nd in the AAFC for passing TDs as a rookie and 4th in passing yards.

Hoernschemeyer was traded to the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947 and returned to the Chicago Hornets in 1949.

Detroit Lions chose him in the 1950 special draft after the end of AAFC. From 1950 to 1955, he made two Pro Bowl appearances and set many franchise records.

New England Patriots brought Kyle Eckel into the practice squad on 26 April 2005. He was the undrafted rookie from the 2005 class.

Miami Dolphins claimed off waivers for the Fullback in the same year. In September, his name was on the Reserve/Military list.

Eckel was part of the offseason roster for the Dolphins from 2005 to 2007.

The Patriots offered a second chance for Ecekl in 2007. He was initially a taxi squad member but was elevated to the main roster.

In 2008, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles. The following year, Kyle joined the New Orleans Saints.

He was part of the 2010 Vince Lombardi Trophy-winning side. They defeated Indianapolis Colts 31-17 under head coach Sean Payton.

His concluding year in the league came with the Denver Broncos in 2010.

Despite not getting a flashy start, Eckel fought his way into the teams and earned a Super Bowl Ring. He rushed for 175 yards and averaged 3.0 rushing yards per game.

Phil McConkey is another undrafted player from the Navy who spent 6 years in the NFL. He was without a team after the 1979 draft.

After rejection, he remained in the US Navy and became a helicopter pilot. At 27, he returned to football after a five-year hiatus.

The New York Giants signed the Buffalo native in 1984.

Steve Belichick, father of Bill Belichick, who was then the defensive coordinator of the Giants, made McConkey’s signing possible.

Likewise, Phil was the second person who completed his four-year service in the US Navy and entered the league. The first to do that was Roger Staubach.

The Wide Receiver’s best season was in 1985, when he covered 404 yards, making 25 receptions. His famous 25-yard punt return in Super Bowl XXI against the Denver Broncos helped the Giants win the contest.

In 1986, he was associated with the Green Bay Packers. Things quickly turned, and Phil returned to the Giants for two more seasons from 1986 to 1988.

McConkey was also a part of the Phoenix Cardinals (1989) and San Diego Chargers (1989).

The Running back comes from Jefferson City, Missouri. He was the 108th pick for the Las Vegas Raiders in the 1986 draft.

His family moved to Lincoln Heights and then to Milford, Ohio. He grew up there and studied at the Milford High School.

He was a defensive back and running back for the Milford Eagles.

Napoleon enjoyed a great run at the Midshipmen and made 16 football records by the end of his collegiate career. His all-time rushing record of 4,179 yards was succeeded in 2015 by Keenan Reynolds.

The 188 cm tall RB started well for the Raiders, rushing for 536 yards. He was still serving in the US Navy during that phase.

In 1987, his duty station was changed to USS California, which halted his NFL career. He returned to football after a three-year gap in 1990.

After his return, his role was limited to special teams, and he was mainly brought as a short-yard stoppage.

One of the highlights of his career is the 1993 Wild Card contest opposite the Denver Broncos. McCallum made three crucial touchdowns.

Mike Wahle was the second-round pick in the 1998 Supplement Draft. He played for the Green Bay Packers from 1998 to 2004.

He played Guard in the NFL.

Wahle was born on 29th March 1977 in Portland, Oregon. He went to Rim of the World High School in Lake Arrowhead, California. He was also a baseball pitcher in high school.

The 46-year-old was signed by the Carolina Panthers as a Free Agent in 2005. That year, he received his first and only Pro Bowl invite.

He played three seasons for the Panthers before signing a five-year contract with the Seattle Seahawks in 2008.

Due to a shoulder injury, Mike was placed on the injured reserve list and was released in 2009 after failing the physical test.