A gentleman from a northern school once said the most iconic players from each NFL team would mostly have played in the Big Ten. After careful consideration, a check of his theory rings untrue.<\/p>\n
In fact, only two players from that conference earned the distinction of the most iconic player of a franchise.<\/p>\n
Here is a list of the faces of the franchise for each AFC team and a couple of defunct teams.<\/p>\n
This was an easy choice. Could anyone disagree with Tom Brady<\/strong><\/a> (Michigan)? Prior to Brady\u2019s arrival in New England, the choice for the New England Patriots<\/a> would have been tight end Russ Francis<\/strong><\/a> or guard John Hannah<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n With all the numbers he put up, Dan Marino<\/strong><\/a> (Pitt) gets the nod. The entire 1972 undefeated Miami Dolphins<\/a> team should be recognized, but Marino\u2019s stats are undeniable.<\/p>\n Please keep in mind this list is for on-the-field achievements, so the choice is O.J. Simpson<\/strong><\/a> (USC). In his time, Simpson was simply the best in the game. Cornelius Bennett<\/strong><\/a> was a close second.<\/p>\n The only quarterback to take the New York Jets<\/a> to the Super Bowl is Joe Namath<\/strong><\/a> (Alabama) and he is the pick. No other player really stands out in the franchise except for maybe Mark Gastineau<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n This is another easy choice, linebacker Ray Lewis<\/strong><\/a> (Miami). No one in the Baltimore Ravens<\/a> short history played with his raw emotion.<\/p>\n Johnny Unitas<\/strong><\/a> (Louisville) must be the selection for the original Colts. Of course, this comes with apologies to Bubba Smith<\/a><\/strong>, Mike Curtis<\/strong><\/a>, Lenny Moore<\/strong><\/a> and John Mackey<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n The Pittsburgh Steelers<\/a> of the 70s had a lot of offensive firepower. Terry Bradshaw<\/strong><\/a>, Lynn Swann<\/strong><\/a> and John Stallworth<\/strong><\/a> led the passing attack with\u00a0Franco Harris<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0and Rocky Bleier<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0at running back. But the heartbeat of that team was on the other side of the ball. The most iconic Steeler is linebacker Jack Lambert<\/strong><\/a> (Kent State).<\/p>\n The greatest short career of all time is Jim Brown<\/strong><\/a> (Syracuse). He was possibly the hardest runner in the history of the NFL. Otto Graham<\/strong><\/a> is a close second, however.<\/p>\n Ken Anderson<\/strong><\/a> and Boomer Esiason<\/strong><\/a> filled the air with footballs and Anthony Munoz<\/strong><\/a> is the greatest offensive lineman in Cincinnati Bengals<\/a> history. But the pick here is linebacker Reggie Williams<\/strong><\/a> (Dartmouth). Not only did he play great for the Bengals, but he later served as the director of sports development for Disney.<\/p>\n The Houston Texans<\/a> haven\u2019t been around that long, but during his tenure J.J. Watt<\/strong><\/a> (Wisconsin) has become the iconic player of the franchise. The only other choice could have been wide receiver Andre Johnson<\/strong><\/a>, but Watt has had more success.<\/p>\n During the \u201cLuv Ya Blue\u201d days in Houston, Earl Campbell<\/strong><\/a> (Texas) was the Oilers. The franchise had other stars like Ken Burrough<\/strong><\/a>, Elvin Bethea<\/strong><\/a>, Robert Brazile<\/strong><\/a> and Billy \u201cWhite Shoes\u201d Johnson<\/strong><\/a>, but no one came close to Campbell\u2019s talent.<\/p>\n Peyton Manning<\/strong><\/a> (Tennessee) basically carried the Indianapolis Colts<\/a> during his career, and he is the easy pick. Marvin Harrison<\/strong><\/a> and Edgerrin James<\/strong><\/a> would have been the only other contenders.<\/p>\n The only choice here is Steve McNair<\/strong><\/a> (Alcorn State). He took the Tennessee Titans<\/a>, an expansion franchise, and led them to within one yard of a Super Bowl win.<\/p>\n Mark Brunell<\/strong><\/a> was a great leader during his time with the Jacksonville Jaguars<\/a>, but the iconic choice is offensive tackle Tony Boselli<\/strong><\/a> (USC). He anchored the Jaguars offensive line for years and kept Brunell and others upright.<\/p>\n The Kansas City Chiefs<\/a> won Super Bowl IV behind Len Dawson<\/a><\/strong>, Otis Taylor<\/strong><\/a>, Mike Garrett<\/strong><\/a>, Buck Buchanan<\/strong><\/a> and Willie Lanier<\/strong><\/a>. But Derrick Thomas<\/strong> <\/a>(Alabama) once had seven sacks in one game and set other league sack records. He gets the honor.<\/p>\n Dan Fouts<\/strong><\/a> and Philip Rivers<\/strong><\/a> were and are great quarterbacks, Kellen Winslow<\/strong><\/a> was almost unstoppable, and Lance Alworth<\/strong><\/a> was a highlight reel at wide receiver. But the leader of the Chargers both on and off the field was Junior Seau<\/strong><\/a> (USC). He is clearly the face of the franchise.<\/p>\n In the words of Denver Broncos<\/a> owner Pat Bowlen<\/strong><\/a>, \u201cThis one\u2019s for John.\u201d John Elway<\/strong><\/a> (Stanford) not only was the leader of the franchise on the field, he is continuing his leadership as Denver\u2019s general manager. Shannon Sharpe<\/strong><\/a>, Terrell Davis<\/strong><\/a>, Karl Mecklenburg<\/strong><\/a> and Dennis Smith<\/strong><\/a> all had great careers, but none were as long or as storied as Elway\u2019s.<\/p>\nMiami Dolphins<\/h2>\n
Buffalo Bills<\/h2>\n
New York Jets<\/h2>\n
Baltimore Ravens<\/h2>\n
Baltimore Colts<\/h2>\n
Pittsburgh Steelers<\/h2>\n
Cleveland Browns<\/h2>\n
Cincinnati Bengals<\/h2>\n
Houston Texans<\/h2>\n
Houston Oilers<\/h2>\n
Indianapolis Colts<\/h2>\n
Tennessee Titans<\/h2>\n
Jacksonville Jaguars<\/h2>\n
Kansas City Chiefs<\/h2>\n
Los Angeles\/San Diego Chargers<\/h2>\n
Denver Broncos<\/h2>\n