The National Football League (NFL) has always been a stage for showing off athletic abilities, tactical understanding, and the spirit of competition. But beyond too many TDs and tackles, one more level of engagement has fascinated supporters for decades: the broad appeal among its most beautiful players. The strong jawline, the white smile, and some of these gridiron heartthrobs are icons on and off the field.

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Fans have always been interested in good-looking athletes, but how that attention is perceived has changed. When football was in its infancy, players were paid to play the game, not necessarily for their playing attributes like we see from superstars of today. This trend seems to be encouraged by social media and athletes' endorsements, turning many of the NFL's biggest stars into celebrities.

Today, the NFL's best-looking players often sign massive endorsement deals and have millions of social media followers who know their faces long after they take off the helmet. Good looks and charm helped expand the fan base of a growing sport, so even decades into their retirement, they remain relevant with one foot in today's pro football world.

A Look At The Top 10 Hottest NFL Players

1. Joe Namath

Joe Namath, better known as "Broadway Joe," was the epitome of cool in the 1960s and '70s. The New York Jets punt-pass jawdsman was not only a dynamic scorer but an image exceeding jugastes the sport with top-model good looks and unprecedented in while matinee idol cool.

Namath's matinee idol looks, coupled with his flamboyant fashion sense including infamous fur coats and a decidedly self-assured aura helped to cordon him off as one of the first sex symbols in NFL history. His bright blue eyes, chiseled jawline, and hair that never moved secured him many sponsorship deals and performing gigs.

Decades after his retirement, football fans and pop culture enthusiasts still swoon over Namath's good looks and charisma.

2. Tom Brady

A seven-time Super Bowl champion, Brady's widely considered the best quarterback ever. Still, his handsome face has helped him win over fans.

Brady's perfect smile, piercing blue eyes, and chiseled features have graced the covers of more than one or two magazines and advertisements. His lean athletic body and impeccable style statement on and off the field have made him a fashion icon.

At nearly 50-years-old, he is still regarded as one of the best-looking men in sports, and his visual appeal only continues to develop with time.

3. Jimmy Garoppolo

Since entering the league in 2014, Jimmy Garoppolo (or "Jimmy G" for short) has been a sight. With the quarterback's movie star looks, that chiseled jawline, warm brown eyes, and perfectly coiffed hair. He also has an all-American look, and endorsement deals were already thrown his way as if he was a Kardashian just for finishing in third place on "The Bachelorette".

Injuries have occasionally made Garoppolo a spectator on the field, but he is still widely considered one of football's best-looking men.

4. Cam Newton

Cam Newton's unique combination of swag and sex appeal makes him number one on this list. With his ridiculous fashion acumen, off-field personality, and handsomeness, the former NFL MVP is a walking head-turner.

His bright smile, expressive eyes, and chiseled face have since become the ultimate photo op for photographers keen to snap an image of him so that they can add their touch.

Newton is not afraid to push the boundaries of fashion, and his playful confidence adds even more charm. It all combines to make Newton possibly the most charismatic player in NFL history, and it is even more exciting because of how stylish he looks while doing it.

5. Rob Gronkowski

The former tight end's chiseled looks, rock-hard body, and free-wheeling personality have made him a well-liked man of the people among fans and media alike. Gronk is a chiseled 6'5" and 265 pounds of pure muscle. But his boyish charm, winning smile, and a bit of cheekiness make him stand out.

Gronkowski is an excellent-looking guy, but his appeal goes beyond that. The result is that it has earned him a place in the hearts of fans and established himself as one of popular culture's most celebrated figures because his fun-loving nature always makes jokes about himself.

6. Reggie Bush

With chiseled looks, soulful eyes, and a million-dollar smile, the running back was immediately marketable for any company or cause. He also benefited from a slender, athletic frame and smooth running style. His refreshing style sense and flamboyant personality made him a red carpet darling and sought-after celebrity off the field. 

Though Bush's NFL career had highs and lows, there was no question about how good-looking the guy was.

7. Julian Edelman

The Former New England Patriots wide receiver has a rugged beard, an intense look, and sharp features that make his face quite masculine. Even more impressive is Edelman's physique and toughness on the field, in addition to his good looks. His becoming one of the most dependable receivers in the NFL after being a collegiate quarterback as recently as 2007 only sweetens up what he brings.

He is a fan favorite off the field, with a sense of humor and a down-to-earth nature that complements his on-field appeal.

8. Eric Decker

With his all-American good looks and hot body, Eric Decker fits the bill. The former wide receiver was a fan and photographer favourite due to his chiseled jawline and ice-cold blue eyes.

The 6-foot-3 Decker parlayed his height and muscle mass to the field, where he was a superstar wide receiver in college at Minnesota and recorded several modeling agreements, notably as part of GQ magazine's sleep time spread. Coupling that with his boy-next-door charm and an honest, frank smile, there was no way not to be more than a little charmed by Decker.

9. Danny Amendola

You can't have a list of the most handsome athletes without including someone like Danny Amendola. The former NFL wide receiver's chiseled good looks, steely stare, and perfectly groomed hair make him a favorite with fashion photographers and fans.

Add to this Amendola's lean, sinewy frame and graceful movements on the field. He has seamlessly transitioned to off-the-field duties, partly due to his passion for fashion and modeling.

Amendola, never the highest-profile star on the field throughout his 11-year career, immediately developed a bit of an off-field celebrity as well for his looks and charm, which have been parlayed well into life beyond playing days.

10. Colin Kaepernick

Last but certainly not least on the list of our most beautiful NFL players, Colin Kaepernick, with his statuesque features and dominating aura, is easily one of football's most recognizable faces. His chiseled features, intense eyes and bold hairstyles have stood out both on the field while playing quarterback and off of it.

Kaepernick's tall, thin frame and fluid athleticism when he played in the NFL added to his image. Even off the field, his style and dedication to social issues have only made him more appealing to fans.

Sure, he may have been mired in controversy at the end of his career, but Kaepernick is one of the most photogenic and handsome players to grace an NFL field.

What the future holds for public intrigue surrounding attractive NFL players remains to be seen. Social media is the dominant platform, and players have become more accessible to show off their attractiveness, which plays into personal branding.

However, remember that real appeal is a lot more than appearances. The NFL heartthrobs that truly land in the history books bring a little extra to their good looks, such as charisma, talent, or an otherwise kind relationship with the public. As football evolves and expands, expect a new crop of faces that will send hearts ablaze in the future.