Maxwell Award winners

Orenthal James Simpson, also known by his nickname "the Juice", was an American professional football player, actor, and media personality who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons, primarily with the Buffalo Bills. Simpson is regarded as one of the greatest running backs of all time, but his success was overshadowed by his criminal trial and contentious acquittal for the murders of his former wife Nicole Brown and her friend Ron Goldman in 1994.

Peyton Williams Manning is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons. Nicknamed "the Sheriff", he spent 14 seasons with the Indianapolis Colts and four with the Denver Broncos. Manning is considered one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time. A member of the Manning football dynasty, he is the second son of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning, older brother of former NFL quarterback Eli Manning, and uncle of Texas Longhorns quarterback Arch Manning. He played college football for the Tennessee Volunteers, winning the Maxwell, Davey O'Brien, and Johnny Unitas Golden Arm awards as a senior en route to victory in the 1997 SEC Championship Game.

American football player (born 1981)

American football player and television analyst (born 1979)

American football and baseball player (born 1987)

Lamar Demeatrice Jackson Jr. is an American professional football quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Louisville Cardinals, winning the Heisman Trophy in 2016, and was selected by the Ravens with the final pick in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft. A two-time recipient of the NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP) award and the all-time leader in quarterback rushing yards, Jackson is regarded as one of the best quarterbacks of his generation, and by some analysts as one of the greatest dual-threat quarterbacks of all time.

Cameron Jerrell Newton is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons, primarily with the Carolina Panthers. Nicknamed "Super Cam", he is second in career quarterback rushing touchdowns and third in career quarterback rushing yards. Following a stint with the Florida Gators, Newton played college football for the Auburn Tigers, winning the Heisman Trophy and the 2011 BCS National Championship Game as a junior. He was selected first overall by the Panthers in the 2011 NFL draft.

American football player (born 1996)

American football player (born 1989)

American football player (born 1968)

Derrick Lamar Henry Jr. is an American professional football running back for the Baltimore Ravens of the National Football League (NFL). Nicknamed "King Henry", he is known for his imposing style of play and larger build than the average running back. Noted for his success at every stage of his career, Henry is the only player to have rushed for at least 2,000 yards in a season at the high school, college, and professional levels. He also led the nation in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns at all three levels.

Baker Reagan Mayfield is an American professional football quarterback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). Following one season of college football with the Texas Tech Red Raiders, he played for the Oklahoma Sooners, becoming the first walk-on player to win the Heisman Trophy. He was selected first overall by the Cleveland Browns in the 2018 NFL draft.

American football player and Navy officer (born 1942)

American football player (born 1998)

American football player (born 1993)

American gridiron football player (born 1983)

American football player and Republican Georgia Senate political candidate (born 1962)

American basketball and football player

American football player

American football player (born 1977)

Bryce Christopher Young is an American professional football quarterback for the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, setting the school record for most passing yards in a single game (559) and winning several player of the year awards in 2021, including the Heisman Trophy. Young was selected first overall by the Panthers in the 2023 NFL draft. In the 2025 season, he helped lead the Panthers to their first playoff appearance since 2017 and first division title since 2015.

American football player (born 1947)

American football player and analyst (born 1960)

American football player (born 1998)

American football player (born 1970)

American football player (born 1991)

American football player

American football player and actor (born 1950)

American football player (born 1954)

All-American college football player, professional football player, quarterback, Heisman Trophy winner

Caleb Williams is an American professional football quarterback for the Chicago Bears of the National Football League (NFL). Following one season of college football with the Oklahoma Sooners, he played for the USC Trojans and won the Heisman Trophy in 2022 after setting single-season school records in passing yards and touchdowns.

American football player

American football player (1921-2010)

All-American college football player, professional football player, running back

American football player and sportscaster (1919–1990)

American football player (1925-2015)

Player of American football (1934-2018)

American football player and Heisman Trophy winner (1924-2005)

American football quarterback

American football player (1927-1998)

American football player

American football player (1921–2022)

American football player (1934–2019)

player of American football

American football player, Heisman Trophy winner (1932-2016)

American football player (born 1986)

American football player and coach (born 1958)

American football player (1917-1977)

American football player and coach (born 1967)

American football player (born 2000)

American football quarterback

Heisman Trophy winner, Rhodes Scholar and U.S. Army Brigadier General

American football player (1928-2002)

Fernando Gabriel Mendoza V is an American professional football quarterback for the Las Vegas Raiders of the National Football League (NFL). Mendoza played college football for the California Golden Bears before transferring to the Indiana Hoosiers in 2025, where he won the Heisman Trophy en route to a national championship. He was selected by the Raiders first overall in the 2026 NFL draft.

American football and basketball player

American football player and coach (1924-2009)

American football player (born 1980)

American football player, advertising executive (1915-1992)

All-American college football player, professional football player, linebacker, College Football Hall of Fame member

American football player (born 2003)