Although we have honored the longest-active NFL players, those who came before them are just as important because they played a significant role in shaping the culture and history of American football. Many of the oldest living retired football players were old enough to serve in the military during World War II. Let's now explore the Top 10 oldest living football players list with admin Wintips.
Top 10 oldest living football players today
1. Cecil Souders (January 3, 1921) - The oldest living NFL player
A World War II veteran, Cecil Souders earned All-American honors three times for Ohio State University before turning pro. Although Souders was drafted by the Washington Redskins in 1945, he didn’t start his professional career until 1947, when he joined the Detroit Lions.
Souders remained with the Lions until the end of the 1949 season. At 99 years old, he is the oldest living former NFL player. Though Souders' college career boasts more achievements than his professional career, he remains a hero both on and off the field.
2. Ken Casanega (February 18, 1921) - The oldest living former NFL player
Ken Casanega was part of the San Francisco 49ers when they joined the All-America Football Conference in 1946, alongside another player on this list, Jesse Freitas Sr. (Coincidentally, both Casanega and Freitas were born in February 1921.) Like Freitas, Casanega served in the military during World War II and played football at Santa Clara University before the war began.
Castaneda stated that he had no intention of becoming a professional football player after the war but chose to join the San Francisco 49ers when Tony Morabito called to inform him about the formation of a new professional team.
Morabito, an alumnus of Santa Clara, and 49ers captain Buck Shaw, a former Santa Clara coach, appealed to Castaneda’s college roots and persuaded him to join the team.
3. Charley Trippi (December 14, 1921) - One of the oldest living football players
Charley Trippi was an early football superstar, often described as a "quadruple threat." He once stated, "Back then, the more you could do, the more you could demand in salary. I could run, pass, kick, and catch, and that made me valuable." Trippi spent nine seasons with the Chicago Cardinals (now the Arizona Cardinals) and had a remarkable career.
Because Trippi was highly versatile, he played multiple positions over several seasons, including left halfback, quarterback, and offensive wingback. Trippi spent his final seasons with the Cardinals as part of their defensive unit. He was honored with inductions into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1959 and the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1968.
4. Dub Jones (December 29, 1924)
Dub Jones, born William Augustus Jones, is among the few former professional football players who have reached their late 90s. Jones was drafted by the Chicago Cardinals in 1946 but chose not to sign with the team, opting instead to remain at Louisiana State University to complete his education. However, the Miami Seahawks offered Jones a $12,000 contract (equivalent to over $160,000 today), which he accepted. Shortly after, Jones was traded to the Brooklyn Dodgers, where he saw limited playing time.
At the beginning of the 1947 season, Jones suffered an injury and was traded to the Cleveland Browns, where he eventually excelled after making a full recovery. He remained with the Browns until his retirement in 1955. In 1963, he returned as a coach and later left football entirely in 1968.
5. Bud Grant (May 20, 1927) - One of the oldest living football players
Bud Grant is best known for his successful coaching career, but he was also a professional athlete who competed in the NFL, CFL, and NBA. After graduating from college, he was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in 1950 but initially chose to play for the Minneapolis Lakers of the NBA from 1949 to 1951 before transitioning to football.
Grant joined the Eagles midway through the 1951 season and continued playing into the next season. He then played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the CFL until 1956. The following year, Grant began his coaching career with the Blue Bombers, a role he held for nearly a decade. Eventually, Grant became the head coach of the Minnesota Vikings in 1967 and stayed with the team for 18 seasons.
6. Hugh McElhenny (December 31, 1928) - One of the oldest living football players
Hugh McElhenny has long been one of the most famous San Francisco 49ers players. McElhenny began his NFL career with the 49ers in 1952 and played for the team until 1960. During his final two years with the 49ers, McElhenny suffered multiple injuries and was selected in the 1961 NFL expansion draft by the newly formed Minnesota Vikings.
During his time in the NFL, McElhenny was dubbed "The King" for his charismatic and elusive running style. He had an extremely long stride and high knees, which helped him cover ground quickly. At the time of his retirement, McElhenny was one of just three players to surpass 11,000 all-purpose yards.
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7. Bill McColl (April 2, 1930)
Dr. Bill McColl was a star college football player who later played in the NFL for the Chicago Bears. He grew up playing multiple sports beyond football, including basketball, baseball, and track and field. After graduating from high school in 1948, he was considered one of Southern California's top athletes and decided to attend Stanford University as a pre-med student.
Despite his rigorous academic schedule, McColl excelled in football, and in 1952, he was picked up by George Halas' Chicago Bears. McColl played all eight seasons of his NFL career with the Bears. Upon retiring from the NFL, McColl worked as an orthopedic surgeon and served in Korea as a Presbyterian missionary physician from 1962 to 1964.
8. Joe Schmidt (January 19, 1932) - Among the oldest living football players
Joe Schmidt is another former NFL player who had a long tenure as a coach. Throughout his career as both a player and a coach, Schmidt was associated with the Detroit Lions from 1953 to 1972. Initially playing as a linebacker (known as a "defensive halfback" at the time), Schmidt established himself as the defensive leader of the Lions.
Schmidt earned immense respect from his team and was selected as the Lions' captain for nine consecutive seasons. Although he was not the first middle linebacker, he played a crucial role in emphasizing the importance of this position in football.
9. Raymond Berry (February 27, 1933) - One of the oldest living football players
Raymond Berry was a split end, a precursor to the wide receiver position, for the Baltimore Colts from 1955 to 1967. After retiring as a player, he worked as an assistant coach for several teams before serving as the head coach of the New England Patriots from 1984 to 1989.
Interestingly, Berry didn’t fit the typical stereotype of a football player and was often considered small and unassuming. However, Berry worked tirelessly to overcome his physical limitations and became one of the greatest wide receivers of his era. His dedication paid off, earning him induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1973.
10. Lenny Moore (November 25, 1933)
Lenny Moore played alongside Raymond Berry for the Baltimore Colts from 1956 to 1967. Unlike most players on this list, Moore never pursued a coaching career. Moore was a full-back/winger and played a crucial role in making the Colts one of the top teams of that era.
Moore was famous for his speed, which made him an excellent runner. He was also a great scorer, having scored 63 rushing touchdowns in 12 seasons in the NFL. In 1962, Moore suffered a knee injury and lost his starting position, but he quickly regained it the following season.
Conclusion
So, we've explored the Top 10 oldest living football players, along with insights from a betting website. Each of these players competed in the National Football League (NFL) or one of its predecessors. Before the AFL merged with the NFL in 1970, neither the AFC, NFC, Super Bowl, nor Pro Bowl existed, and many of the modern traditions fans cherish today had yet to emerge. However, many of these athletes became legends and early pioneers of the NFL era. Thank you for your interest in today's sports history.
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