January 25, 2014; Honolulu, HI, USA; Arizona Cardinals receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) takes the handoff from San Diego Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers (17) during the 2014 Pro Bowl Ohana Day at Aloha Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Former NFL cornerback Deion Sanders once said in an ESPN interview, “If you look good, you feel good. If you feel good, you play good.” Now an analyst for the NFL Network, Primetime has continued this philosophy by donning a new custom-made suit for each show.
NFL players today earn far more money from their contracts than Deion did, which is readily apparent when you get a glimpse of some of their off-field attire. Here are five well-dressed NFL players who stand out from all the rest.
Cruz’s NFL career got off to a rocky start when he went undrafted as a rookie in 2010. He signed as a free agent with the New York Giants that year, but barely touched the field. Injuries and departures by other Giants wide receivers presented Cruz with a huge opportunity in 2011. Cruz accumulated 2,600 yards and 19 touchdowns from 2011-12, which earned him a $45 million contract. The 27-year-old All-Pro certainly looks the part too.
Both Esquire and Vanity Fair named him the best-dressed NFL player in 2013 for his skinny gray suits and always manicured nails. His windowpane check jackets and patterned ties set him apart from the others. Cruz ultimately launched his own clothing line, Young Whales Clothing, which includes sneakers, T-shirts and other urban wear.
Larry Fitzgerald
Dec 29, 2013; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Larry Fitzgerald (11) runs the ball against the San Francisco 49ers in the second quarter at University of Phoenix Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Fitz is known for two things: making terrible quarterbacks look NFL-worthy and his unique style when it comes to suits. His custom-tailored suits typically have square pockets and a shirt with a contrasting collar. Sports Illustrated asked 250 NFL players which of their colleagues had the best fashion sense off the field in 2011 and Fitz came out on top. The glasses and long dreadlocks probably gave him the edge above all others.
Tom Brady
January 19, 2014; Denver, CO, USA; New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) against the Denver Broncos in the 2013 AFC Championship football game at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
There’s no way a two-time Super Bowl champion quarterback with a supermodel for a wife can be excluded from a list like this. Brady is considered somewhat of a standard-bearer when it comes to well-dressed athletes due to his ever-changing hairstyles and tailored suits by Ermenegildo Zegna and Tom Ford. Ugg boots got a huge boost in style points as well when Brady started endorsing its products this year, making the boots a popular item for holiday sales. The nice-guy factor is also huge with Tom Terrific. He once gave each of his offensive linemen brand new Audi Q7 SUVs and all of his teammates received a free pair of Ugg slippers this year.
Reggie Bush
Feb 1, 2014; New York, NY, USA; Detroit Lions running back Reggie Bush (right) and fiance Lilit Avagyan walk the red carpet prior to the NFL Honors at Radio City Music Hall. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Bush was trained early as a member of the USC Trojans football on how to dress Hollywood style. His custom tuxedos and aviator shades are fixtures in his wardrobe. He is known to accessorize an expensive suit with a baseball cap or Ralph Lauren bag. Bush’s chiseled physique gives him great flexibility to wear anything and make it look good. A man’s best fashion assets are a trim tummy and large shoulders, according to Complex.com. Fortunately for Bush, he has both.
Calvin Johnson
Dec 22, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) warms up before the game against the New York Giants at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
When Megatron isn’t abusing defensive backs, he’s dazzling the fashion world with his pinstripe suits and polka-dotted ties. Johnson had the same fashion sense even before signing his first NFL contract. He showed up at the 2007 NFL Draft in a pinstripe suit as well. He’s unfortunately stuck with the Detroit Lions for the foreseeable future, but at least he’ll look good in a losing effort.
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