Retired San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice. Neville E. Guard-USA TODAY Sports

Three NFL legends who deserve a Jerry West-like logo

By Bruce Ewing | Last updated Jun 12, 2024 8:48 PM ET

The late Jerry West had a Hall of Fame career as a player and executive, but some will always remember him as the inspiration for the NBA’s logo. The NFL’s logo doesn’t feature a player. But what if it did?

Here’s three NFL legends we’d consider for the logo.

RB Jim Brown

Anyone who saw him play will tell you that Brown was the best player the NFL has ever seen. After a two-sport career at Syracuse (he’s also in the National Lacrosse Hall of Fame), Brown joined Cleveland as the No. 6 pick in the 1957 NFL Draft.

He helped the Browns win an NFL championship in 1964 and finished his career with eight All-Pro nominations and three MVP awards.

Brown was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame after rushing for 12,312 and 106 touchdowns in nine years with Cleveland. He retired as the NFL’s all-time rushing leader in 1967 and currently ranks 11th.

More importantly, Brown played Robert Jefferson in 1967’s "The Dirty Dozen," a role that hastened his retirement when team owner Paul Brown fined him for missing training camp while shooting the movie.

RIP to the legend, the logo, Jerry West pic.twitter.com/e8XJD9jDt2
— DraftKings (@DraftKings) June 12, 2024

WR Jerry Rice

Brown's NFL touchdown record would stand until 1994 when Jerry Rice surpassed him with 127. His career 208 touchdowns are still a record, as are his 1,549 receptions and 22,895 yards.

Among active players, the Raiders’ Davonte Adams (95) is closest to Rice’s touchdown record, DeAndre Hopkins (928) is closest to his receptions record and until he retires, Julio Jones’ 13,703 yards are closest to Rice’s mark.

The longtime 49er retired with 38 NFL records and according to his website, still holds 36. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2010 and like Brown, is considered by many as the best to ever play his position.

QB Tom Brady

Unlike Brown and Rice, the former New England Patriot already has a logo. He also has a record seven Super Bowl rings and more passing yards (89,214) than any player in NFL history. Stats like that have earned him GOAT status and of all three choices, Brady’s probably the best option.

The NFL’s first official logo debuted in 1940 with only minor changes since then. The current design features eight stars on its shield leaving little room for a former star player, even Brady.

Bruce Ewing

Bruce Ewing is 183 pounds of twisted steel and Happy Meals. His work has appeared on Yardbarker, 5th Down Fantasy, Inside the Iggles and MSN. Give a Philly fan a break and follow him on Twitter/X at @fantasybruce.

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