To be a professional football player you must be a fitness marvel. Every day you need to workout and maintain a healthy diet. Without focusing on fitness, your body will have no chance of surviving the rigors of the NFL season. So the question is, of all the athletes in the NFL, who are the fittest?
The following ten players are truly fitness marvels, the best of the best. If you’re lucky enough to grab one of these players for your fantasy team, you’re guaranteed points all season long. You can watch every single game and never miss one of these top players with NFL Sunday Ticket on the RedZone Channel on DIRECTV.
JJ Watt
Without a doubt JJ Watt is one of the fittest athletes in the NFL. The Pro Bowl defensive linemen is both ridiculously strong and agile. His fitness focused lifestyle has led to him becoming one of the most dominant defensive forces in the entire NFL.
Steve Weatherford
Another incredibly fit football player is Steve Weatherford. Yes, that’s right; Steven Weatherford, the Giants punter. Normally punters are not known for being among the biggest or strongest athletes on the field. But Steve is in such great shape that he is able to maintain only 5% body fat, making him truly one of the fittest athletes on the field.
Jon Beason
Jon Beason’s career could have arguably been over if not for his focus on fitness. In 2011 he tore his Achilles tendon, an injury that could easily destroy a professional football player’s career. But his hard work and focus on fitness has led to a career resurgence.
Adrian Peterson
Much like Jon Beason, Adrian Peterson’s career would probably be over if not for his attention to fitness. In 2010 Peterson tore his ACL. But his attention to fitness helped him to not only return to football; but to do so in an incredible 9 months.
Cam Newton
Cam Newton may be one of the most genetically gifted athletes in the NFL. Cam takes speed and agility to a whole other level. Which is why it is no surprise that Cam has created a superman persona that his abilities exemplify.
Larry Fitzgerald
Larry Fitzgerald’s concentration on fitness is the reason he was the 2009 Pro Bowl MVP. Through grueling workouts he has made himself into one of the fastest and most agile receivers in the league.
Reggie Bush
Much like some of the other players on this list, Reggie Bush has had his share of injuries. But his fitness has allowed him to overcome those setbacks and become one of the league’s top gainers in yards from scrimmage nearly every year.
Clay Matthews
Thanks to his devotion to staying fit Clay Matthews has become one of the most dominant defensive forces in the NFL. Not only does he do regular football focused workouts, but he also trains in a high-intensity MMAthletics regimen cofounded by MMA legend Randy Couture.
Colin Kaepernick
Colin Kaepernick is another fitness marvel. He is strong, fast, agile, and one of the all-around fittest quarterbacks in the league. So, it is no wonder that his signature touchdown celebration is to simply kiss his biceps.
Rob Gronkowski
It is no secret that “Gronk” lives a very active lifestyle. He is known for being the life of the party, but he is also known for working hard. He eats very healthy and constantly works out. It is his emphasis on fitness that allows him to live the “Gronk” persona and be dominant on the field.
Fitness Matters in the NFL
Whether it be returning from injury or establishing and maintaining your dominance. Fitness is the key to success in any pro sport, but that is especially true with football. For that reason, it is no surprise that each of the athletes on this list are both incredibly successful on the field and incredibly fit.