Football is family, says the NFL, and there’s actually more truth to that than you might think. Consider for a moment one of the biggest storylines to accompany the last Super Bowl: the championship showdown between Jason and Travis Kelce.
Thanks to the 2023 NFL Draft, the league also introduced the latest example of another form of family football success: the father-son bond. Penn State cornerback Joey Porter Jr. landed with the Steelers early in the second round. And his NFL entry furthered an existing legacy; His father, Joey Porter, was a five-time All-Pro linebacker for none other than the Steelers, Dolphins and Cardinals and set the tone for Pittsburgh’s title-winning defense from 1999-2006.
Porter isn’t the only one following in his famous father’s footsteps as an active NFL player. In honor of Father’s Day weekend, here’s a look at some of the biggest names who already have elite bloodlines:
The No. 8 pick in the 2021 draft, Horn recorded three picks in his first extended season as the Panthers’ top coverman in 2022. His father, Joe Horn, was one of the most prolific wide receivers in Saints history, recording four different 1,200-yard seasons between 2000 and 2004 and spending a total of seven years with New Orleans, earning him a place in the Hall of Secured the franchise’s fame.
Surtain, who was drafted one spot after Horn in 2021, is already considered one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL at 22, six total picks and 24 pass deflections in two years as the Broncos defense leader. His father, Patrick Surtain, played 11 seasons at the same position and recorded 37 career picks as a three-time Pro Bowler with the Dolphins (1998-2004) and Chiefs (2005-2008).
As the Chargers’ second-round pick in 2021, Samuel was hardworking early in his career, amassing 22 pass deflections and four interceptions in two years. His father, Asante Samuel, was one of the all-time greatest Ballhawks, amassing 51 picks (32nd in NFL history) and two Super Bowl rings in a career primarily fueled by stints with the Patriots (2003-2007) and the Eagles (2008-2008). 2011).
Pittman, a USC second-round pick in 2020, is the Colts’ most consistent pass catcher with 2,510 receiving yards in his first three seasons. His father, Michael Pittman, played 11 seasons as a running back, primarily with the Cardinals (1998–2001) and Buccaneers (2002–2007), and he led Tampa Bay in rushing during the team’s 2002 Super Bowl run.
Winfield has set the tone for the Buccaneers since arriving as a second-round pick in 2020, the same year he helped lead Tampa Bay to a Super Bowl victory. His father, Antoine Winfield, was a three-time Pro Bowler and a Vikings mainstay. He spent nine of his 14 NFL seasons in Minnesota as a respected starter.
Runyan, a sixth-round pick in 2020, has been Green Bay’s right starter for the past two seasons. His father, Jon Runyan, is an acclaimed inductee of the Eagles Hall of Fame and was Donovan McNabb’s right tackle for nine years (2000-2008). The elder Runyan also earned an All-Pro honors during a four-year run with the Oilers/Titans (1996-1999), early in his career.
As the 2019 second-round player of the year, Metcalf has used his imposing size to total 4,200 yards and 35 touchdowns in his first four seasons, making him one of the Seahawks’ best weapons. His father, Terrence, was from the same school, Ole Miss, and spent seven seasons as a guard for the Bears (2002-2008), appearing in all 16 games during Chicago’s 2006 Super Bowl bid.
After five years with the Ravens and the title-winning Chiefs, Brown is a lucrative signing for the Bengals this offseason and a four-time Pro Bowler in left tackle. His father, Orlando Brown Sr., made 119 right tackle starts in ten seasons with the Browns and Ravens and was named 2003 Comeback Player of the Year after a three-year hiatus from the game.
Humphrey, who was drafted 16th overall by Alabama in 2017, has been one of the better cornerbacks in the NFL since arriving, recording three Pro Bowl nods and 67 pass deviations in his career with the Ravens. His father, Bobby Humphrey, was a star running back for the Crimson Tide before playing five NFL seasons with the Broncos and Dolphins, rushing for 1,100 yards in each of his first two seasons.
Ranked No. 8 for the Panthers in 2017, McCaffrey battled injury to shine as an All-Pro multi-weapon in both Carolina and now San Francisco. His father, Ed McCaffrey, set the tone for his passing skills and spent 13 seasons between the Giants and the Broncos. At Denver, the elder McCaffrey surpassed 1,000 yards for three straight years and retired with three Super Bowl rings.
Jordan is an absolute Saint, having amassed eight Pro Bowls and 115.5 sacks since arriving as a first-rounder in 2011. His father, Steve Jordan, was also in charge of the line, albeit as a longtime, six-time Pro Bowl tight end for the Vikings, totaling 6,300 receiving yards and officiating six playoff runs in 13 popular seasons in Minnesota.
A first-round pick by the Steelers in 2011, Heyward has been a staple on Pittsburgh’s defensive line ever since, earning six straight Pro Bowl picks. His father, Craig Heyward, aptly nicknamed “Ironhead,” came from Pittsburgh to play 11 seasons as a fullback and running back, primarily with the Saints (1988–1992) and the Falcons (1994–1996), where he reached 1,400 scrimmage yards 29.
Slater, a fifth-round pick by the Patriots in 2008, is still a strong captain of Bill Belichick’s special team at 37. He’s beginning his 16th season — and seeking an 11th Pro Bowl nomination — as a coverage specialist. His father, Jackie Slater, enjoyed his own Hall of Famer career as a seven-time Pro Bowl tackle for the Rams, appearing in a then-record 259 games over a 20-year run (1976-1995).