After Hall of Famer Jim Brown died on Thursday, many people have declared him to be the best football player of all time. Therefore, fans, analysts and NFL personalities are giving their opinions to who else is on the list of the best ever, regardless of position.
The latest to give his take is Jim Irsay, as the Colts owner chimed in with his top five players of all time. Surprisingly, Irsay didn’t list a single Colt in his top five, instead opting for a pretty objective list that included two serious Colts rivals in Tom Brady and John Elway.
On my list of Top 5 Greatest NFL Players of All Time,in our 103 year History… I have Top 5 as 1)Jim Brown 2)Tom Brady 3)John Elway 4)Deacon Jones 5)Reggie White.🏈
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) May 19, 2023
Well, Irsay’s decision to exclude Peyton Manning in favor of Brady and Elway, not even to mention Joe Montana or Dan Marino, did not go over well with some NFL fans, Colts fans in particular.
I love you Jim but Brady over Manning, Montana or Marino at the QB position? Brady is the greatest system QB in NFL history, I’ll give you that. But you left off guys like Jerry Rice, Randy Moss and LT to put Brady in? https://t.co/lKtM1AzzvG
— Stephen Reed (@NiceReedSteve) May 20, 2023
Plz nod your head once if you are being held hostage… https://t.co/zjOBY1OYSg
— Colts Coverage (@Colts_Coverage) May 20, 2023
Peyton Manning? You’re very own quarterback for many years…. https://t.co/ziTDkpyGtR
— MLFootball (@_MLFootball) May 20, 2023
https://t.co/Cp1hzUhxzR pic.twitter.com/ttlVLqQaUs
— Josh Wilson (@JoshWilsonSB) May 20, 2023
https://t.co/ykn0HI7rgf pic.twitter.com/iJz5jfAxB9
— Justin Bauerle (@justinbauerle) May 20, 2023
Other people respected Irsay staying objective in the exercise, despite the potential to remain a Colts homer.
This always opens up lively debate. I’ve gotta find room for Jerry Rice and Lawrence Taylor. I enjoy the Manning vs Brady discussion. I wouldn’t have Elway top 5, but that’s me. https://t.co/GZ6VGAfRgS
— Mike Chappell (@mchappell51) May 20, 2023
In all seriousness, can’t help but respect the objectivity here. https://t.co/RKd0trLZY4
— Stephen Holder (@HolderStephen) May 20, 2023
Irsay has been a part of the Colts organization for the majority of his life, so he has seen so many legendary players from a unique perspective. Therefore, the list of his top five players ever is notable, regardless of his criteria.
