In today’s society, we often look to movie stars and musicians for inspiration when it comes to how we style, cut, and color our hair, completely forgetting about the hairstyle ideas that professional athletes can provide to us.
Not only do they feel the pressure to look great at all times because the press is constantly hounding them, but professional athletes must also select hairstyles that are practical during intense workouts, unlike other celebrities. It seems like football players in particular always shave great taste when it comes to styling their hair, so check out these professional players and the awesome styles they’re rocking these days.
You may be a fan of long, lustrous locks, or perhaps you gravitate towards traditionally masculine styles, like close buzz cuts. Regardless, you’re bound to find something you like here! Whether you’re looking for some ideas for your own hair or just searching for some eye candy, you won’t regret scrolling through these awesome photos!
Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton may be famous for surpassing all expectations during his rookie year and beyond, but he’s also known for consistently looking polished and presentable. His afro hairstyle is all natural and trimmed to a shorter length to keep it neat and under control.
Minnesota Vikings defensive end Brian Robison was popular with the ladies not only for his skills on the field, but also for the ponytail that trailed along his back. However, when he snipped his famous ponytail and donated it to a cancer patient in need of a wig via Locks of Love, the world fell in love with his shorter style.
We can’t really blame Richard Sherman of the Seattle Seahawks for getting upset when Pierre Garcon pulled his dreads in an attempt to stop him on the field. Not only was the play completely illegal according to the NFL, it would be a tragedy for Sherman’s admirers if the skilled cornerback’s perfectly groomed, shoulder-length dreads were damaged!
Cameron Wake, a Miami Dolphins defensive end player, keeps it fresh by shaving the sides of his head and leaving his hair natural on top. His look is physical proof that short styles can have some edge, too!
Millions of women spend gobs of money and time in hair salons each year in hopes of transforming their locks into a blonde shade like that of Green Bay Packer linebacker Clay Matthews, who swears his shade is au natural. It’s no surprise that Matthews became an official spokesperson for shampoo and conditioner giant Suave back in 2014!
Matthews isn’t the only one with hair that’s garnering him a lucrative endorsement deal; Troy Polamalu (formerly of the Pittsburgh Steelers) has such an attractive, wavy mane that Head & Shoulders actually had his locks insured for $1 million dollars after he became their official spokesperson!
Julian Edelman’s classy haircut and style has been inarguably just as big of a hit with fans as his Superbowl player status as a wide receiver and punt returner for the New England Patriots. This refined hairstyle features a longer cut on the top that fades into short sides and a short back.
Odell Beckham, Jr. wears a Mohawk just as well as he wears his New York Giants jersey. While we think his hair looks fantastic the way it is, this wide receiver has also been known to play around with color and highlight the top of his Mohawk with a dark blonde hue.
Tom Brady, quarterback of the New England Patriots, can thank his supermodel wife, Giselle, for ensuring that his hair always looks great. Lately, he’s been sporting a longer, windswept style that’s trendy but also easily manageable on and off the field.
Let’s face it: Every woman wants her boyfriend to have hair like Eric Decker of the New York Jets. With lots of body and a deep brown shade, this wide receiver’s side-parted style is undeniably sexy.
Colin Kaepernick, quarterback of the San Francisco 49ers, adds edge to a basic buzz by having a swirl design etched atop his head. The acclaimed player’s signature symbol has been requested by masses of super fans at hair salons and barbershops across the nation ever since Kaepernick was first spotted sporting it.
The Kansas City Chiefs’ Aaron Murray’s tousled black hair is full of body and effortlessly styled to perfection. It’s no surprise that the talented quarterback is a favorite with female fans!
Victor Cruz, a wide receiver for the New York Giants is living proof that any guy with a smooth, great-shaped head can rock a closely shaved buzz cut. His hair is always neatly shorn and looking fresh!
While we were big fans of the shoulder-length style that Blaine Gabbert wore with pride as an NFL rookie, we adore the shorter style that the San Francisco 49ers player has been rocking lately. The side-parted cut makes the blonde quarterback look more seasoned and mature than his formerly flowing locks ever could.

Josh Freeman’s sleek and slicked up Mohawk has garnered him just as many female fans as his on-the-field skills have awarded him. Formerly of the Minnesota Vikings, the well-coiffed quarterback now pairs his Mohawk with a Miami Dolphins jersey.
While this quarterback’s hair could have been ranked among the NFL’s worst styles when he first appeared on the professional sports scene, a new ‘do ensures that Jay Cutler could always turn to male modeling if things don’t pan out with the NFL in the long run. With a little bit of product and the right cut, the Chicago Bears all-star has gone from sloppy to striking, thanks to his hair!
Not quite a Mohawk but more dimensional and complex than an all-over buzz, guys all over the country are requesting haircuts like Demaryius Thomas, a wide receiver for the Denver Broncos.
Defensive end Justin James Watt, also known as “J.J.,” is just as famous for his great hair as he is for his stellar football career and charity work. When he’s not helping young athletes through is nonprofit or on the field with the Houston Texans, he’s styling his sexy and spiky blond hair!
Danny Amendola, a wide receiver for the New England Patriots, is famous for being one of the NFL’s hottest sex symbols. It’s easy to see why, with his gorgeous brunette locks that are always perfectly side-swept.
New England Patriots player Rob Gronkowskiis just one more reason that his team is filled with the hottest players in the NFL. Also known as “Gronk,” the tight end is loved for his playboy reputation, as well as for his spiked hairstyle.
Sure, plenty of athletes may sport dreadlocked hairstyles, but we can’t think of anyone with dreads as thick and colossal as those of the Tennessee Titans’ Chris Johnson. The free agent running back is giving Lil’ Wayne some competition when it comes to who can rock the more massive dreads!
While Domata Peko of the Cincinnati Bengals has received a lot of criticism from those that think his hair is out of control and unruly, we think it’s absolutely awesome. The defensive tackle is truly a style icon, as he is credited with starting a long hair trend among NFL players. His long mane even has its own Facebook page, with hundreds of dedicated followers who find his hairstyle to be alluring and totally sexy! Allow this acclaimed football star to be your inspiration if you have ever dreamt of letting your hair grown down your back!
A girl would have to be completely insane to give up the opportunity to run her hands through Mark Sanchez’s wavy, chocolate brown mane! While the quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles has worn it both long and short over the years, we prefer the medium-length style he’s currently rocking in 2015.

While he may have retired from the NFL a few years back, Scott Fujita (formerly of Kansas City Chiefs) is still making headlines for his philanthropic work and personal life. We also think he should be getting some positive press for his hair, which always look absolutely incredible! The famous linebacker’s middle parted, chocolate brown locks with a slight wave would make anyone envious!
Larry Fitzgerald of the Arizona Cardinals describes his ornate dreadlock style as a “silent tribute” to his deceased mother, who always loved his appearancewhen his hair was in long dreads. We can certainly understand why she enjoyed seeing her son wear such a style, as he isn’t satisfied with just letting his dreads hang in a sloppy manner. In fact, the wide receiver has a full-scale salon in his home and is usually seen wearing intricately weaved ponytails and buns like the one pictured here!