Dominant European Players in the NFL

by Jeremy Block - 2/10/2025

European players in the NFL Sebastian Janikowski

We all know about the usual suspects who dominate the NFL -- quarterbacks, running backs, and the occasional defensive superstar. But what about the foreign-born athletes who came from across the Atlantic to turn the gridiron into their personal playground?

That's right, we’re talking about the Europeans who’ve made their mark in the NFL. It’s time to give a tip of the hat to the players who didn’t just represent their countries - they flat out dominated on the field.

Doc’s Sports offers NFL expert picks for every game on our NFL predictions page.

Morten Andersen

First up, let’s talk about Morten Andersen, the Danish kicker who somehow made 25 seasons in the NFL look easy. You don’t just stick around in the league for a quarter of a century without being seriously good.

Andersen scored more career points than anyone else in NFL history (other than Adam Vinateri -- you heard that right). With over 500 career field goals and a reputation for being as clutch as a last-minute cup of coffee, Andersen cemented himself as an all-time great. If you were the opposing team and Andersen was lining up for a kick, you could pretty much kiss the game goodbye. Talk about a scoring machine.

Jan Stenerud

If you’re talking about European kickers, Jan Stenerud is the guy who set the bar -- and then kicked it through the uprights. Born in Norway, Stenerud was one of the pioneers of the NFL's kicking game, joining the NFL in 1966 as a placekicker for the Kansas City Chiefs. He didn’t just kick field goals -- he made history by being the first pure kicker to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Stenerud was a three-time All-Pro, helped lead the Chiefs to a Super Bowl win, and had a career that spanned nearly 20 years. His golden foot was responsible for a ridiculous number of game-winning kicks and long-distance bombs. No one could touch him on accuracy, and he became the standard for all kickers to come after. And let’s be real, having a kicker from Norway? That’s next-level, everyone.

Osi Umenyiora

Alright, so maybe he wasn’t born in Britain, but let’s talk about Osi Umenyiora -- the British-Nigerian pass-rusher who became an NFL legend. Born in London, Umenyiora grew up with dreams of playing football, and somehow, despite being unknown outside of the United States, he became a two-time Super Bowl champion with the New York Giants.

Umenyiora wasn’t just your run-of-the-mill defensive end. Umenyiora had a knack for making quarterbacks nervous, racking up a career 85 sacks and showing that Europe could bring the heat just as well as the States. He was as unpredictable as humidity during the fall, but you better believe, Umenyiora delivered when it mattered.

Sebastian Janikowski

Now, if we’re talking leg power, Sebastian Janikowski needs to be in the conversation. The Polish-German kicker had an absolute cannon for a leg, launching field goals that could’ve had their own zip codes.

Drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the first round (yes, a kicker in the first round), Janikowski became one of the NFL's most powerful weapons. His 436 career field goals were all from distances that made fans’ jaws drop -- he was basically a walking highlight reel. And yes, his off-field shenanigans got some attention, but on the field, this guy was all business.

Sebastian Vollmer

Now let’s talk about one of the most ridiculous human beings to ever walk onto an NFL field: Sebastian Vollmer. The German-born offensive tackle played for the New England Patriots for seven years and was an integral part of one their multiple Super Bowl runs. Standing at a solid 6'8" and weighing in at over 320 pounds, Vollmer was a brick wall that quarterbacks loved, and defenders... not so much.

His size, combined with his quick feet, helped protect the likes of Tom Brady and provided a cornerstone for the Patriots’ offensive line during the most successful period in franchise history. Vollmer was so dominant that opposing defenders started looking for excuses to not get crushed by him.
Leo Nomellini

We can’t forget about Leo Nomellini, the Italian-born beast who became a cornerstone of the San Francisco 49ers’ defense in the 1950s and 60s. Born in Italy, Nomellini made his way to the NFL and was immediately feared. Nomellini was a 10-time Pro Bowler, and let’s just say he didn’t earn that honor by sitting on the bench.

Nomellini was tough as nails, relentlessly stuffing the run, pressuring quarterbacks, and basically making life miserable for anyone trying to cross the line of scrimmage. Even after he retired, Nomellini’s legacy lived on, earning him a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1969. Leo Nomellini was a game-changer before anyone even knew what that phrase meant.
Ernie Stautner

Next up, we’ve got Ernie Stautner, the German-born linebacker who became a stone wall for the Pittsburgh Steelers. Born in Bavaria (yes, the beer and pretzel capital), Stautner was a force on the defensive side of the ball in the 1950s and 60s. Playing his entire 15-year career with the Steelers, Stautner racked up 20 career sacks (back when sacks weren’t even a stat). The German linebacker was a brick wall on defense and was a crucial part of the Steelers’ early success before the dynasty years.

Stautner was so effective that he earned a spot in the Hall of Fame, and still, he's one of the unsung heroes of the Steelers' history. He was also one of the first European players to make a major impact in the NFL, helping pave the way for the influx of international talent in the league today.

Get NFL picks on every single game, or if you want our very best bet premium picks by the experts, sign up for your free $60 account with a guarantee.

Start:	February 11, 2025 @ 7:30 PM
Expert:	Scott Spreitzer
Free $60 Account Sign Up

Dominant European Players in the NFL

Most Recent NFL Handicapping