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Football

NFL Hall of Famers who finished their careers on unlikely teams

Samuel Rooke
NFL Hall of Famers who finished their careers on unlikely teamsGetty
Ah yes, Seattle Seahawk Jerry Rice.

Even the greatest NFL players can't always finish their career on the team that helped them make their name. Some, like Tom Brady or Peyton Manning, have a notable second act with a new team.

But this isn't about players like that. 

This is a list of NFL Hall of Famers who ended their careers on teams that nobody associates them with. 

Jerry Rice - Seattle Seahawks 

The inarguably greatest wide receiver and arguably greatest NFL player in history just didn't want to stop playing. After 15 years with San Francisco, Rice played three more seasons with Oakland before making a switch to Seattle in 2004 where he started the final game of his career at the age of 42.  

Emmitt Smith - Arizona Cardinals

Emmitt's record as the all-time leading rusher seems like it will probably never get broken. One of the triplets - Michael Irvin, Smith, and Troy Aikman - who helped make the 1990s Cowboys dynasty possible, Smith played 13 seasons in Dallas. After leaving the Cowboys as a 34-year-old, Smith continued to rack up the yards in Arizona. He retired in 2005 as the all-time leading rusher. 

Joe Montana - Kansas City Chiefs

Synonymous with the San Francisco 49ers, Joe Montana left the Bay after four Super Bowl wins and signed for Kansas City. He led the Chiefs to the playoffs in both of his final two seasons.

Deoin Sanders - Baltimore Ravens

Deion Sanders - Primarily recognized for his stints with the Atlanta Falcons, San Francisco 49ers, and Dallas Cowboys, Sanders ended his career with the Baltimore Ravens and Washington Redskins.

Ed Reed - New York Jets

After a Hall of Fame career with the Baltimore Ravens, Ed Reed eschewed the chance to ride off into the sunset with teammate Ray Lewis after their 2012 Super Bowl win and instead moved to the Houston Texans where he swiftly lost his place to a relative unknown. He switched to the Jets where he made a final few appearances. 

Reggie White - Carolina Panthers

A Hall of Famer with Philadelphia and a Super Bowl champion with Green Bay, Reggie White came out of retirement in 2000 for one last run with the Carolina Panthers, but missed the playoffs and re-retired. 

Wes Welker - St Louis Rams

A five-time Pro Bowl wide receiver with the distinction of catching Super Bowl passes from both Tom Brady and Peyton Manning, Wes Welker actually played his final season for the St Louis Rams. Despite being unable to start a game, Welker made eight appearances for St Louis, totalling 13 receptions and 102 yards. 

Danny Amendola - Houston Texans

A two-time Super Bowl champion with New England, Danny Amendola left the Patriots in 2017 and stopped off at the Miami Dolphins, Detroit Lions and Houston Texans. He caught three receiving touchdowns in his only season in Houston before retiring in 2022. 

Devin Hester - Seattle Seahawks 

Synonymous with the Chicago Bears for his All Pro kick return skills, Devin Hester also spent two seasons with the Atlanta Falcons before switching to the Baltimore Ravens in 2016. The Ravens released him late in the regular season and he was signed by the Seattle Seahawks for their playoff campaign. He made six kick returns, averaging a career high 35.7 yards as the Seahawks made it to the Divisional round.