BroBible
Today we are counting down the 19 shortest NFL players in history.
From Mack Herron and Trindon Holliday standing at a stout 5’5″, short for any sport, to players that sniffed 5’8″, these are the mighty little guys of the NFL. But just because they’re short doesn’t mean they aren’t unbelievably strong!
There is at least one honorable mention on the list, Jack “Soupy” Shapiro, who stood at just 5’1″. He played for the Staten Island Stapletons in 1929 but not officially part of the NFL. That said, he is worth mentioning here as he often is recognized among the shortest NFL players of all-time. Now let’s get to the full list!
At 5’5″, Mack Herron is the shortest player in NFL history. He was a STOUT 170 pounds at 5’5″, a veritable bowling ball of a man if you will.
Herron played in the CFL before three seasons with the New England Patriots (1973-75) and he finished his NFL career with the Atlanta Falcons in ’75. Mack led the NFL in kickoff return yards in 1973.
A 6th round NFL Draft pick in 2010, wide receiver / return specialist Trindon Holliday stood all of 5’5″, tying him for the shortest player in NFL history with Mack Herron. The former LSU Tiger played with the Texans, Broncos, Giants, Bucs, and 49ers and led the NFL in punt return yards in the 2012 season.
Darren Sproles is arguably the most successful ‘short guy’ in NFL history. He was a Super Bowl LII champion with the Philadelphia Eagles, a 3x Pro Bowler, has 3,552 career rushing yards and 23 rushing TDs followed by 4,840 receiving yards and another 32 receiving TDs (9 more return TDs).
Look at this man in action:
Carson Wentz to Darren Sproles for a 73 yard touchdown! #FlyEaglesFly pic.twitter.com/v8zqhVI4x2
— 𝐃𝐈𝐄-𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐃 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋 𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄 (@Eaglesfans9) September 26, 2016
At 5’6″ and 190 pounds he ran like a Buick. Sproles, a member of the Eagles’ front office, has already been inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
Deuce Vaughn, a running back with the Dallas Cowboys, stands 5’6″ and weighs 176 pounds. He was drafted in the 6th round of the 2023 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys and in his first season in Dallas he totaled just 110 rushing yards and 58 receiving. His dad, Chris Vaughn, is a talent scout with the Dallas Cowboys and a former college football player himself.
As a born-and-raised Tampa Bay Buccaneers fan, I loved seeing Jacquizz Rodgers produce for the Bucs when he was with our team for three seasons. A 5th round pick in 2011 out of Oregon State, Rodgers stands 5’6″ and weighs 205 pounds. The dude was THICC.
Another player at 5’6″ is Deonte Harty, a wide receiver / return specialist. He went undrafted in...
