Football fans love a challenge. NFL trivia tests even the most dedicated followers of the game, pushing their knowledge beyond common stats and famous players.
Many passionate fans struggle to find difficult questions beyond basic facts.
The typical trivia collections online recycle the same well-known information, which can be frustrating for serious fans seeking to test their deep NFL knowledge.
Even longtime viewers often find gaps in their football expertise when confronted with challenging questions.
This collection solves that problem by compiling 151 of the most difficult NFL trivia questions.
Fun Facts About NFL Trivia You Didn’t Know
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The NFL was founded in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association (APFA) before changing its name to the National Football League in 1922.
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The Pittsburgh Steelers and Philadelphia Eagles merged for a season in 1943 due to World War II and were called the “Steagles.”
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The coldest game in NFL history, known as the “Ice Bowl,” was played between the Packers and Cowboys in 1967 at -13°F with a wind chill of -48°F.
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In 1974, the Buffalo Bills experimented with red helmets to help their quarterback differentiate teammates from opponents who wore white helmets.
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A touchdown was originally worth only four points when the NFL started before changing it to six points in 1912.
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Tom Brady has won more Super Bowls (7) than any NFL franchise.
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The shortest player to ever play in the NFL was Jack Shapiro, who stood at just 5 feet 1 inch.
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The longest punt in NFL history was 98 yards by Steve O’Neal of the New York Jets in 1969.
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Jerry Rice has more career receiving yards (22,895) than the second-and third-place receivers combined when he retired.
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The Chicago Bears have retired 14 jersey numbers, the most of any NFL team.
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The first Super Bowl played in 1967 was not called the “Super Bowl” then—it was originally named the AFL-NFL World Championship Game.
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In Super Bowl XXIX, both starting quarterbacks—Steve Young and Stan Humphries—played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers at one point in their careers but never started a game for them.
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The Miami Dolphins are the only team in NFL history to have a perfect season, finishing 17-0 in 1972, including the Super Bowl.
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The NFL once had a rule that allowed players to use “sleeper plays,” where a player could stand near the sideline, pretending to be out of the play, then run downfield for a pass. The rule was later banned.
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The fastest recorded speed by an NFL player in a game was 23.24 mph by Tyreek Hill on a touchdown reception in 2016.
Only True Fans Can Get These NFL Trivia Questions Right
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Which team was the first to win five Super Bowls?
San Francisco 49ers -
Who holds the record for the most career rushing yards in NFL history?
Emmitt Smith -
What year did the NFL and AFL officially merge?
1970 -
Which team drafted Eli Manning before trading him to the Giants?
San Diego Chargers -
Who was the first defensive player to win the NFL MVP award?
Alan Page (1971) -
Which player holds the record for the longest touchdown pass in Super Bowl history?
Jake Delhomme to Muhsin Muhammad (85 yards, Super Bowl XXXVIII) -
Who is the only player to win Super Bowl MVP on a losing team?
Chuck Howley (Dallas Cowboys, Super Bowl V) -
Which NFL team has gone the longest without winning a playoff game?
Detroit Lions (as of 2024) -
Who was the first-ever pick in the inaugural NFL Draft in 1936?
Jay Berwanger -
Which player has the most interceptions in a single season?
Night Train Lane (14, 1952) -
What’s the only team to have a perfect season, including the Super Bowl?
Miami Dolphins (1972) -
Which quarterback has lost the most Super Bowls?
Jim Kelly (Buffalo Bills, four losses) -
Who was the first player to rush for 2,000 yards in a season?
O.J. Simpson (1973) -
Which coach has the most Super Bowl wins?
Bill Belichick (6) -
What is the only team to have never hosted or played in a Super Bowl?
Cleveland Browns -
Which player famously guaranteed a Super Bowl victory—and delivered?
Joe Namath (Super Bowl III) -
What year was the first Super Bowl played?
1967 -
Which wide receiver holds the record for most receiving yards in a single season?
Calvin Johnson (1,964 yards, 2012) -
Who is the only player to win an MVP and Coach of the Year award?
Forrest Gregg -
What is the highest-scoring game in NFL history?
Washington Redskins vs. New York Giants (113 total points, 1966) -
Which team drafted Tom Brady in 2000?
New England Patriots (199th overall pick) -
Who is the only player to return a missed field goal 109 yards for a touchdown?
Antonio Cromartie -
What was the first NFL team to win three consecutive championships?
Green Bay Packers (1929-1931, before Super Bowls existed) -
Which team has the most Hall of Fame inductees?
Chicago Bears -
Who is the oldest player ever in an NFL game?
George Blanda (48 years old) -
Which Super Bowl had the first-ever overtime?
Super Bowl LI (Patriots vs. Falcons, 2017)
The Hardest NFL Trivia Questions Ever – Dare to Try
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Who is the only player in NFL history to score a touchdown in four ways (rushing, receiving, interception return, and punt return) in a single game?
Gale Sayers (1965) -
Which quarterback holds the record for the most career playoff losses?
Tom Brady (12 losses) -
What was the first NFL team to have a logo on their helmets?
Los Angeles Rams (1948) -
Which two NFL teams have played the most overtime playoff games?
Pittsburgh Steelers and Green Bay Packers -
Who was the last non-quarterback to win the NFL MVP award?
Adrian Peterson (2012) -
Which player holds the record for the most fumbles lost in NFL history?
Warren Moon (56) -
What was the original name of the New York Jets?
New York Titans -
Who is the only player in NFL history to win three consecutive Super Bowls?
Ken Norton Jr. (Cowboys in 1992-1993, 49ers in 1994) -
Which NFL team has changed its name the most times?
Tennessee Titans (previously Houston Oilers, Tennessee Oilers) -
Who was the first African American head coach to win a Super Bowl?
Tony Dungy (Super Bowl XLI, Indianapolis Colts) -
What is the only NFL team to neither host nor play in a Super Bowl?
Cleveland Browns -
Which kicker holds the record for the longest game-winning field goal in Super Bowl history?
Adam Vinatieri (48 yards, Super Bowl XXXVI) -
What was the first wild-card team to win a Super Bowl?
Oakland Raiders (Super Bowl XV) -
Who holds the record for the most career tackles in the NFL?
Ray Lewis (2,059) -
Which team was penalized for having 12 men in the huddle before a crucial play in an NFC Championship Game?
Minnesota Vikings (2009 vs. Saints) -
Who was the first quarterback to throw for 500 yards in a Super Bowl?
Tom Brady (Super Bowl LII) -
Which player holds the record for the most career sacks?
Bruce Smith (200) -
What was the shortest overtime period in NFL history?
13 seconds (Denver Broncos vs. Pittsburgh Steelers, 2012 playoffs, Tebow TD pass) -
Who was the first NFL player to have his jersey number retired?
Sammy Baugh (#33, Washington) -
Which Super Bowl had the lowest combined score in history?
Super Bowl LIII (Patriots 13, Rams 3) -
Who is the only head coach to win a Super Bowl and a college football national championship?
Jimmy Johnson -
Which team won an NFL game with the fewest offensive yards?
Seattle Seahawks (minus-7 yards, 2021) -
What is the only team to win a Super Bowl in their home stadium?
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (Super Bowl LV) -
Which team won a game with zero completed passes?
Buffalo Bills (vs. New York Jets, 1973) -
Who is the only player to win the Heisman Trophy, a national championship, and a Super Bowl MVP?
Marcus Allen -
Which Super Bowl was the first to feature two teams with identical records?
Super Bowl XLVIII (Seattle Seahawks vs. Denver Broncos, both 13-3) -
Who is the only starting quarterback to win a Super Bowl with two different teams?
Peyton Manning (Colts in Super Bowl XLI, Broncos in Super Bowl 50) -
Which Super Bowl had the first-ever overtime?
Super Bowl LI (Patriots vs. Falcons, 2017) -
Who is the youngest quarterback ever to win a Super Bowl?
Ben Roethlisberger (23 years old, Super Bowl XL) -
Which team scored the fewest points in a Super Bowl?
Miami Dolphins (Super Bowl VI, scored only 3 points) -
Who holds the record for most Super Bowl touchdown passes in a single game?
Steve Young (6 TD passes, Super Bowl XXIX) -
Which Super Bowl featured the biggest comeback in history?
Super Bowl LI (Patriots erased a 28-3 deficit against the Falcons) -
Who was the first wild-card team to win a Super Bowl?
Oakland Raiders (Super Bowl XV) -
Which kicker has made the most field goals in Super Bowl history?
Adam Vinatieri (7 field goals across five Super Bowls) -
Which Super Bowl had the coldest outdoor temperature at kickoff?
Super Bowl VI (Tulane Stadium, 39°F) -
Who was the first defensive player to win Super Bowl MVP?
Chuck Howley (Super Bowl V, Dallas Cowboys) -
What is the fastest touchdown scored in Super Bowl history?
Devin Hester’s kickoff return (14 seconds, Super Bowl XLI) -
Which city has hosted the most Super Bowls?
Miami (11 times) -
Who is the only Super Bowl MVP from a losing team?
Chuck Howley (Super Bowl V, Cowboys) -
Which Super Bowl featured the first-ever two-point conversion?
Super Bowl XXIX (Chargers vs. 49ers) -
What is the highest-scoring Super Bowl of all time?
Super Bowl XXIX (49ers 49, Chargers 26 – 75 total points) -
Which Super Bowl team had the lowest total offensive yards in a win?
Pittsburgh Steelers (Super Bowl IX, 119 yards) -
Who was the first African American quarterback to start and win a Super Bowl?
Doug Williams (Super Bowl XXII, Washington) -
Which team won the Super Bowl despite committing the most turnovers?
Baltimore Colts (Super Bowl V, seven turnovers) -
Who was the first player to say “I’m going to Disney World” after a Super Bowl win?
Phil Simms (Super Bowl XXI) -
Which Super Bowl was the first to be played in February?
Super Bowl XXXVI (2002, originally scheduled for January but postponed due to 9/11) -
Which two teams played in the only Super Bowl without a single touchdown?
New England Patriots vs. Los Angeles Rams (Super Bowl LIII, 13-3) -
What was the first Super Bowl played in a stadium with a retractable roof?
Super Bowl XLII (University of Phoenix Stadium, 2008) -
Which franchise has lost the most Super Bowls?
Denver Broncos and New England Patriots (5 losses each) -
Who is the only team to win a Super Bowl on a last-second field goal as time expired?
New England Patriots (Super Bowl XXXVI, Adam Vinatieri)
NFL Records Trivia – Who Holds the Crown?
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Who holds the record for the most career passing yards in NFL history?
Tom Brady (89,214 yards) -
Which running back has the most career rushing yards in NFL history?
Emmitt Smith (18,355 yards) -
Who holds the record for the most career receiving yards?
Jerry Rice (22,895 yards) -
Which player has scored the most career touchdowns in NFL history?
Jerry Rice (208 total TDs) -
Who holds the record for the most sacks in a season?
T.J. Watt & Michael Strahan (22.5 sacks) -
Which quarterback has thrown the most career touchdown passes?
Tom Brady (649 TD passes) -
Who holds the record for the most interceptions thrown in a career?
Brett Favre (336 interceptions) -
Which team has the most Super Bowl wins?
Pittsburgh Steelers & New England Patriots (6 each) -
Who is the only player to return a missed field goal 109 yards for a touchdown?
Antonio Cromartie (2007) -
Which team holds the record for the longest winning streak in NFL history?
Indianapolis Colts (23 straight games, 2008-2009) -
Who has the most career tackles in NFL history?
Ray Lewis (2,059 tackles) -
Which player holds the record for most consecutive starts by a quarterback?
Brett Favre (297 consecutive starts) -
Who has the most interceptions in a single season?
Night Train Lane (14 interceptions, 1952) -
Which team has the most regular-season wins in NFL history?
Green Bay Packers (all-time leader) -
Who has the most career points scored in NFL history?
Morten Andersen (2,544 points) -
What is the highest-scoring game in NFL history?
Washington Redskins vs. New York Giants (113 total points, 1966) -
Which quarterback has the most passing yards in a single season?
Peyton Manning (5,477 yards, 2013) -
Who holds the record for the longest field goal in NFL history?
Justin Tucker (66 yards, 2021) -
Which running back has the most rushing yards in a single season?
Eric Dickerson (2,105 yards, 1984) -
Who holds the record for the most career fumbles?
Brett Favre (166 fumbles) -
What does a single team score the most points in an NFL game?
Washington Redskins (72 points vs. Giants, 1966) -
Who has the most career Super Bowl appearances as a player?
Tom Brady (10 appearances) -
Who holds the record for most career pick-sixes thrown?
Brett Favre (35 pick-sixes) -
Which team holds the record for most consecutive losses in a season?
Detroit Lions & Cleveland Browns (0-16 seasons in 2008 and 2017) -
Who has the most career safeties in NFL history?
Ted Hendricks (4 safeties) -
Which team has the most playoff appearances in NFL history?
Green Bay Packers
Bizarre NFL Facts – True or False Trivia Questions
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True or False: An NFL game ended in a tie because the referee lost his whistle.
False – No game has ever ended in a tie due to a lost whistle, though bizarre officiating errors have happened. -
True or False: A player once played an NFL game with a detached finger.
True – Ronnie Lott had part of his finger amputated so he could keep playing. -
True or False: The Chicago Bears once had a real bear as a mascot on the sidelines.
True – They briefly had a live bear cub named “Joey” in the 1940s. -
True or False: The shortest player to ever play in the NFL was under 5 feet tall.
False – The shortest player was Jack Shapiro, who stood at 5’1”. -
True or False: An NFL player once legally changed his name to match his jersey number.
True – Chad Johnson changed his name to Chad Ochocinco to match his jersey number 85. -
True or False: A quarterback once threw a pass to himself in a Super Bowl.
True – Brad Johnson did it in Super Bowl XXXVII when his pass was deflected back to him. -
True or False: There was a game where neither team attempted any punts.
True – The Bills vs. 49ers game in 1992 had no punts from either team. -
True or False: An NFL coach punched a horse after a game.
False – This never happened, but a Philadelphia Eagles fan once did, and it made national news. -
True or False: The Green Bay Packers are the only publicly owned NFL team.
True – They are the only franchise owned by shareholders instead of a single owner or ownership group. -
True or False: The New York Jets once drafted a player who had already died.
True – In 1963, they mistakenly drafted John Wayne (not the actor), who had passed away. -
True or False: An NFL team once lost a game because a fan blew a whistle in the stands.
True – The Buffalo Bills lost a game in 2014 after a fan’s whistle confused players and officials. -
True or False: An NFL game was called off because of too much snow.
False – No game has ever been canceled for snow, though some have been postponed. -
True or False: The first touchdown in Super Bowl history was scored by a lineman.
True – Green Bay’s backup wide receiver Max McGee scored the first-ever Super Bowl TD. -
True or False: An NFL team once accidentally left their quarterback at the airport.
True – The Denver Broncos left John Elway behind at an airport after a game. -
True or False: A player once played in a Super Bowl with a broken leg.
True – Jack Youngblood played Super Bowl XIV with a fractured fibula. -
True or False: The longest game in NFL history lasted over 7 hours.
False – The longest game (Dolphins vs. Chiefs, 1971 playoffs) lasted 82 minutes and 40 seconds. -
True or False: The NFL once banned end zone celebrations.
True – The “No Fun League” banned excessive celebrations in 2006 but later loosened the rules. -
True or False: A referee once used a wireless microphone to propose to his girlfriend on the field.
False – No referee has done this, though players have proposed after games. -
True or False: A kicker once won MVP of the Super Bowl.
False – No kicker has ever won Super Bowl MVP, though Adam Vinatieri had game-winning kicks. -
True or False: A game was once delayed by a fan parachuting into the stadium.
True – A game between the Raiders and Broncos 1996 was delayed when a parachutist landed on the field. -
True or False: An NFL player once retired at halftime.
True – Buffalo Bills CB Vontae Davis retired at halftime in 2018, shocking his team. -
True or False: The NFL once experimented with glowing footballs for night games.
False – This has never happened, though the XFL experimented with unique football designs. -
True or False: A Super Bowl team once had their entire playbook stolen before the game.
True – The Raiders’ game plan was reportedly leaked to their opponent in Super Bowl XXXVII. -
True or False: The Lombardi Trophy was once dropped and dented by a player.
True – Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski dented it while using it as a baseball bat in 2019.
The Ultimate NFL Trivia Showdown – Can You Win?
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Which player has won the most NFL MVP awards?
Peyton Manning (5 MVPs) -
What team was originally named the Decatur Staleys?
Chicago Bears -
Which NFL franchise has changed cities the most times?
The Rams (Cleveland → Los Angeles → St. Louis → Los Angeles) -
Who was the first player to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season?
O.J. Simpson (1973) -
Which quarterback was drafted first overall but never played a single NFL game?
JaMarcus Russell played, but Jay Berwanger (1936) never signed a contract -
What’s the only undefeated team in the regular season and the playoffs?
Miami Dolphins (1972) -
Who holds the record for the longest interception return in NFL history?
Ed Reed (107 yards, 2008) -
Which head coach has the most wins in NFL history?
Don Shula (347 wins, including playoffs) -
Who was the first African American head coach to win a Super Bowl?
Tony Dungy (Super Bowl XLI) -
What is the only team to win three NFL championships in a row?
Green Bay Packers (1929, 1930, 1931 – pre-Super Bowl era) -
Who was the first openly gay active player in the NFL?
Carl Nassib (2021, Las Vegas Raiders) -
Which player has the most career punt return touchdowns?
Devin Hester (14 career punt return TDs) -
Which NFL team has never played in a conference championship game?
Houston Texans -
Who was the last non-kicker to play in the NFL past age 45?
George Blanda (played QB/K until age 48) -
What team was the first to wear a helmet logo?
Los Angeles Rams (1948) -
Who is the tallest player in NFL history?
Richard Sligh (7 feet tall, 1967) -
Which stadium has hosted the most Super Bowls?
The Superdome in New Orleans (7 times) -
Who is the only player to return two kickoffs for touchdowns in a Super Bowl?
No player has done it—only one kickoff return TD has been scored per game. -
Which player holds the record for the most fumble recoveries?
Jim Marshall (30 recoveries) -
Who was the first woman to coach in an NFL game?
Jen Welter (Arizona Cardinals, 2015, preseason) -
What was the first NFL team to install artificial turf in their stadium?
Houston Oilers (Astrodome, 1966) -
Which team played in four Super Bowls in a row but lost them all?
Buffalo Bills (Super Bowls XXV, XXVI, XXVII, XXVIII) -
Who was the youngest player to ever be drafted into the NFL?
Amobi Okoye (drafted at age 19 by the Texans in 2007) -
What is the only team to have won an NFL championship in every decade since the 1920s?
Green Bay Packers -
What was the only Super Bowl to be played on February 29th?
Super Bowl XXXVIII (2004, Patriots vs. Panthers)
Why Is NFL Trivia Popular Among Fans?
NFL trivia is popular among fans because it taps into their deep passion for the game, history, and iconic moments that make football more than just a sport.
Fans love testing their knowledge against friends, competing in trivia challenges, and uncovering obscure facts highlighting the league’s rich history, legendary players, and record-breaking performances.
It also creates a sense of community, bringing fans together to debate stats, reminisce about unforgettable plays, and celebrate their favorite teams and players.
NFL trivia isn’t just about answering questions—it’s about reliving historic moments, recognizing the strategic evolution of the game, and feeling more connected to the sport.
The league’s ever-growing history ensures there are always new facts, records, and surprises, keeping trivia fresh and engaging for fans of all ages.
The Bottom Line
You’ve survived our gauntlet of 151 bone-crushing NFL trivia questions! How many did you get right?
Even hardcore fans typically miss at least 40% of these brain-benders.
So what? This collection proves true NFL knowledge runs deeper than stats and star players. It celebrates the fascinating details that make football history so rich.
Would you be ready for your next challenge? Test friends during your Super Bowl party, stump coworkers on Monday mornings, or enjoy your elite NFL knowledge status.
Want more trivia firepower? Check out our other popular sport Q&A’s on Tennis trivia and Hockey trivia collection to expand your expertise.
Which question stumped you the most? Share in the comments!
