10 Best Arena Football Players of All Time

#10: Kurt Warner (1995 – 1997)

Position: Quarterback
Height/Weight: 6’2″, 214 lbs
Teams: Iowa Barnstormers

Before becoming an NFL legend, Kurt Warner made his mark in Arena Football with the Iowa Barnstormers. Warner’s incredible accuracy, quick decision-making, and leadership on the field quickly made him one of the most feared quarterbacks in the league. 

He led the Barnstormers to back-to-back ArenaBowl appearances in 1996 and 1997, showcasing his ability to perform in high-pressure situations. Warner’s success in the Arena Football League laid the foundation for his eventual rise to NFL stardom, where he would go on to win two NFL MVP awards and a Super Bowl. 

Despite his relatively short tenure in the AFL, Warner’s impact was significant, and he remains one of the most notable players to transition from Arena Football to the NFL.

Accolades/Stats:  AFL All-Arena selection, Arena Football Hall of Fame inductee.

#9: George LaFrance (1988 – 2000)

Position: Wide Receiver / Kick Returner
Height/Weight: 5’10”, 180 lbs
Teams: Detroit Drive, Tampa Bay Storm, New Jersey Red Dogs

George LaFrance is one of the most versatile and dynamic players in Arena Football history. Known for his incredible speed, agility, and playmaking ability, LaFrance was a nightmare for opposing defenses both as a wide receiver and a kick returner. 

Throughout his career, he earned five ArenaBowl championships and was a six-time All-Arena selection. 

LaFrance’s ability to score from anywhere on the field made him one of the most dangerous players in the league, and his contributions were crucial to his teams’ successes. His excellence on the field earned him a spot in the Arena Football Hall of Fame, solidifying his legacy as one of the game’s all-time greats.

Accolades/Stats: 5x ArenaBowl Champion, 2x ArenaBowl MVP, Arena Football Hall of Fame inductee.

#8: Randy Gatewood (1996 – 2007)

Position: Wide Receiver / Defensive Back
Height/Weight: 6’0″, 180 lbs
Teams: Arizona Rattlers

Randy Gatewood was a dual-threat player in Arena Football, excelling both as a wide receiver and as a defensive back. His versatility and athleticism made him a key player for the Arizona Rattlers throughout his career. 

Gatewood was known for his ability to make clutch plays on offense, whether it was making a tough catch in traffic or scoring a crucial touchdown. On defense, he was equally impactful, regularly shutting down opposing receivers and making game-changing interceptions. 

Gatewood’s contributions helped the Rattlers to multiple playoff appearances, and he was a two-time recipient of the AFL Ironman of the Year award, recognizing his excellence on both sides of the ball.

Accolades/Stats: 2x AFL Ironman of the Year, 6x All-Arena selection, Arena Football Hall of Fame inductee.

#7: Sherdrick Bonner (1993 – 2008)

Position: Quarterback
Height/Weight: 6’4″, 240 lbs
Teams: Arizona Rattlers, Chicago Rush

Sherdrick Bonner, often known as “Shed,” was one of the premier quarterbacks in Arena Football, particularly noted for his time with the Arizona Rattlers. 

Bonner’s combination of size, strength, and football IQ made him a formidable force on the field. He led the Rattlers to four ArenaBowl titles, earning a reputation for his clutch performances in the playoffs. 

Bonner’s leadership and consistency were hallmarks of his career, and he finished with over 42,000 passing yards and 855 touchdowns, placing him among the league’s all-time leaders. His contributions to the game were recognized with his induction into the Arena Football Hall of Fame.

Accolades/Stats: 4x ArenaBowl Champion, 2x ArenaBowl MVP, Arena Football Hall of Fame inductee.

#6: Hunkie Cooper (1993 – 2006)

Position: Wide Receiver / Defensive Back / Kick Returner
Height/Weight: 5’10”, 185 lbs
Teams: Arizona Rattlers

Hunkie Cooper was the ultimate Ironman in Arena Football, excelling in multiple roles as a wide receiver, defensive back, and kick returner. His versatility and impact on both offense and defense made him one of the most valuable players in the league. \

Cooper was a key figure for the Arizona Rattlers, helping them to multiple ArenaBowl titles with his ability to change the game in an instant, whether it was with a touchdown catch, a crucial interception, or a big return. 

His contributions earned him two AFL Ironman of the Year awards, and he remains one of the most iconic figures in Arena Football history.

Accolades/Stats: AFL MVP (1993), 2x AFL Ironman of the Year, 2x ArenaBowl Champion, 6 x All-Arena Arena Football Hall of Fame inductee.

#5: Damian Harrell (1999 – 2011)

Position: Wide Receiver
Height/Weight: 6’3″, 200 lbs
Teams: Milwaukee Mustangs, Colorado Crush, Chicago Rush

Damian Harrell is one of the most prolific wide receivers in Arena Football history. Known for his size, athleticism, and sure hands, Harrell dominated opposing defenses throughout his career. 

He is the only player in AFL history to record back-to-back seasons with over 2,000 receiving yards, a testament to his consistency and playmaking ability. Harrell was a two-time AFL MVP, winning the award in 2005 and 2006, and was selected to the All-Arena team six times. 

Over his career, Harrell caught 1,164 passes for 15,134 yards and 357 touchdowns, ranking him among the all-time leaders in each category. 

His impact on the field and his ability to perform in clutch moments made him a key player for every team he played for, particularly during his time with the Colorado Crush, where he led the team to an ArenaBowl victory in 2005.

Accolades/Stats: 2x AFL MVP (2005, 2006), 6x All-Arena selection, ArenaBowl XIX Champion.

#4: Aaron Garcia (1995 – 2014)

Position: Quarterback
Height/Weight: 6’1″, 195 lbs
Teams: Arizona Rattlers, Iowa Barnstormers, New York Dragons, Jacksonville Sharks, San Antonio Talons, Orlando Predators, San Jose SaberCats, Los Angeles KISS

Aaron Garcia is arguably the most prolific passer in Arena Football history, holding the AFL record for career passing touchdowns. 

Known for his quick release, accuracy, and ability to read defenses, Garcia was a nightmare for opposing teams throughout his two-decade-long career. He spent the majority of his career with the New York Dragons, where he solidified his legacy as one of the greatest quarterbacks in the league. 

Garcia threw for over 62,000 yards and an astounding 1,336 touchdowns, both of which are AFL records. Despite many individual accolades, including multiple All-Arena selections, Garcia’s crowning achievement came late in his career when he led the Jacksonville Sharks to an ArenaBowl XXIV championship in 2011, where he was named the game’s MVP.

Accolades/Stats: ArenaBowl XXIV Champion and MVP, 5x All-Arena selection, AFL all-time leader in passing touchdowns (1,336) and passing yards (62,159).

#3: Jay Gruden (1991 – 2003)

Position: Quarterback
Height/Weight: 6’2″, 210 lbs
Teams: Tampa Bay Storm, Orlando Predators

Jay Gruden is one of the most successful quarterbacks and coaches in Arena Football history. During his playing career, Gruden was known for his leadership, poise under pressure, and ability to execute the fast-paced AFL offense with precision. 

Gruden led the Tampa Bay Storm to four ArenaBowl championships as a quarterback, earning two ArenaBowl MVP awards along the way. 

He was also a three-time All-Arena selection and finished his playing career with over 21,000 passing yards and 397 touchdowns. 

After retiring as a player, Gruden transitioned seamlessly into coaching, where he continued to find success, winning two more ArenaBowls as the head coach of the Orlando Predators. His dual legacy as both a player and coach makes Gruden one of the most influential figures in Arena Football history.

Accolades/Stats: 4x ArenaBowl Champion (as a player), 2x ArenaBowl MVP, 3x All-Arena selection, over 21,000 passing yards, 2x ArenaBowl Champion (as a coach).

#2: Barry Wagner (1992 – 2006)

Position: Wide Receiver / Defensive Back
Height/Weight: 6’3″, 215 lbs
Teams: Orlando Predators, San Jose SaberCats

Barry Wagner is widely regarded as the greatest two-way player in Arena Football history. Known for his versatility, Wagner excelled as both a wide receiver and a defensive back, making an impact on every play, whether on offense, defense, or special teams. 

Wagner was a six-time Ironman of the Year, an award given to the league’s best two-way player, and was a key figure in six ArenaBowl championships, three with the Orlando Predators and three with the San Jose SaberCats. 

Wagner’s ability to make game-changing plays on both sides of the ball set him apart from his peers, and he remains the only player in AFL history to score 1,000 points, record 1,000 tackles, and make 100 interceptions. 

His consistent excellence earned him seven All-Arena selections, and he was inducted into the Arena Football Hall of Fame in recognition of his extraordinary career.

Accolades/Stats: 6x ArenaBowl Champion, 6x Ironman of the Year, 7x All-Arena selection. 

#1: Eddie Brown (1994 – 2003)

Position: Wide Receiver
Height/Weight: 5’11”, 190 lbs
Teams: Albany Firebirds

Eddie Brown, often referred to as “Touchdown Eddie Brown,” is considered the greatest player in Arena Football history. Known for his incredible speed, route running, and ability to make spectacular catches, Brown dominated the league during his time with the Albany Firebirds. 

Brown led the AFL in receiving yards and touchdowns multiple times and was named the league’s MVP in 1994. His ability to consistently perform at an elite level earned him nine All-Arena selections, and he led the Firebirds to an ArenaBowl championship in 1999, where he was named MVP of the game. 

Brown finished his career with 950 receptions, 12,730 receiving yards, and 303 touchdowns, ranking him among the all-time leaders in each category. His impact on the game was so profound that he was named the greatest player in AFL history by the league in 2006.

Accolades/Stats: 1994 AFL MVP, 9x All-Arena selection, ArenaBowl XIII Champion and MVP, AFL all-time leader in receiving touchdowns (303).