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With 2026’s Super Bowl LX kicking this weekend, it’s as good a time as ever to take a look back at some of the NFL signature sneakers that have come along thanks to everyone’s favorite Sunday pastime.
Although signature sneakers are usually more closely associated with basketball, that has not stopped brands like Nike, Adidas, Reebok, and more from creating silhouettes for some of the NFL’s most elite players over the years. While some of these models were created specifically for the athletes that wore them on the field, other models became unofficial signatures despite having no official ties to them.
Whether it is lines that spanned years like Deion Sanders’ Diamond Turf series, or one-offs like Jerome Bettis’ Air Bus Max, or more recently with Patrick Mahomes’ Adidas series, pro football has had its fair share of memorable trainers. Before you watch the big game and check out Bad Bunny’s halftime performance, here is a history of some of the most notable NFL signature sneakers.
The 25 Best NFL Quarterbacks of All Time, Ranked
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Player: Walter Payton
Year: 1985
One of football’s greatest running backs was also one of the first players to endorse his own sneakers. Back in the 1980s, Sweetness released a line of training sneakers with Kangaroos. The fairly simple black and white design came in high-top and low-top silhouettes. Like all Roos models, these also featured velcro stash pockets.
Player: Bo Jackson
Year: 1988
Although Bo Jackson was also known to wear the Air Trainer 1, that shoe was more closely tied to tennis legend John McEnroe. The first shoe to truly connect to the multi-sport icon was the Air Trainer SC in its debut “Medicine Ball” colorway. The updated training model featured plastic eyelets, a forefoot strap, and a visible Air unit in the heel.
Player: Bo Jackson
Year: 1989
The second sneaker in the SC Trainer series added features like a removable midfoot strap and neoprene bootie. Although not technically a signature model, Bo Jackson was prominently featured in the SC 2’s ad campaign.
Player: Bo Jackson
Year: 1990
Arguably the most recognizable shoe from Bo Jackson’s Nike days is the “Auburn” colorway of the Air Trainer SC 3. The final addition to this SC line, the shoe utilized straps along the mid panels for increased lockdown, and an Air unit in the heel. This shoe was featured in the popular “Bo Knows” marketing campaign.
Player: Bo Jackson
Year: 1991
The final shoe endorsed by Bo Jackson was the Air Trainer Max ’91. The standout feature of this trainer is the Nike-branded nylon cross straps along the leather and mesh upper.
Player: Deion Sanders
Year: 1993
Following in the footsteps of Bo Jackson, Deion Sanders enjoyed fame as both a professional football and baseball player. His debut signature shoe with Nike was designed to accommodate him both on the gridiron and the baseball diamond. It’s enjoyed returns both as a retro and even as part of LeBron James’ signature line with the “Prime 93” Nike LeBron 21.
Player: Deion Sanders
Year: 1995
Primetime’s second signature shoe made some tweaks to the original Diamond Turf. It increased the amount of gold mesh panels, changed the style of the strap, and added a sock bootie to the lining for an improved fit. An all-red colorway is rumored to return in spring 2026.
Player: Deion Sanders
Year: 1996
The third shoe in Deion Sanders’ Nike signature line saw a more drastic design shift than what was seen from the Diamond Turf to the Diamond Turf 2. The upper features a jagged striped pattern that alternates nubuck and leather paneling. It also added a visible Air Max unit in the heel with a picture of Sanders’ face that could be seen through the sole. It’s enjoyed a strong retro run recently, and was even worn by Kendrick Lamar for his 2025 Super Bowl Halftime performance.
Player: Deion Sanders
Year: 1997
Deion’s fourth Nike signature goes back to the more familiar construction of the original. Donning a navy and white Cowboys colorway, this model utilized a predominantly white leather upper with navy blue nubuck paneling. It also brought back the Air Max heel unit debuted on the DT Max a year prior.
Player: Deion Sanders
Year: 1998
The final signature in Deion Sanders’ Nike line was the Diamond Turf 5. Taking on another Cowboys colorway, this pair stood out more than its predecessor thanks to a metallic silver panels, and a jewel Swoosh.
Player: Rod Woodson
Year: 1994
Rod Woodson was one of the greatest defensive backs to ever play the game. He was so talented, in fact, that despite not being a signature athlete for Nike he was still tied directly to the Air Bowl Trainer for rocking it during his time with an iconic defensive team, the 1994 Pittsburgh Steelers.
Player: Junior Seau
Year: 1994
Despite not being an official signature model, the Nike Air Mission was closely tied to late San Diego Chargers linebacker Junior Seau. He wore he model in the 1994-95 season as he helped lead the Chargers to the Super Bowl. True to the formula of Nike’s ’90s football trainers, this model’s standout feature was a strap across the midfoot.
Player: Bruce Smith
Year: 1994
In his prime, Bruce Smith was one of the most dominant defenders to ever play the game. When he was getting to the quarterback in 1994, Smith was rocking the Air Veer. The simplistic design is highlighted by a large strap that extends from the sole across the laces, and features Swoosh branding. The Veer also utilizes a visible Air unit in the heel.
Player: Dan Marino
Year: 1995
Although this shoe was not an official signature of the Miami Dolphins quarterback Dan Marino, the Air Speed Turf Max will forever be connected with the Hall of Famer. This pair came in various colorways, but Marino’s Dolphins colorway is certainly its most memorable.
Player: Marshall Faulk
Year: 1995
Popularized by then-Colts running back Marshall Faulk, this bulky ’90s trainer featured a heavy amount of Nike branding in the form of eight Swooshes and “AIR” written out along the midsole in a font size only rivaled by the Air More Uptempo.
Player: Barry Sanders
Year: 1996
Similar to a lot of Nike’s trainers in the ’90s, the Zoom Turf was not an official signature shoe, but became most well known for being worn in games by Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders. Staying with the trend, this mid-cut model featured a midfoot strap, while also utilizing a rubber turf outsole tooling.
Player: Reggie White
Year: 1996
Defensive linemen aren’t typically associated with memorable footwear, but Reggie White wasn’t most defensive linemen. White terrorized opposing offenses during his memorable NFL career, and while it wasn’t his official signature model, he could be found wearing the Air Pro Streak Max in 1996 and ’97.
Player: Brett Favre/Barry Sanders
Year: 1997
Popularized by Brett Favre and Barry Sanders, this sneaker was the followup to the original Zoom Turf model. It featured a rubber turf outsole, midfoot strap, unique molded-leather pattern on the upper, and metallic Zoom Air pod on the lateral side.
Player: Keyshawn Johnson
Year: 1996
Keyshawn Johnson was the first overall pick by the New York Jets in the 1996 NFL Draft, and thus was a perfect candidate for Adidas to give an NFL signature sneaker to. This OG colorway of the wide receiver’s training shoe was dressed in green, black, and white, featured Feet You Wear technology, and was branded with a literal key logo to represent his name.
Player: Jerry Rice
Year: 1997
Although he is widely considered the best wide receiver of all time, Jerry Rice never got his name on a signature model. However, he was known to rock Nike’s Ubiquitous Max trainer in the late ’90s. This shoe’s namesake comes from the full-length Air Max unit, and featured a construction similar to Nike’s Air Total Max Uptempo basketball model.
Player: Emmitt Smith
Year: 1997
In the late 1990s, the Dallas Cowboys were one of the best teams in the NFL, and their running back Emmitt Smith was one of the top players in the league. Reebok laced up Smith with his own signature model, the ES22. The original metallic blue, black, and white colorway was worn by Smith on-field, and featured Reebok’s Hexalite technology in the midsole.
Player: Jerome Bettis
Year: 1998
The signature of the Pittsburgh Steelers power back, the Total Air Bus Max’s bulky construction was made to withstand the most rugged demands. It debuted in white and blue, as well as a black and yellow Steelers colorway. This model also featured a full-length Tuned Air unit in the midsole.
Player: Kordell Stewart
Year: 1998
Often associated with former Steelers quarterback Kordell Stewart, the Air Max Field General debuted during the 1998 season. Features included molded flak jacket pieces on the side panels similar to what was later seen on the Zoom Vick 3, and also a visible Air Max unit in the heel.
Player: Randy Moss
Year: 2000
Before receiving an official signature from Jordan Brand, Moss was dominating secondaries in the late 1990s and early 2000s in his unofficial signature model from JB. The Jordan Super Freak featured leather and nubuck uppers, and a zipper going down the middle of the shoe to conceal the lacing system.
Player: Randy Moss
Year: 2001
We’ve grown used to seeing various Air Jordan retro player exclusives on the field on Sundays, but not many football players can say they had their own Jordan signature shoe. Minnesota Vikings wide receiver Randy Moss was one of the players who received this honor. The Moss’afied was constructed of white leather across the upper, and also had black nubuck paneling, along with a large “M” logo on the heel.
Player: Donovan McNabb
Year: 2002
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb had an unofficial signature model from JB in the form of the Jordan Trifecta. The Trifecta featured a mix of leather, nubuck, and suede on the upper, as well as a Jumpman logo on the heel, and zipper along the middle of the shoe, similar to the Super Freak.
Player: Mike Vick
Year: 2003
Michael Vick made his NFL debut in 2001 and immediately became one of the most electrifying players in the league. He was popular enough that Nike gave him his own signature line, which debuted in 2003. The Zoom Vick 1 was dressed in an Atlanta Falcons colorways, and featured details like “Be Unexpected” written on the inside of the ankle strap, a Swoosh logo by the toe, and Vick’s own logo on the tongue.
Player: Mike Vick
Year: 2004
Vick’s second NFL signature sneaker with Nike utilized a bulky and decoupled collar design showcasing its namesake logo. It also featured visible Zoom Air in the heel and a gigantic molded Swoosh on the lateral side.
Player: Mike Vick
Year: 2005
The Zoom Vick 3 featured a much sleeker design than the previous year’s model. The black molded leather upper was accented by a textured white leather toe box, and white leather strap that crossed from the toe to the ankle.
Player: Mike Vick
Year: 2006
The final sneaker in the Vick signature line with Nike also came in his final year with the Atlanta Falcons. This model is often a forgotten one, thanks in part to the Falcons’ lackluster season that year.
Player: LaDainian Tomlinson
Year: 2008
This trainer from the late 2000s was the signature model of the era’s biggest running back, LaDainian Tomlinson of the San Diego Chargers. It featured a mixture of leather, nubuck, and synthetic material on the upper, as well as a visible Air Max unit in the heel. A lightning bolt logo was prominently displayed on the heel, utilizing his initials in a homage to his team.
Player: LaDainian Tomlinson
Year: 2006
This training shoe released by Nike for LT was exclusive to the kids. Its upper was constructed of leather and mesh with patent leather detailing. Other accents on the shoe included Tomlinson’s initials embroidered on the tongue, his number 21 on the heel, a replica of his autograph on the side of the shoe, and a tag on the inside on the tongue reading “Play with Passion.” A followup model was released the following year in the same color scheme with slight tweaks to the upper.
Player: Reggie Bush
Year: 2011
This trainer for New Orleans Saints running back Reggie Bush released following the team’s Super Bowl victory in 2011. The low top model featured ForMotion technology to improve stability, a Three Stripes midfoot strap, 619 print around the ankle, and an AdiPrene midsole. This model released alongside Bush’s cleat model, the RB619 Fly.
Player: Darrelle Revis
Year: 2012
Back in 2012, Darrell Revis was the NFL’s premier cornerback, daring opposing quarterbacks to throw over to “Revis Island.” His incredible talents led him to receive Nike’s first signature football model since the discontinuing of Mike Vick’s line nearly six years prior. The Zoom Revis debuted in a green and white New York Jets colorway and featured Flywire on the upper, a midfoot strap for lockdown, full-length bottom-loaded Zoom Air, and Swoosh branding that wrapped around the heel. A follow-up model was sampled, but never made it to retail.
Player: Calvin Johnson
Year: 2013
Following the discontinuation of Darrelle Revis’ signature line after just one model, Nike gave a sig to premier Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson. The CJ81 Trainer’s main features included a diagonal midfoot strap, Johnson’s logo on the heel, signature on the tongue, and an Air Max 180 unit in the heel.
Player: Calvin Johnson
Year: 2014
Calvin Johnson was granted a second signature model the following year with the CJ Trainer 2. This pair introduced Caged Zoom technology in the heel, Flywire underlays, and a revised strap. Instead of debuting the model in a more traditional colorway, Nike chose to unveil the model with a brightly colored orange and green motif inspired by spicy tuna sushi, of all things.
Player: Calvin Johnson
Year: 2015
The third model in Calvin Johnson’s signature line would end up being his last due to his surprising retirement following the completion of the 2015-2016 NFL season. The CJ3 Trainer opted for a low top silhouette, and introduced Flyweave technology to the upper, as well as full length Zoom Air pods in the midsole.
Player: Robert Griffin III
Year: 2014
Although serious injuries brought his promising career to a screeching halt in less than five years, Robert Griffin III’s stock was high when he was drafted by the Washington Redskins in 2012. The Heisman trophy winner was granted his own signature line by Adidas. The mid-cut silhouette featured a velcro strap across the midfoot, and was one of the first shoes using Adidas’ Boost cushioning.
Player: Russell Wilson, Drew Brees, Aaron Rodgers, Colin Kaepernick, and Andrew Luck
Year: 2014
Nike introduced the Zoom Field General in 2014 as a position-specific model catering to the brand’s top Quarterbacks. It released signature colorways for five players, including the Colin Kaepernick edition featured above.
Player: Victor Cruz
Year: 2015
Much like Darelle Revis, New York Giants wideout Victor Cruz only had one signature model release with Nike. The Air Cruz was designed with casual wear in mind, and brought comparisons to the Air Yeezy 2. The model debuted in a “Haystack” colorway inspired by Timberland boots that featured an all-over wheat nubuck upper. The shoe utilized an Air Trainer 3 tooling, and also featured a velcro midfoot strap, velcro heel strap, and unique diamond texture wrapped around the heel.
Player: J.J. Watt
Year: 2016
J.J. Watt was arguably the best defensive player on the field when his NFL signature sneaker dropped in 2016. The low top silhouette features a mesh upper with synthetic overlays, Reebok logo on the lateral side, and Watt’s logo on the tongue.
Player: Cam Newton
Year: 2017
Cam Newton’s first trainer with Under Armour debuted in an all-red colorway that paid tribute to Newton’s upbringing in Atlanta, and featured hits of metallic gold throughout the upper. It also utilized a Threadborne upper for added breathability, forefoot strap for lockdown, as well as a raised heel piece for additional support.
Player: Russell Wilson
Year: 2018
Nike made a signature shoe for Russell Wilson in 2018 coming off several stellar seasons leading the Seattle Seahawks as their star quarterback. The sneaker, named Dangeruss Wilson 1, debuted in an all-black colorway and was a silhouette designed to be versatile enough to wear in the weight room or on a night out. The key features included a mesh high-cut upper with leather mudguards and a Max Air bag at the heel of the midsole.
Player: Odell Beckham Jr.
Year: 2019
Nike’s Air Max 720 debuted in 2019 and featured Air Max unit so big—the brand’s tallest ever—that it flirted with self parody. The new model wasn’t the biggest hit, but spawned a variant for Odell Beckham Jr. that actually worked better than the original, with a more traditional upper that better balanced the silhouette. OBJ was no stranger to PEs and special makeups, but this was the closest he got to a proper NFL signature sneaker. His cleats, on the other hand, were the stuff of legend.
Player: Patrick Mahomes
Year: 2021
By the time Adidas decided to release Patrick Mahomes first signature shoe in August 2021, he had already solidified himself as one of the best players in the NFL. The Mahomes 1.0 Impact FLX sneaker itself is a training shoe and prominently featured Mahomes’ gladiator-inspired signature logo on the tongue.
Player: Patrick Mahomes
Year: 2024
The Adidas Mahomes 2 was unveiled just days before Mahomes took home MVP honors for the Chiefs Super Bowl LVIII victory over the San Francisco 49ers in 2024. As for the sneaker, it was an evolution of his first model, enhanced with a new mesh upper, repetitor foam midsole, and new traction on the outsole.
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