Who is the Lightest Player in the NFL?

Among the four major sports in North America, the NFL is well known for its massive players who clash at the line of scrimmage - including the likes of Michael Jasper who clocks in at 374 lbs.

In 2011, the average NFL player weighed 247 lbs making it a league of very powerful, very heavy and very strong men. It definitely doesn't seem like a league for the light. In fact, since 1990 there have only been 21 players that have weighed in at under 165 lbs.

We take a look at the list of lightest players in the NFL:

Who was the lightest player to play in the NFL?

The lightest player to play was Gerald McNeil, a Pro Bowl wide receiver who last played in 1990 for the Houston Oilers.

At 5' 7", he weighed in at a mere 142 lbs. Nicknamed  "The Ice Cube," for his ability to escape the grasps of opponents, McNeil was well known for his punt and kick return abilities and even made the Pro Bowl in 1987.

To put that into perspective, McNeil weighs 232 lbs less than Michael Jasper, which is what QB Vince Young weighs.

Who was the lightest player currently playing in the NFL?

Currently, the award for the lightest player in the NFL goes to Washington Redskins WR Brandon Banks who weighs just 155 lbs. 

The Under 165 Pound Club
 

Here is a deeper look at some of the lightest players to play the game:

• 17 of the 22 players are wide receivers.
• Only one player is 6' feet or taller, with Stacey Bailey being 6' 0"
• The average draft position, of those drafted, is 175th. 
• Only 3 players have played into the 2000s, with only Brandon Banks being an active player in the NFL.

If you're interested in finding out who the heaviest players in the NFL are read - Top 5 Heaviest Players in the NFL.