J.J. Watt's name sold more NFL merchandise than any other defensive player in the league. Upon hearing the news, Watt tweeted:
I am extremely grateful anytime someone makes the decision to spend their hard-earned money on my jersey. I can't thank you enough for that. — JJ Watt (@JJWatt) April 29, 2014
Two other teammates joined Watt on the latest NFL Players Inc. (NFLPI) Top 50 Player Sales list, measuring total overall sales by more than 70 licensees from online and traditional outlets. Watt, who ranks 11th, is joined by teammates Arian Foster (#19), and Andre Johnson (#38).
The top 10 consists of nine quarterbacks, including six Super Bowl champions: Russell Wilson, Peyton Manning, Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Eli Manning, and Drew Brees.
The NFLPI Top 50 Player Sales list, released quarterly, is based on total overall sales from March 1, 2013 through February 28, 2014. The NFLPI is a the marketing and licensing arm of the NFL Players Association.
Here's the complete NFLPI Top 50 Player Sales Rankings:
- Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
- Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos
- Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers
- Robert Griffin III, Washington Redskins
- Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
- Tom Brady, New England Patriots
- Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks
- Eli Manning, New York Giants
- Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts
- Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
- J.J. Watt, Houston Texans
- Richard Sherman, Seattle Seahawks
- Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings
- Clay Matthews, Green Bay Packers
- Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys
- Patrick Willis, San Francisco 49ers
- Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots
- Arian Foster, Houston Texans
- Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions
- Victor Cruz, New York Giants
- Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
- Wes Welker, Denver Broncos
- Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins
- LeSean McCoy, Philadelphia Eagles
- Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers
- Cam Newton, Carolina Panthers
- Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens
- DeMarcus Ware, Dallas Cowboys
- Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys
- Brandon Marshall, Chicago Bears
- Frank Gore, San Francisco 49ers
- Darren McFadden, Oakland Raiders
- Miles Austin, Dallas Cowboys
- Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens
- Jay Cutler, Chicago Bears
- Trent Richardson, Indianapolis Colts
- Andre Johnson, Houston Texans
- A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals
- Jamaal Charles, Kansas City Chiefs
- Jimmy Graham, New Orleans Saints
- Vernon Davis, San Francisco 49ers
- Jordy Nelson, Green Bay Packers
- Matt Ryan, Atlanta Falcons
- Von Miller, Denver Broncos
- Eric Decker, Denver Broncos
- Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers
- Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons
- Matt Forte, Chicago Bears
- Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers
