The top-five greatest players to ever play in Big Game
With the sixth-most meetings of a college football rivalry, few match the longevity, regional pride and generational imprint of Big Game. Since 1892, the Cardinal has held a slight edge over the California Golden Bears, with an all-time win-loss-tie record of 65-51-11.
Together, the programs have produced dozens of first-round picks, including Stanford’s 2017 duo of Solomon Thomas and Christian McCaffrey and Cal’s last first-rounder, quarterback Jared Goff ’16. The two programs have also produced multiple NFL Hall of Famers, including John Elway, Tony Gonzalez, John Lynch and James Lofton. The rivalry’s footprint extends far beyond the Bay Area, reaching deep into the history of the NFL.
As the two teams prepare for this year’s matchup, with Stanford sitting at 3-7 (2-5 ACC) and Cal at 6-4 (3–3 ACC), it is worth revisiting the broader legacy of success each program has achieved. The schools enter on opposite trends, with Cal riding a four-game win streak in the series (2021-present), while Stanford still holds the longest win streak ever recorded, with nine straight victories from 2010 to 2018.
Within this historic rivalry, several players have stood out not only for their contributions to Big Game but also for their extraordinary careers at the professional level. The following list identifies the top-five greatest NFL players to appear in Big Game, evaluated primarily by their accomplishments at the professional level. This metric inevitably leaves out several iconic talents, which is why five additional honorable mentions are included in no particular order.
Honorable Mentions: Cameron Jordan (Cal ’11), Jim Plunkett (Stanford ’71), Marshawn Lynch (Cal ’07), James Lofton (Stanford ’78), Christian McCaffrey (Stanford ’17)
5. Richard Sherman (Stanford 2006-2010)
Richard Sherman’s collegiate career at Stanford is one of the most impressive positional transitions in recent college football history, beginning as a wide receiver before switching to cornerback due to injury.
Across his three appearances in the rivalry, Sherman totaled six receptions for 81 yards and a touchdown during his time on offense. He later added a defensive resume that included two interceptions, 11 combined tackles, four pass deflections and a forced fumble.
Position changes dropped Sherman to the fifth round of the 2011 NFL draft, but his adaptability and competitiveness during his time at Stanford foreshadowed the traits that would define his NFL career. Sherman became a cornerstone of the Seattle Seahawks’ “Legion of Boom,” earning five All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors, and helping deliver the Seahawks’ first and only Super Bowl title in 2014.
Sherman will be remembered in his professional career as one of the greatest cornerbacks of his generation and is infamously known as one of the biggest trash-talkers in the NFL.
4. John Lynch (Stanford 1989-1992)
Initially recruited as a quarterback, Lynch struggled to gain traction at the position, completing just 43.6% of his passes and throwing no touchdowns with three interceptions during his time under center.
As his football future grew more uncertain, Lynch’s baseball stock surged. An excellent pitching prospect, he was selected in the second round of the 1992 MLB Draft by the Florida Marlins and briefly appeared poised to leave football behind altogether.
That trajectory changed when new head coach Bill Walsh arrived at Stanford. Walsh saw Lynch as a potential impact player on defense, convincing Lynch to remain committed to football and to return for his senior season as a starting free safety. Lynch flourished, and his strong senior year, posting four interceptions, propelled him as the 82nd overall pick in the 1993 NFL Draft.
From there, Lynch built a professional resume that justified Walsh’s faith. He became a key player of Tampa Bay’s dominant defense in the early 2000s, with nine Pro Bowl and four All-Pro selections. He is a Super Bowl XXXVII champion and a Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee. While detailed game-by-game statistics from his Big Game appearances are limited, Lynch’s story as a player on the verge of leaving the sport altogether to having an esteemed professional career is incredible. Now, he is the general manager of the San Francisco 49ers, which is next-level impressive.
3. Tony Gonzalez (California 1994-1996)
Tony Gonzalez entered Berkeley splitting time between football and basketball, yet still emerged as the most overwhelming tight end Stanford faced in the mid-1990s. Across his two most significant Big Game appearances, Gonzalez totaled 12 receptions for 171 yards and two touchdowns, including a standout performance in 1995 in which he recorded 10 catches for 150 yards and a score. Although he went 1-2 in his Big Game appearances, it must not be mistaken that his presence was often the focal point of Stanford’s defensive game plan.
Gonzalez’s collegiate production resulted in him being drafted 13th overall in the 1997 NFL draft, proving to be only a prelude to one of the greatest careers in NFL history at the tight end position.
In 17 seasons, he accumulated more than 1,300 receptions, 15,000 receiving yards and 111 touchdowns, numbers that remain unmatched. His 14x Pro Bowl selections, 10x All-Pro honors and induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame solidified his legacy as a transformative figure in his role.
Among all players to emerge from the Stanford-Cal rivalry, Gonzalez stands as one of the most accomplished and is the best player to emerge from the rivalry outside the quarterback position.
2. John Elway (Stanford 1979-1982)
Despite the lack of team success during Elway’s time at Stanford, his placement near the top of the list reflects his extraordinary college production and the Hall of Fame career that followed.
During his time on The Farm, Elway completed 62% of his passes, threw for 9,349 yards and recorded 77 touchdown passes to 39 interceptions, numbers that cemented him as one of the most prolific passers in school history.
Although detailed individual statistics from his Big Game appearances are challenging to find, his rivalry performances included decisive moments, including “The Play,” from the 1982 Big Game — arguably the most famous Big Game moment. Elway seemed to have engineered the game-winning drive and had Stanford in position to close out the game. But Cal’s ensuing kickoff return, known as “The Play,” flipped everything. The Bears weaved across the field, lateraling the ball five times before scoring as the Stanford band stormed the field early. The return went all the way for a touchdown and sealed what is now remembered as the rivalry’s most iconic finish. Elway inevitably left Stanford with a 1-3 record in the Big Game.
After being drafted No. 1 overall in the 1983 NFL draft, Elway became a two-time Super Bowl champion, 9x Pro Bowler, 3x All-Pro and 1987 NFL MVP. His blend of competitive fire and late-game brilliance has carved his name in NFL history. One of his most famous plays includes his “Helicopter Spin” for a first down in Super Bowl XXXII, where he won his first ring against the Green Bay Packers. Elway is considered one of the greatest passers of the football, but to many he is beaten by the player at the top of this ranking.
1. Aaron Rodgers (California 2003-2004)
Aaron Rodgers stands at the top of this list due to his stature as one of the most efficient and decorated quarterbacks in NFL history. His performances in the Big Game rivalry provided an early glimpse of the precision and poise for which Rodgers is known for. During his only two appearances, Rodgers went 37 for 51 with a 72.5 completion percentage, throwing for 479 yards with four touchdowns and one interception, torching the Cardinal defense.
Rodgers would go on to be selected 24th overall in the 2005 NFL draft in what is primarily considered the craziest draft slide in NFL history. His collegiate flashes matured into a professional career that includes four NFL MVP awards, a Super Bowl championship, a Super Bowl MVP and the best touchdown-to-interception ratio in league history.
It is safe to say that the No. 1 overall pick holder in the 2005 NFL draft, the local San Francisco 49ers, regretted passing up on Rodgers to pick Alex Smith instead. His sustained excellence, record-setting efficiency and longevity, now as the oldest active player in the NFL, make Rodgers the best football player to compete in the Stanford-Cal rivalry.
In a series defined by generations of elite talent, no Stanford-Cal alumnus’ NFL resume stands taller than Rodgers, a definite first-ballot Hall of Famer.
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