Shortest NFL Player

American football is often associated with the age of Roman Gladiators. The football players have always been associated with their huge physiques, strong bodies. There is absolutely no doubt that American football is not meant for the physically weak but that does not mean that short men cannot be excellent NFL players. There have been men who have defied the conventional norms of physical requisites in order to play this game, through the sheer power of their will and talent of playing.

#1 - Jack Shapiro - 5 Feet 1 Inches (1.55 m)
When it comes to the question of who was the shortest NFL player in history, the title goes hands down to Jack Shapiro or 'Soapy' (March 22, 1907 - February 5, 2001). He was the first shortest professional player to play in 1929 for the National Football League. Shapiro's Army discharge papers said that he was 5 feet ½ inches tall and he weighed 122 pounds or 55 kg. Though he always preferred to say that he was 5 feet 1 inch, as that just sounded better. He played for the Staten Islands Stapletons. His playing position was of the quarterback and the fullback and he hailed from the New York University. During the Stapletons game Shapiro played as the blocking back, the team had a 34-0 victory against the Minneapolis Red Jackets team. He was a part of the teams roster and played in 2 regular game seasons as well as 1 friendly exhibition game.

In 1995 Jack Shapiro was given the honor of the Norm Van Brocklin Award for Outstanding Achievement from the NFL Alumni. In 1999 he was recognized by the Guinness Book of Records, as the shortest NFL player ever to play professional football. In a game dominated by big burly men, he was an obvious exception and is considered as one of the famous NFL players. Though for Shapiro it was about achieving what your heart is set out for. He didn't have much growing up, his father and his two brothers made a total of about $9.00 a week and the family had to manage with that much. His father severely detested Jack playing high school football as his other two older sons had fractured their legs while playing the game. Nonetheless he went ahead with his dream.

#2 - Trindon Holiday - 5 Feet 5 Inches (1.65 m)
He is currently the shortest player in NFL and is 24 years old. He stands a proud 5 feet 5 inches tall and began playing in 2010 for the Houston Texas as their wide receiver. He is the fastest player in football. In 2005 he posted the nation's fastest indoor times in a record 55 and 60 meter dash. He reached the 100 m semi finals in the 2008 United Stated Olympic Trials.

#3 - Darren Sproles - 5 Feet 6 Inches (1.68 m)
Sproles is also fondly called the 'Lightening Bug', he is currently the second shortest player in the NFL and is 5 feet 6 inches tall. He weighs 82 kg and is 27 years old. He plays for the San Diego Chargers as a running back. He was inducted into the NFL draft in 2005 and named as the Kick Returner for his team. In 2007 Sproles made history during the Chargers win by 23-21 over Indianapolis Colts game, by becoming the second player ever to have returned a kickoff as well as a punt while doing two touchdowns in the same game. This feat was achieved by Dante Hall in 2003. In the same year he completed his 100+ yard run.

In September 2008, Sproles made history again against the Denver Broncos Team, by becoming the second player ever in NFL history who had completed 50 rushing yards as well as the same number of receiving yards and 100 return yards in one single game. The first player to do so was Gale Sayers of the Chicago Bears. During this game Sproles logged 317 all purpose yards and a 103 yard touchdown. In January 2009, Darren Sproles etched his name in American history once again by becoming the third ever player to log 328 all purpose yards. In February 2009, Sproles signed his new franchise with the Chargers for $6.621 million.

These men are proof of the fact that if you try hard enough and give your best, then you can and will achieve what you set out for.