The 2001 NFL season was the 82nd regular season of the National Football League (NFL), and the first season of the 21st century. The league permanently moved the first week of the regular season to the weekend following Labor Day. In the wake of the September 11 attacks, the NFL's week 2 games were postponed and rescheduled to the weekend of January 6 and 7, 2002. To retain the full playoff format, all playoff games, including Super Bowl XXXVI, were rescheduled one week later. The New England Patriots won the Super Bowl, defeating the St. Louis Rams 20–17 at the Louisiana Superdome.
Gregory Paul Landry is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) from 1968 to 1981, and again in 1984. He played for the Detroit Lions, Baltimore Colts and Chicago Bears. He played college football at Massachusetts from 1965–1967. He became an assistant coach after his playing career.
Roman Ildonzo Gabriel Jr. was an American professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the NC State Wolfpack, twice earning first-team All-American honors. Gabriel was the second overall pick in the 1962 NFL draft and played for the Los Angeles Rams for 11 seasons then five years for the Philadelphia Eagles. He was notable for being the first NFL quarterback of Filipino-American descent, as well as winning the NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in 1969.
Joe Dan Washington Jr is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Colts, Washington Redskins, and Atlanta Falcons.
Roy Lee Jefferson is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL) for 12 seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore Colts, and Washington Redskins. He played college football for the Utah Utes. During 162 regular season games in the NFL, he had 451 receptions for 7,539 yards and 52 touchdowns.
Raymond Tucker Chester is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). After graduating from Douglass High School in Baltimore, Maryland, Chester played college football at the city’s historically Black university Morgan State. He was a member of its undefeated 1968 team, scoring its only touchdown in the Bears’ historic victory over Grambling at Yankee Stadium.
Freddie Lee Scott is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver from 1974 through 1983 in the National Football League (NFL). In 2001, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.
William Alan Munson was an American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) from 1964 through 1979. He also played college football for Utah State where he set multiple passing records as a senior in 1963.
Herbert Vaughn Orvis was an American professional football player who was a defensive tackle for the Detroit Lions and the Baltimore Colts in a ten-year career that lasted from 1972 to 1981 in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Colorado Buffaloes.
Mike Siani is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for nine seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the Oakland Raiders and Baltimore Colts.
James D. "J. D." Hill is an American former professional football player who was a wide receiver for seven seasons in the National Football League (NFL) for the Buffalo Bills and Detroit Lions. He played college football for the Arizona State Sun Devils. He was the first wide receiver selected in the 1971 NFL draft at 4th in the first round by the Bills. His son, Lonzell Hill, also played wide receiver in the NFL. Another son, Shelby Hill, was a wide receiver for Syracuse University.
The 1978 Detroit Lions season was the franchise's 49th season in the National Football League. Under new head coach and former NFL player Monte Clark, the Lions continue to struggle with mediocrity finishing in third place again with a less than stellar record of 7–9.
Thomas William MacLeod is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the 1973 NFL draft. He played college football at Minnesota.
Eric Ebron is an American former professional football player who was a tight end in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels, and was selected by the Detroit Lions in the first round of the 2014 NFL draft. He also played for the Indianapolis Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers.
Jalen "Teez" Tabor is an American football safety who is a free agent. He played college football at Florida, and was selected in the second round of the 2017 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions.
Jeremiah Ledbetter is an American professional football defensive end for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Arkansas.
Jeffrey Chidera Okudah is an American professional football cornerback for the Houston Texans of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Ohio State, where he was a unanimous All-American in 2019 before being selected by the Detroit Lions third overall in the 2020 NFL draft.
Jason Kiree Huntley is an American professional football running back who is a free agent. He played college football for the [[New Mexico State Aggies football|New Mexico State Aggies], and was selected by the Detroit Lions in the fifth round of the 2020 NFL draft.
Rashod Berry is an American football linebacker for the San Antonio Brahmas of the United Football League (UFL). He played college football for Ohio State.
Jake Funk is an American professional football running back for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Maryland. In Maryland's four games during the 2020 season, which was shortened due to COVID-19, Funk averaged 129 rushing yards per game. He also led the Big Ten Conference and ranked second among all Football Bowl Subdivision running backs with an average of 8.6 rushing yards per carry. Funk was drafted in the 7th round of the 2021 NFL draft by the Los Angeles Rams, and won a Super Bowl with the team in 2021.
