This is a list of players who have appeared in at least one regular season or postseason game in the National Football League (NFL) or American Football League (AFL) and have a last name that starts with "U" or "V". [lower-alpha 1] This list is accurate through the end of the 2023 NFL season.
The Atlanta Falcons are a professional American football team based in Atlanta. The Falcons compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) South division. The Falcons were founded on June 30, 1965, and joined the NFL in 1966 as an expansion team, after the NFL offered then-owner Rankin Smith a franchise to keep him from joining the rival American Football League (AFL).
Francis Asbury Tarkenton, nicknamed "Scramblin' Fran", is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 18 seasons, primarily with the Minnesota Vikings. He is widely regarded as the first great dual-threat quarterback in the NFL. He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs, where he was recognized as a twice first-team All-SEC, and was selected by the Vikings in the third round of the 1961 NFL draft. After retiring from football, he became a media personality and computer software executive.
Michael Dwayne Vick is an American former professional football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons. He is the NFL leader in quarterback rushing yards and was the league's first quarterback to rush for 1,000 yards in a season. Vick played college football at Virginia Tech, where he won the Archie Griffin Award as a freshman, and was selected first overall by the Atlanta Falcons in the 2001 NFL draft. During his six years with the Falcons, he was named to three Pro Bowls and led the team to two playoff runs, one division title, and an NFC Championship Game appearance.
Vincent Frank Testaverde Sr. is an American former professional football player who was a quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) for 21 seasons. He played college football for the Miami Hurricanes, earning consensus All-American honors and winning the Heisman Trophy in 1986.
Sharod Lamor "Roddy" White is an American former professional football player who spent his entire career as a wide receiver with the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the UAB Blazers, and was selected by the Falcons in the first round of the 2005 NFL draft.
Thomas Pryor Thompson was an American football quarterback in the National Football League (NFL) and Canadian Football League (CFL).
Ronald Vander Kelen was an American football quarterback. He played at the collegiate level at the University of Wisconsin–Madison and is best known for his MVP performance in the 1963 Rose Bowl, where he broke several Rose Bowl records, some of which still stand. In that game, he orchestrated a legendary fourth quarter comeback attempt against the USC Trojans in the first #1 (USC) versus #2 (Wisconsin) bowl game in college football history. Vander Kelen was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame in 1991.
Shane Patrick-Henry Vereen is an American former professional football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the California Golden Bears and was selected by the New England Patriots in the second round of the 2011 NFL draft.
Courtney Tremaine Upshaw is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Alabama Crimson Tide, earning first-team All-American honors in 2011. He was selected by the Baltimore Ravens in the second round of the 2012 NFL draft.
Vincent Valentine is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle in the National Football League (NFL) for the New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals. He was selected by the Patriots in the third round of the 2016 NFL draft after playing college football for the Nebraska Cornhuskers. He was also a member of the Seattle Seahawks but did not appear in any games for them.
Terrance Lynn Unrein is an American former professional football player who was a nose tackle in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Colorado State Rams before being selected in the third round of the 1986 NFL draft by the San Diego Chargers. After his football career, he became a sales executive.
Leighton Vander Esch is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Boise State Broncos, and was selected by the Cowboys in the first round of the 2018 NFL draft. He spent six seasons with the team, earning Pro Bowl and All-Pro honors in his rookie season before neck injuries prematurely ended his playing career.
Foyesade "Foye" Oluokun is an American professional football linebacker for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at Yale, and was drafted by the Atlanta Falcons in the sixth round of the 2018 NFL draft. He is notable for his proficient tackling ability.