Wyoming: Home of Cowboys (and Surprisingly Many NFL Players)
You might think of Wyoming and picture rugged mountains, Yellowstone National Park, and maybe a tumbleweed or two rolling by. But there's something else this state is surprisingly good at churning out: NFL players. That's right, folks, Wyoming, the state with a population that could fit comfortably in a mid-sized stadium, has a knack for sending talented athletes to the big leagues.
They Drafted Who from Where?
Now, we're not talking Alabama or Ohio State numbers here. Wyoming isn't exactly a football powerhouse (though the University of Wyoming's "Cowboys" are a scrappy bunch, don't get me wrong). But here's the thing: while the quantity might be a bit on the low side, the quality is undeniable.
Case in point: Josh Allen, the gunslinging quarterback for the Buffalo Bills. Drafted out of Wyoming in 2018, Allen has become a superstar, proving you don't need to come from a school with a fancy weight room to chuck a football a mile.
There are others, too. Linebackers, safeties, defensive ends – Wyoming seems to have a secret stash of hidden gems, ready to be unleashed on the NFL.
So, How Many Wyoming Cowboys Are Out There?
Alright, alright, enough suspense. You came here for the numbers, so here they are:
- Drafted to the NFL: Around 85 players, according to some sources. That's like one player per every 5,000 Wyoming residents! Not bad, right?
- Currently in the NFL: This number fluctuates, but as of today, let's say there are roughly a handful of Wyoming alumni making plays on Sundays.
Look, it's not Texas or Florida, but for a state with a population smaller than some counties, Wyoming more than holds its own in the NFL player department.
Why Wyoming?
Here's the real question: what's in the water (or the altitude?) in Wyoming that breeds these NFL-caliber players? Maybe it's the work ethic instilled by surviving harsh winters. Perhaps it's the wide-open spaces that give them room to develop their throws. Or maybe, just maybe, they're all secretly descended from a long line of Paul Bunyans.
Whatever the reason, Wyoming deserves a tip of the cap for its contribution to America's favorite sport. So next time you see a monster throw or a bone-crushing tackle, there's a chance it could be courtesy of a Wyoming-grown athlete.
Who knows, maybe someday we'll see an entire NFL team comprised solely of Wyoming players. The "Wyoming Wind Chill" – it has a nice ring to it, don't you think?
