Physical Extremes
How tall? How heavy? The pre-draft measurements that shaped the all-time greats. 9 stories in this series.
Heaviest NFL Player Ever: Aaron Gibson, 410 lbs
The heaviest NFL player ever was Aaron Gibson at 410 lbs — a Lions/Cowboys/Bears/Bills offensive tackle from 1999 to 2004.
How Tall Is Victor Wembanyama? 7'4" With 8' Wingspan
Victor Wembanyama is 7'4" tall with an 8'0" wingspan — the longest verified wingspan in modern NBA, only behind Manute Bol's 8'6".
How Tall Is Yao Ming? 7'6" — The Tallest All-Star Ever
Yao Ming is 7'6" tall — the tallest player ever to make an NBA All-Star team. Mureșan and Bol at 7'7" never were All-Stars.
Oldest NFL Player Ever: George Blanda at 48 Years Old
George Blanda played in the NFL until age 48 — the oldest ever. He was a QB AND placekicker for 26 seasons (1949-1975).
Shaquille O'Neal Height: 7'1" and 325 lbs
Shaquille O'Neal's height: officially 7'1" (1992 combine: 7'2¼" in shoes, 9'7" reach, 327 lb at 20). How Shaq compares to other big men.
Shortest NBA Player Ever: Muggsy Bogues at 5'3"
The shortest NBA player ever is Muggsy Bogues at 5'3" — 14 seasons, 6,726 career assists, and a famous block on Patrick Ewing.
Shortest NFL Player Ever: Jack Shapiro at 5'1"
The shortest NFL player ever is Jack Shapiro at 5'1", who played one game for the 1929 Stapletons. Modern record: Trindon Holliday at 5'5".
Tallest NBA Player Ever: Mureșan and Bol at 7'7"
The tallest NBA players ever are Gheorghe Mureșan and Manute Bol, both at 7'7". One won Most Improved; the other broke the blocks record.
Tallest NFL Player Ever: Richard Sligh at 7'0"
The tallest NFL player ever is Richard Sligh, a 7'0" defensive tackle for the 1967 Oakland Raiders. No one since has been listed at 7 feet.
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