From the University of Minnesota, Rick Upchurch came to the Denver Broncos in 1975, and like many Wide Receivers, he was used as a returner as a rookie.  This was the role he primarily played in his first four seasons.  During that time, he was a Pro Bowler and a First Team All-Pro Selection twice and was regarded as the NFL's premier punt returner.

While still returning on a regular basis, he would be used more as a Wide Receiver from 1979 to 1983, peaking with a 64 Reception Season in 1979 and finishing with 267 receptions for 4,369 yards and 24 Touchdowns.  Upchurch went to his third Pro Bowl in 1979, with his fourth coming in 1982, coinciding with a third First Team All-Pro selection.  Upchurch would have another 3,008 Punt Return Yards, with eight of them going into the end zone.

One of the most dominating Defensive Tackles of the AFL, Tom Sestak, joined the Buffalo Bills of the American Football League in 1962, where he quickly became the team's defensive anchor.  Sestak was an AFL All-Star in his first four seasons, and in years two through four, he was a First Team All-Pro and was in the top ten in Approximate Value.  The Bills won the 1964 and 1965 AFL Championships, and during that timeframe, Sestak and the Buffalo defense held opponents without a rushing touchdown in 17 straight games, a record that still stands.  Knee problems would force an early retirement after the 1968 Season, but his play was strong enough to make the AFL All-Time Team.

From the University of Minnesota, George Svendsen would play five seasons with the Green Bay Packers over two runs.

The first run ran from 1935 to 1937, during which he helped the Packers win the NFL Championship in 1936.  The Center took two years off the game, then returned to play for the Packers in 1940 and 1941.  He would be chosen for the NFL 1930's All-Decade Team.

One of the more popular Atlanta Falcons of his day, Bill Fralic, was the second overall Draft Pick in 1985 and immediately caught the attention of the Falcons fanbase as an All-Rookie Selection.

Fralic went on to earn two First Team All-Pro selections and four Pro Bowls, and he was considered one of the top offensive guards of the late 1980s; even the legendary Dr. Z once said he was the best.  The former Pittsburgh Panther played four more seasons (three with Atlanta and one with Detroit) and was selected to the 1980's All-Decade Team.