Top five NFL players born on Leap Day

February 29 is rather special to me. On a personal note, it is my mom’s birthday, and it only happens once every four years. Here are the five best NFL players all-time born on February 29, also known as Leap Day.

5) Cary Conklin

The native of Yakima, Washington is 56 years old today. He played three seasons in the NFL (two with the Washington Redskins from 1992 to 1993, and one with the San Francisco 49ers in 1995). A quarterback, Conklin completed 52 of 101 passes for 560 passing yards, five touchdowns and three interceptions.

4) Dick Wood

The native of Lanett, Alabama was born on February 29, 1936 before passing away in 2015. Also a quarterback, Wood played five NFL seasons from 1962 to 1966. He played with the Denver Broncos, San Diego Chargers, New York Jets, Oakland Raiders, and Miami Dolphins. Wood completed 522 passes in 1194 attempts for 7153 passing yards, 51 touchdowns and 71 interceptions. He also had 26 rushes for 45 rushing yards and four touchdown runs.

3) Eric Kendricks

The active inside linebacker for the Los Angeles Chargers is 32 years old today. A native of Clovis, California, Kendricks has played nine seasons in the NFL. The first eight were with the Minnesota Vikings from 2015 to 2022, and the last season was with the Chargers in 2023. In 132 games, Kendricks has 1036 combined tackles (658 solo tackles and 378 assisted tackles), 61 tackles for a loss, 36 quarterback hits, nine interceptions for 133 yards and two pick sixes, 57 pass deflections, five forced fumbles, six fumble recoveries for two yards and one touchdown, and 18.5 sacks. The pick sixes came on September 11, 2016 (25-16 Vikings win over the Tennessee Titans) and on December 17, 2017 (34-7 Vikings win over the Cincinnati Bengals). The fumble recovery for a touchdown came on November 13, 2022 in a 33-30 Vikings win over the Buffalo Bills. In 2019, Kendricks was selected to the Pro Bowl while with the Vikings. He had career highs that season in pass deflections (12), forced fumbles (two) and fumble recoveries (two).

2) Bryce Paup

Like Conklin, the native of Jefferson, Iowa is is 56 years old today. A linebacker, Paup played 11 seasons in the NFL from 1990 to 2000. He was with the Green Bay Packers (1990 to 1994), Buffalo Bills (1995 to 1997), Jacksonville Jaguars (1998 and 1999), and Minnesota Vikings (2000). For four straight years from 1994 to 1997, Paup was selected to the Pro Bowl. In 1995 with the Bills, he was the Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year, and led the NFL with 17.5 sacks. In 148 games, Paup had 545 tackles, one safety, six interceptions for 55 yards, one touchdown, six fumble recoveries and 75 sacks. Paup’s safety came in a 15-13 Packers win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on September 15, 1991, and his pick six was for 10 yards and came in a 38-10 Packers win over the Detroit Lions on November 6, 1994.

1) John Nilland

The native of Quincy, Massachusetts is 80 years old today. Nilland played 10 seasons in the NFL (nine with the Dallas Cowboys from 1966 to 1974 and one with the Philadelphia Eagles in 1975) as a guard. Six times Milland was selected to the Pro Bowl (1968 to 1973), and had five fumble recoveries for one yard and one touchdown. The major score came on November 19, 1972 in a 28-7 Cowboys win over the Eagles. Nilland also won the Super Bowl with the Cowboys in 1972. Dallas beat Miami 24-3.