Amon-Ra St. Brown and Equanimeous St. Brown are two of the many brother duos in NFL history. During Week 1 of the 2022 regular season, the two shared a special moment when they scored a touchdown within minutes of each other – though they were playing in different cities.
The first TD came from Amon-Ra – who plays for the Detroit Lions. He caught a four-yard TD pass from Jared Goff in the third quarter of their Week 1 loss to the Eagles. He finished the game with eight receptions for 64 yards and one TD, proving to be the Lion’s No. 1 receiver.
Just two minutes and 14 seconds after that TD, Equanimeous scored a TD in his debut with the Chicago Bears – an 18-yard pass from second-year quarterback Justin Fields in the fourth quarter of their win against the 49ers. It was his only reception of the day, but it was clutch.
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Other Notable Brother Duos in NFL History
Amon-Ra might be the younger brother at just 22 years old, but he’s already off to a better career than Equanimeous. He had 90 catches for 912 yards and five TDs as a rookie for the Lions, and already has 17 catches for 180 yards and three TDs through two games this year.
As for Equanimeous, he is currently in his fourth season in the NFL and first with the Bears. He spent the first three seasons of his career with the Green Bay Packers, totaling 37 catches for 543 yards and one TD in that span. He has three catches for 57 yards and one TD this year.
It’s always nice to see family ties in professional sports, but what these two brothers shared in Week 1 was special. It makes us think back to some of the other notable brother duos in NFL history – there have been quite a few worth mentioning, so let’s see which ones made the list!
20. Randall Cunningham & Sam Cunningham
Randall Cunningham was a second round draft pick by the Eagles in 1985 and went on to have a 16-year career in the NFL. He had an 82-52-1 record as starting QB, throwing for 29,979 yards, 207 touchdowns, and 134 interceptions. He also ran for 4,928 yards and 3 touchdowns.
His older brother, Sam Cunningham, was the No. 11 overall draft pick by the New England Patriots in 1973 and went on to have a nine-year career in the NFL. He retired with 5,453 rushing yards, 1,905 receiving yards, and 49 total touchdowns – he was a Pro Bowler in 1978.
19. Shaquill Griffin & Shaquem Griffin
Shaquill Griffin was a third round draft pick by the Seattle Seahawks in 2017 and has spent the past six seasons in the NFL. In 73 games played, he has 306 tackles, 9 tackles for loss, 1.0 sack, 1 forced fumble, 6 interceptions, and 57 passes defensed. He was a Pro Bowler in 2019.
His twin brother, Shaquem Griffin, was a fifth round draft pick by the Seattle Seahawks in 2018 – a year after Shaquill was drafted by the team. He only started one game over the next three seasons and recently announced his retirement from the game, but will remain close to football.
18. Michael Bennet & Martellus Bennett
Michael Bennett was signed by the Seattle Seahawks as an undrafted free agent in 2009 and went on to have an 11-year career in the NFL. He retired in 2019 with 359 career tackles, 132 tackles for loss, 69.5 sacks, 13 forced fumbles, one touchdown, and three Pro Bowl honors.
His younger brother, Martellus Bennett, was a second round draft pick by the Dallas Cowboys in 2008 and went on to have a 10-year career in the NFL. He retired with 433 career receptions, 4,573 receiving yards, and 30 touchdowns. He was a Pro Bowler in 2014 with the Bears.
17. Tiki Barber & Ronde Barber
Tiki Barber was a second round draft pick by the New York Giants in 1997 and went on to have a 10-year career in the NFL. He retired in 2006 with 10,449 rushing yards, 5,183 receiving yards, and 67 touchdowns – including a career-high 15 touchdowns during the 2004 season.
His twin brother, Ronde Barber, was a third round draft pick by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in 1997 – the same draft as Tiki – and went on to have a 16-year career in the NFL. He retired with 1,251 tackles, 28.0 sacks, 15 forced fumbles, 47 interceptions, and 12 defensive touchdowns.
16. Clay Matthews Jr. & Bruce Matthews
Clay Matthews Jr. was the 12th overall draft pick by the Cleveland Browns in 1978 and went on to enjoy a 19-year career in the NFL. He retired in 1996 with 1,595 tackles, 82.5 sacks, 27 forced fumbles, 16 interceptions, and two touchdowns. He was also a four-time Pro Bowler.
His younger brother, Bruce Matthews, was the ninth overall draft pick by the Houston Oilers in 1983 and went on to have a 19-year, Hall of Fame career. He started in 293 games for the Oilers/Titans and was named to 14 consecutive Pro Bowls between 1988 and 2001.
15. Clay Matthews III & Casey Matthews
We’re not done with the Matthews’ family just yet. Clay Matthews III, son of Clay Matthews Jr. (from above), was the 26th overall draft pick by the Packers in 2009. He retired in 2019 with 519 tackles, 130 tackles for loss, 91.5 sacks, 17 forced fumbles, six interceptions, and three TDs.
His younger brother, Casey Matthews, was a fourth round draft pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011 and went on to have a four-year career in the NFL. He retired with 114 tackles, 7 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, 1 forced fumble, and 2 fumble recoveries – not quite as good as his brother.
14. Shannon Sharpe & Sterling Sharpe
Sterling Sharpe was the seventh overall draft pick by the Green Bay Packers in 1988 and went on to have a seven-year career in the NFL. He retired in 1994 with 595 career receptions, 8,134 yards, and 65 touchdowns – including a career-high 18 touchdowns the year before retiring.
His younger brother, Shannon Sharpe, was a seventh round draft pick by the Denver Broncos in 1990 and went on to have a 14-year, Hall of Fame career. He retired with 815 receptions for 10,060 yards and 62 touchdowns. He was an eight-time Pro Bowler and three-time champion.
13. Dustin Colquitt & Britton Colquitt
Dustin Colquitt was a third round draft pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2005 and spent the past 17 years in the NFL. In 255 career games played – 238 of which with the Chiefs – Colquitt punted the ball 1,198 times for 53,660 yards and was named a Pro Bowler in 2012 and 2016.
His younger brother, Britton Colquitt, went undrafted in 2009, but still managed to enjoy an 11-year career in the NFL. He retired in 2020 with 176 games under his belt, punting the ball 834 times for 37,897 yards throughout his career. He was a Super Bowl champ with Denver.
12. Rex Ryan & Rob Ryan
Alright, Rex Ryan and Rob Ryan weren’t NFL players, but they’re worth mentioning due to their impact on the game over the past 30 years. The twins played college football at Southwestern Oklahoma State University and began their coaching careers in college as graduate assistants.
By 1994, they both got hired as position coaches by the Arizona Cardinals. They eventually made their way back to college football, but started to gain notoriety in the NFL in the 2000s. They were both defensive coordinators at one point – Rex was head coach of the Bills and Jets.
11. John Harbaugh & Jim Harbaugh
Since we’re mentioning the Ryan brothers, we may as well talk about the Harbaugh brothers. John Harbaugh played college ball at Miami University before starting his coaching career as a graduate assistant. Jim Harbaugh played college ball at Michigan and was eventually drafted.
John bounced around between coaching gigs in college football before entering the NFL in 1998. He became the head coach of the Ravens in 2008 and has been with the team ever since. He has a career 137-88 record with the team, including a Super Bowl win in 2013.
In fact, he defeated his brother in that 2013 Super Bowl – Jim was head coach of the 49ers at the time. It was the first time two brothers faced off as head coaches in Super Bowl history. Harbaugh has since returned to college football and became head coach of Michigan in 2015.
10. Rob Gronkowski & Dan Gronkowski
Rob Gronkowski was a second round draft pick by the New England Patriots in 2010 and went on to have an 11-year career in the NFL. The future Hall of Famer retired after the 2021 season with 621 career receptions, 9,286 yards, and 92 touchdowns. He was a four-time champion.
Rob actually had two brothers that played in the NFL – Dan Gronkowski was a seventh round draft pick in 2009 and Chris Gronkowski went undrafted in 2010. Neither of them played very much or stuck around the league very long, but it’s clear that football runs in the Gronk family.
9. Zack Martin & Nick Martin
Zack Martin was the 16th overall pick by the Dallas Cowboys in 2014 and continues to play for the team to this day. He has logged 122 starts since joining the Cowboys – including playing in 100% of the snaps so far this season – and is one of the best offensive guards in the league.
His younger brother, Nick Martin, was a second round draft pick by the Houston Texans in 2016 and currently plays for the Washington Commanders. He had 64 starts in his first four seasons – missing just two games his rookie year – but hasn’t logged a start since. He’s now a backup.
8. David Carr & Derek Carr
David Carr was the No. 1 overall draft pick by the Houston Texans in 2002 and went on to have a 10-year career in the NFL. He retired with a 23-56 record as a starting quarterback, throwing for 14,452 yards, 65 touchdowns, and 71 interceptions. He never quite lived up to the hype.
His younger brother, Derek Carr, was a second round draft pick by the Las Vegas Raiders in 2014 and remains the team’s starting QB to this day. He has a 57-72 record as a starter, throwing for 32,247 yards, 197 touchdowns, and 88 interceptions. He’s a three-time Pro Bowler.
7. Mike Pouncey & Maurkice Pouncey
Another set of twins, Mike Pouncey and Maurkice Pouncey both play the center position and were both drafted in the first round in 2011 – Mike went No. 15 overall to the Miami Dolphins, while Maurkice went No. 18 overall to the Pittsburgh Steelers. They retired together in 2021.
Mike logged 114 starts in nine seasons with the Dolphins and Chargers between 2011 and 2019 – he made four Pro Bowl appearances. Maurkice logged 134 starts in 10 seasons with the Steelers between 2011 and 2020 – he was a nine-time Pro Bowler and two-time All-Pro.
6. Devin McCourty & Jason McCourty
Let’s keep it going with the twins! Jason McCourty was a sixth round pick by the Tennessee Titans in the 2009 draft and went on to have a 13-year career in the NFL. He retired with 744 tackles, 18 interceptions, 3 touchdowns, 108 passes defensed, and one Super Bowl ring.
Devin McCourty was drafted 27th overall by the New England Patriots in 2010. He continues to play with the team and has recorded 909 tackles, 31 interceptions, 2 touchdowns, and 103 passes defensed. He’s a three-time Super Bowl champion – including one with his brother.
5. Stefon Diggs & Trevon Diggs
Stefon Diggs was a fifth round draft pick by the Minnesota Vikings in 2015 and is currently playing in his third season with the Buffalo Bills. In 105 games played, he has 615 receptions, 7,653 yards, and 52 TDs – including 250 catches, 3,030 yards, and 22 TDs with the Bills.
His younger brother, Trevon Diggs, was a second round draft pick by the Dallas Cowboys in 2020 and is now playing in his third season with the team. After recording three interceptions his rookie year, he burst onto the scene with 11 interceptions last year – which led the entire NFL.
4. Travis Kelce & Jason Kelce
Jason Kelce was a sixth round draft pick by the Philadelphia Eagles in 2011 and has spent his entire career with the team. Now in his 12th season, he has logged 161 starts at center – including nine full seasons. He’s as reliable as they come and one of the best centers in football.
His younger brother, Travis Kelce, was a third round draft pick by the Kansas City Chiefs in 2013 and has spent his entire career with the team. Now in his 10th season, he has 717 career catches, 9,178 yards, and 58 TDs – 36 of which have come since Patrick Mahomes took over.
3. Joey Bosa & Nick Bosa
Joey Bosa was the No. 3 overall pick by the Los Angeles Chargers in 2016 and continues to play with the team to this day. Now in his seventh season, he has already logged 297 tackles, 75 tackles for loss, 59.5 sacks, 14 forced fumbles, and one Defensive Player of the Year award.
His younger brother, Nick Bosa, was the No. 2 overall pick by the San Francisco 49ers in 2019 and continues to play with the team to this day. Now in his fourth season, he has already logged 114 tackles, 40 tackles for loss, 27.5 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, and Defensive Rookie of the Year.
2. J.J. Watt & T.J. Watt
J.J. Watt was the No. 11 overall draft pick by the Houston Texans in 2011 and has spent the past 12 seasons in the league. Now in his second season with the Cardinals, he already has 549 career tackles, 178 tackles for loss, 103.0 sacks, 26 forced fumbles, and three touchdowns.
His younger brother, T.J. Watt, was the 30th overall draft pick by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2017 and continues to play for the team to this day. Now in his sixth season in the league, he already has 300 tackles, 83 tackles for loss, 73.0 sacks, 22 forced fumbles, and five interceptions.
1. Peyton Manning & Eli Manning
Peyton Manning was the No. 1 draft pick by the Indianapolis Colts in 1998 and went on to have a 17-year, Hall of Fame career. He retired with a 186-79 record as starting QB, throwing for 71,940 yards and 539 touchdowns. He was a five-time MVP and two-time Super Bowl champ.
His younger brother, Eli Manning, was the No. 1 overall draft pick by the San Diego Chargers in 2004, but was later traded to the New York Giants – where he spent his entire 16-year career. He threw for 57,023 yards and 366 touchdowns, winning two Super Bowls in the process.
NFL Players With Brothers on the Come-Up
While Amon-Ra and Equanimeous are the latest brother duos in NFL action, they certainly won’t be the last brother duos in NFL history. In fact, there are a lot of high school football players right now that have brothers in the NFL – so we could be seeing some family reunions very soon.
For example, Jaguars’ running back Travis Etienne Jr. has a brother that’s currently a four-star running back in high school. Raiders’ cornerback Trayvon Mullen has two brothers on the rise – one’s at the University of Indiana and the other one is the No. 24 cornerback recruit today.
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Let’s not forget Cody Barton and Jackson Barton – two brothers that currently play in the NFL, who have another brother who’s the No. 24 ranked linebacker in the nation. Zach Wilson, Evan McPherson, and Ray-Ray McCloud also have brothers getting ready to play college football.
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