What Do The Best NFL Players Eat On Game Day?

The diets of NFL players have long been a subject of debate, even before those like the recently-retired Tom Brady brought their game day meal plans to the forefront of public discussion through social media.

For every Brady, who meticulously meted out servings of vegetables and lean meat while avoiding tomatoes, gluten, added sugar, and processed food altogether, there are legends of the poor diets of players from the 1960s like Packers’ Hall of Famer Len Dawson, pictured here smoking a cigarette and nursing a soda during halftime at the first Super Bowl.

Reigning NFL MVP and Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes has also found himself in the spotlight for his dietary eccentricities. Mahomes loves ketchup so much that he slathers the condiment on everything, from his steaks and Thanksgiving turkey to mixing it in his mac and cheese.

While the combination of cheese and condiments may seem borderline sacrilegious to many, perhaps Mahomes is on to something: he’s already well on his way to becoming one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, and Caesars Sportsbook Ohio currently lists him as having the best odds of winning a second consecutive MVP award: the book lists him at +650, and his Chiefs have the best championship odds too (+600).

Here’s a look at some of the other dietary choices (both unique and mundane) that NFL superstars go to ahead of their Sunday games.

Minnesota Vikings free safety Harrison Smith has been one of the best defensive backs in the league since he broke in in 2012, racking up 34 interceptions in that time. Perhaps part of the reason for his stunning performance is his unique pregame meal. Smith eats half a plain bagel ahead of games, washing it down with a cup of coffee… and a shot of tabasco sauce. On other days, he only knocks back the hot sauce, taking the field on an empty stomach. No wonder he’s such a fiery player!

Las Vegas Raiders wide receiver Davante Adams picked up his pregame meal tradition in 2014, his rookie season with the Packers. In an interview with ESPN in 2019, Adams said.

“I eat the same thing every game — a salmon salad with cucumber, shredded cheese, and ranch. I did it for the first time before the Patriots game my rookie year, and I stuck with it.”

With 9,637 receiving yards and 87 touchdowns since he made it to the league, Adams’ route-running ability is as slippery as the fish he loves to eat. It’s been said that kickers and punters are a different breed, so here’s a pair of specialists (both among the best in the league at their respective positions) who are known for their bizarre game-day habits.

Seattle Seahawks punter Michael Dickson was named a First-Team All-Pro as a rookie in 2018, and he’s continued to turn in stellar performances ever since. Like Smith, Dickson enjoys having a cup of coffee. While Smith didn’t specify whether he drinks his coffee black or if he adds sugar or cream, Dickson has elaborated that he needs his coffee with a shot of chocolate milk. It seems like a curious combo, but given that restaurant like Wendy’s have combined milkshakes and coffee in recent years with beverages like the Frosty-ccino, maybe Dickson was ahead of the trend.

Philadelphia Eagler kicker Jake Elliott has followed a similar career path. Known for his big leg and unflappable cool, Elliott set three NFL records for kick distance by a rookie during his debut season. In line with his ice cold persona, Elliott doesn’t worry much about upsetting his stomach or carefully regulating his diet, not even when he’s got a game ahead of him. Elliott eats a slice of pizza and a piece of cheesecake before each game: as a kicker, it’s a good thing he doesn’t have to run much after eating all that cheese.