43 NFL players who spent time in other leagues

Arena, the USFL, CFL and other leagues have been the path to the NFL for some players.

Nate Newton

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After his release by Washington of the NFL, he signed with the Tampa Bay Bandits, who drafted him in 1983 as part of a territorial draft. He played there for two years (1984-85) as an offensive tackle. Newton went on to play for the Dallas Cowboys and Carolina Panthers. from 1986–1999. He was a three-time Super Bowl champ with Dallas.