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.

Bart Oates

USA TODAY Sports 

Bart Oates played for the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers. He played center for the Giants from 1985-93 and with the 49ers from ’94-95. He was a member of the Giants teams that won Super Bowls XXI and XXV and the 49ers team that won Super Bowl XXIX. Oates played three seasons with the Philadelphia/Baltimore Stars in the USFL, where he won two championships