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After Brady, who's the oldest player in the NFL? Here are the Top 10 in pro sports

With Tom Brady retiring – or maybe not? – the NFL has lost its last player born in the 1970s and leaves the four major sports with only two remaining active players born in the decade.

It also leaves L.A. Rams’ tackle Andrew Whitworth – who plays in Sunday’s NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers – as the league’s oldest active player.

Brady’s reported retirement provided a stark realization for sports fans hovering around the quarterback’s age – the dream of being a professional athlete is over, at least in the big four sports.

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With Tom Brady retiring - maybe - the NFL no longer has any active players born in the 1970s. So who's the oldest active player now? Watch Sunday's game between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers and you'll find out.
With Tom Brady retiring - maybe - the NFL no longer has any active players born in the 1970s. So who's the oldest active player now? Watch Sunday's game between the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers and you'll find out.

So how old are the oldest players in the NFL, MLB, NBA and NHL?

Well, here’s the list of the Top 10 oldest active players in each league and if you’re at or near 40 years old, you might want to turn away.

Oldest Active NFL Players

  • Andrew Whitworth, Los Angeles Rams, Tackle, 40 years old (12/12/81)

  • Jason Peters, Chicago Bears, Tackle, 40 years old (1/22/82)

  • Dustin Colquitt, Cleveland Browns, Punter, 39 years old (5/6/82)

  • Andy Lee, Arizona Cardinals, Punter, 39 years old (8/11/82)

  • Sam Koch, Punter, Baltimore Ravens, 39 years old (8/13/82)

  • Ryan Fitzpatrick, Washington Football Team, Quarterback, 39 years old (11/24/82)

  • Robbie Gould, San Francisco 49ers, Kicker, 39 years old (12/6/82)

  • Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers, Quarterback, 38 years old (12/2/83)

  • Marcedes Lewis, Green Bay Packers, Tight End, 37 years old (5/19/84)

  • Clark Harris, Cincinnati Bengals, Tight End, 37 years old (7/10/84)

MLB's Oldest Active Players

He's currently a free agent, but Albert Pujols was a key contributor to the Los Angeles Dodgers' postseason run and is currently Major League Baseball's oldest active player.
He's currently a free agent, but Albert Pujols was a key contributor to the Los Angeles Dodgers' postseason run and is currently Major League Baseball's oldest active player.
  • Albert Pujols, Free agent (finished 2021 with the Los Angeles Dodgers), first baseman, 42 years old (1/16/80)

  • Rich Hill, Boston Red Sox, Pitcher, 41 years old (3/11/80)

  • Nelson Cruz, Free agent (finished 2021 with the Tampa Bay Rays), outfielder, 41 years old (7/1/1982)

  • Oliver Perez, Free agent (finished 2021 with the Cleveland Indians), relief pitcher, 40 years old (8/15/81)

  • Adam Wainwright, St. Louis Cardinals, relief pitcher, 40 years old (8/30/1981)

  • Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals, catcher, 39 years old (7/13/22)

  • J.A. Happ, Free agent (finished 2021 with the St. Louis Cardinals), relief pitcher, 39 years old (10/19/82)

  • Darren O’Day, Free agent (finished 2021 with the New York Yankees), relief pitcher, 39 years old (10/22/82)

  • Robinson Cano, New York Mets, 39 years old (10/22/82)

  • Ervin Santana, Free agent (finished 2021 with the Kansas City Royals), pitcher, 39 years old (12/12/82)

NBA's Oldest Active Players

Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem (40) plays defense during the second half against the Detroit Pistons, Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021, in Miami.
Miami Heat forward Udonis Haslem (40) plays defense during the second half against the Detroit Pistons, Thursday, Dec. 23, 2021, in Miami.
  • Udonis Haslem, Miami Heat, Forward/Center, 41 years old (6/9/1980)

  • Andre Iguodala, Golden State Warriors, Guard/Forward, 38 years old (1/28/84)

  • Carmelo Anthony, Los Angeles Lakers, Forward, 37 years old (5/29/84)

  • LeBron James, Los Angeles Lakers, Forward, 37 years old (12/30/84)

  • Paul Millsap, Brooklyn Nets, Forward, 36 years old, (2/10/85)

  • P.J. Tucker, Miami Heat, Forward/Center, 36 years old (5/5/85)

  • Chris Paul, Phoenix Suns, Guard, 36 years old (5/6/85)

  • Taj Gibson, New York Knicks, Forward, 36 years old (6/24/85)

  • Trevor Ariza, Los Angeles Lakers, Forward, 36 years old (6/30/85)

  • LaMarcus Aldridge, Brooklyn Nets, Forward/Center, 36 years old (7/19/85)

NHL's Oldest Active Players

Zdeno Chara was considered old during his time with the Boston Bruins, but after Tom Brady's retirement, Chara is now one of only two players left playing the four major sports that was born in the 1970s.
Zdeno Chara was considered old during his time with the Boston Bruins, but after Tom Brady's retirement, Chara is now one of only two players left playing the four major sports that was born in the 1970s.
  • Zdeno Chara, New York Islanders, Defenseman, 44 years old (3/18/77)

  • Joe Thornton, Florida Panthers, Center, 42 years old (7/2/79)

  • Craig Anderson, Buffalo Sabres, Goalie, 40 years old (5/21/80)

  • Mike Smith, Edmonton Oiliers, Goalie, 39 years old (3/22/82)

  • Andy Greene, New York Islanders, Defenseman, 39 years old (10/30/82)

  • Jason Spezza, Toronto Maple Leafs, Center, 38 years old (6/13/83)

  • Duncan Keith, Edmonton Oilers, Defenseman, 38 years old (7/16/83)

  • Mark Giordano, Seattle Kraken, Defenseman, 38 years old (10/3/83)

  • Joe Pavelski, Dallas Stars, Center, 37 years old (7/11/84)

  • Zach Parise, New York Islanders, Left wing, 37 years old (7/28/84)

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Who are the oldest athletes in sports after Brady retires?