| 100% | SIMPSON | 7 | O J —, former American football running back and actor nicknamed The Juice |
| 39% | TUGGLE | 6 | Jessie ___, former American football linebacker who played for Atlanta Falcons and was nicknamed "The Hammer" |
| 35% | HARDY | 5 | ___ Nickerson, former American football linebacker who played for Tampa Bay Buccaneers and was nicknamed "Hardware" |
| 35% | CHRIS | 5 | ___ Borland, former American football linebacker who played for San Francisco 49ers and was nicknamed "Pit Bull" |
| 33% | ARCHIEMANNING | 13 | Former American football quarterback who is the father of Peyton and Eli, both of whom have won two Super Bowls: 2 wds. |
| 32% | BRIANDAWKINS | 12 | Former American football safety who played 13 seasons with the Philadelphia Eagles and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018: 2 wds |
| 31% | KEMP | 4 | Jack ___, former American football player and politician |
| 31% | TERRELLOWENS | 12 | Former American football wide receiver who played seven seasons for the San Francisco 49ers and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018: 2 wds |
| 31% | BRIANURLACHER | 13 | Former American football linebacker who played his entire 13-year career for the Chicago Bears and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2018: 2 wds |
| 30% | FLORES | 6 | Tom ___, American former football player who won the Super Bowl as a player, assistant coach, and head coach |
| 30% | MARSHALLFAULK | 13 | Former Rams running back named the AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year for 1999, 2000, and 2001: 2 wds. |
| 29% | DONOVAN | 7 | With 40-Across, 30-Across/48-Across running back who rushed for 104 yards and two touchdowns in the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship |
| 29% | BLAKECORUM | 10 | 30-Across/48-Across running back who led all rushers with 134 yards and two touchdowns in the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship (2 wds.) |
| 29% | HARRISON | 8 | The Fugitive and Blade Runner actor, __ Ford |
| 28% | GAIN | 4 | Running back's progress on the football field |
| 28% | AKINS | 5 | Actor Claude of "B. J. and the Bear" |
| 27% | DIGGS | 5 | Actor Taye of the TV shows "Private Practice" and "All American" |
| 27% | AROD | 4 | Nickname of the former Yankee who once dated J.Lo: Hyph. |
| 26% | RUSHING | 7 | Football running back stat |
| 26% | DAN | 3 | Former Dolphins quarterback Marino in the College and Pro Football Halls of Fame |
| 26% | JAMAL | 5 | Former Ravens and Browns running back ___ Lewis |
| 26% | WES | 3 | Former American football player ___ Welker |
| 26% | RUSHERS | 7 | Running backs and defensive ends |
| 26% | LIBERATOR | 9 | The —, nickname of Irish and Venezuelan political leaders Daniel O'Connell and Simon Bolivar |
| 26% | IRVIN | 5 | Michael ___, retired American football player nicknamed "The Playmaker" |
| 26% | EDGERRINJAMES | 13 | Colts/Cardinals/Seahawks running back in the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2020: 2 wds. |
| 25% | LADAINIAN | 9 | With 41-Across, running back who holds the single-season NFL touchdown record and wore number 21 |
| 25% | RASHAD | 6 | Former NFL running back Jennings who won "Dancing With the Stars" in 2017 |
| 25% | GALESAYERS | 10 | '60s-'70s Chicago Bears running back who is the youngest inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame |
| 25% | CHRIS | 5 | ___ O'Donnell, actor who portrayed Ernest Hemingway in the 1996 film "In Love and War" |