What is Pro Football Reference?
Pro Football Reference is the statistical record of professional football: complete player, team, game and season data for the NFL (and its predecessor leagues) back to 1920, published by Sports Reference LLC of Philadelphia alongside its baseball, basketball and college sports references.[1] [2]
How is it compiled?
From official league statistics and gamebooks, standardized and cross-indexed — every career page carries games, starts, statistics, draft position, honors and transactions, with advanced metrics layered on the official record.[1]
Why does it matter?
It is the reference the sport itself uses — cited daily by broadcasters and writers — and the public, dated documentation of any professional player's career.[1] [2]
References
- Pro Football Reference — official site. Accessed August 2026.
- Sports Reference — About. Accessed August 2026.