Forget Gatorade®! NFL® Stars Are Fueling up on This Surprising Childhood Snack
For NFL® players, performance on the field demands peak physical conditioning, and a lot of that is fueled by strict diets and specialized nutrition plans. But one snack has managed to sneak into the diets of some of the league's biggest athletes: Uncrustables®. These individually packaged, crustless peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, beloved by kids across the country, have found their way into the hands of football giants. So, how did a nostalgic lunchbox treat become the NFL's favorite snack?
A Surprising Locker Room Staple
The Athletic recently revealed that NFL teams are consuming Uncrustables at an astounding rate. Players from all over the league are reaching for these circular snacks for a quick energy boost between meals, before practice, or as a satisfying bite post-workout. It's a trend that Kansas City Chiefs star Travis Kelce has openly embraced, mentioning on his podcast, "New Heights," that he eats Uncrustables "probably more than anything else in the world."
Yet, despite Kelce's love for them, it's not the Chiefs who lead the league in Uncrustable consumption. That title goes to the Denver Broncos, who reportedly consume an impressive 700 Uncrustables weekly — more than twice the amount of any other NFL team.
Top 10 Uncrustable-Consuming NFL Teams
So, who else is tearing through these gooey, peanut-buttery snacks? Here's a breakdown of the NFL's top 10 Uncrustable-eating teams:
- Denver Broncos® — 700 Uncrustables per week
- Seattle Seahawks® — 320 Uncrustables per week
- Jacksonville Jaguars® — 315 Uncrustables per week
- Miami Dolphins® — 300 Uncrustables per week
- Atlanta Falcons® — 250 Uncrustables per week
- Pittsburgh Steelers® — 225 Uncrustables per week
- Arizona Cardinals® — 200 Uncrustables per week
- Minnesota Vikings® — 200 Uncrustables per week
- Los Angeles Chargers® — 200 Uncrustables per week
- Baltimore Ravens® — 150 Uncrustables per week
In total, the league consumes an estimated 80,000 Uncrustables each year. Despite these high numbers, eight teams declined to participate in The Athletic's report, meaning the total could be much higher. Whether they prefer making their own sandwiches or just don't want to share their PB&J stats, the data still highlights a surprising trend across the NFL.
Denver Broncos: The Uncrustable Kings of the NFL
The Broncos have earned the unofficial title of the NFL's top Uncrustable fans. But how did they end up consuming such a vast amount? Broncos cornerback Riley Moss and several teammates believe the weekly total might be even higher than reported. For Broncos players, Uncrustables are more than just a snack; they're a team favorite.
Curiously, though, some players express disbelief that their locker room could be home to such insatiable consumption. Defensive end Zach Allen joked that there might be someone behind the scenes — "an IT guy upstairs" — who's quietly taking down boxes of Uncrustables, as reported by The Denver Post. Receiver Michael Bandy added with a laugh, "Somebody is eating them … they keep disappearing."
Why NFL Players Love Uncrustables
The Broncos' love for Uncrustables might seem surprising, but there's a practical reason for it. Uncrustables are quick, easy to eat, and offer a balance of protein and carbs that's great for fueling high-energy athletes. Broncos players often reach for them between practices or meetings, enjoying the nostalgic taste of the PB&J combination they grew up with.
Cornerback Pat Surtain II, one of the Broncos' top Uncrustable fans, said he often grabs two a day, praising the snack's "consistency of the peanut butter with that jelly filling in the middle," according to The Denver Post. For players like Surtain, it's not just about the taste — it's the convenience and simplicity that make Uncrustables a staple in their diet.
The Snack That Scores Big
The popularity of Uncrustables within the NFL may raise some eyebrows, but it's clear these sandwiches have found their place in locker rooms across the country. While sports science and nutritionists might not endorse Uncrustables, players appreciate the easy energy boost the snack provides. And for the Denver Broncos, who seem to be on an Uncrustables spree, this simple PB&J could very well be the snack that fuels their season.
References: These NFL teams eat the most Uncrustables in a week, report finds | Renck: X's and O's and PB&Js? Who are the Broncos devouring all The Uncrustables?
