by Kevin Wood

Created on: August 20, 2010

The NFL is known for paying the best players large salaries to keep the talent on the team. Besides the earnings from the team these talented individuals pull in large sums of money from endorsements.

The 15th highest paid player in the NFL is line backer DeMarcus Ware. Ware is making $6.8 million for the season, with $0.8 million coming from endorsements. Ware made the Sports Illustrated fortune 50 list coming in 49th.

New York Jet’s quarterback Mark Sanchez has 14th place, making $16.4 million and $0.5 million from endorsements. He placed 48th on the forture 50 list.

13th place is held by Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Tyson Jackson. He is making $18.1 million with no endorsements. He holds 42nd place on the fortune 50 list.

Washington Redskins cornerback DeAngelo Hall is in 12th place making $18.5 million, with no endorsements. He is seated 40th on the fortune 50 list.

The 11th highest paid NFL player is New England Patriots nose tackle Vince Wilfork. He is making $18.9 million with no endorsements. He is 38th on the fortune 50 list.

10th place belongs to the Chicago Bears defensive end Julius peppers. He is raking in $20 million with no endorsements. 36th place on the fortune 50 list is his.

Right tackle Jason Smith of the Saint Louis Rams is in 9th place making $20.5 million with no endorsements. He is placed 33rd on the fortune 50 list.

Taking 8th place on the list is Oakland Raiders wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bey. He is making $21.4 million with no endorsements, and is 28th on the fortune 50 list.

7th place belongs to the Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre. He is making $17 million, and receiving $7 million from endorsements. He holds 21st place on the fortune 50 list.

6th on the list is the Washington Redskins defensive linemen Albert Haynesworth. He is making $24.6 million, and $0.1 million from endorsements. He holds 20th place on the fortune 50 list.

Baltimore Ravens line backer Terrell Suggs is in 5th place making $24.9 million, with no endorsement, and is 19th on the fortune 50 list.

4th place belongs to San Diego Chargers quarterback Phillip Rivers.  He is making $25.6 million and $0.2 million in endorsements. He is 17th on the fortune 50 list.

3rd on the list is New York Giants quarterback Eli Manning. He is making $19.5 million and has $7 million in endorsements. He is tied for 13th on the fortune 50 list.

2nd place in held by Detroit Loins quarterback Matthew Stafford. He is making $26.9 million, with $0.7 million in endorsements. He is 11th on the fortune 50 list.

The highest paid player in the NFL for the 2010-2011 season is the Indianapolis Colts quarterback Payton Manning. He is making $15.8 million and $15 million from endorsements.

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