There is no single pair called “the brothers that play football.” Many siblings have played the sport, including NFL stars Peyton and Eli Manning, Jason and Travis Kelce, and soccer standouts Kolo and Yaya Touré.
The answer depends partly on what you mean by football: American football or association football, also called soccer in the United States. This article introduces well-known brothers in both sports, explains what made several pairs notable, and shows how to tell whether siblings played together on the same team or simply competed in the same sport.
Who are the brothers that play football in the NFL?
Some of the best-known brothers in American football include Peyton and Eli Manning, Jason and Travis Kelce, Joey and Nick Bosa, and the Watt brothers: J.J., T.J., and Derek. They all come from football families, but their careers and positions differ. Some shared a team or a field; others built their reputations with separate clubs.
The phrase “brothers that play football” can point to different families depending on the league, country, and era. There is no official list of all football-playing brothers. The examples below are prominent pairs and groups, not a complete record of every sibling who has played professionally.
Well-known American football brothers
- Peyton and Eli Manning: Both were star NFL quarterbacks and Super Bowl champions. Peyton played most of his career with the Indianapolis Colts before finishing with the Denver Broncos. Eli spent his entire NFL career with the New York Giants. They are sons of former NFL quarterback Archie Manning.
- Jason and Travis Kelce: Jason, a center, played for the Philadelphia Eagles and retired after the 2023 season. Travis, a tight end, has played for the Kansas City Chiefs. The brothers faced each other in Super Bowl LVII, with Travis’s Chiefs defeating Jason’s Eagles.
- J.J., T.J., and Derek Watt: All three brothers played in the NFL. J.J. was a defensive end, T.J. is an outside linebacker, and Derek played fullback. J.J. and T.J. have both earned major individual honors, while Derek’s role focused on blocking and special teams.
- Joey and Nick Bosa: Both became NFL defensive ends after playing college football at Ohio State. Joey was drafted by the Los Angeles Chargers, while Nick was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers. Their father, John Bosa, also played in the NFL.
- Devin and Jason McCourty: The twin brothers played defensive back in the NFL. They were teammates with the New England Patriots and won a Super Bowl together. Their shared position and time on the same team make them a frequently cited sibling pair.
- Ronde and Tiki Barber: The twin brothers had long NFL careers in different roles. Ronde played cornerback for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, while Tiki played running back for the New York Giants. They did not play the same position, even though both became prominent players.
These examples also show why “football brothers” does not always mean brothers who played together. Siblings can play in different positions, on rival teams, or in different eras. A family connection is not the same thing as a shared team career.
Famous brothers in soccer
In many countries, “football” means soccer. If that is the sport you have in mind, several well-known brother pairs have played at the highest levels. Some represented the same national team or club, while others competed for different teams or countries.
- Kolo and Yaya Touré: The Ivorian brothers both played for Manchester City and represented Ivory Coast. Kolo was a defender, while Yaya was a midfielder. They also played together at other clubs during their careers.
- Gary and Phil Neville: The English brothers were long-time Manchester United players and won major honors with the club. Gary was a right back, and Phil played across defense and midfield. Both also represented England.
- Frank and Ronald de Boer: The Dutch twins played together for Ajax and the Netherlands. Both were versatile defenders who could also contribute in midfield. Their careers included time at several European clubs.
- Eden and Thorgan Hazard: The Belgian brothers both played professionally and represented Belgium. Eden became known as an attacking player, while Thorgan developed his career at clubs in Belgium, Germany, and elsewhere.
- Jude and Jobe Bellingham: The English brothers both became professional players. Jude rose to prominence at Borussia Dortmund and Real Madrid, while Jobe has built his own career in English football. Their paths are distinct, so they should not be assumed to have played together just because they are siblings.
- Xabi and Mikel Alonso: The Spanish brothers both played professionally. Xabi became an internationally recognized midfielder, while Mikel had a separate career in Spanish football.
Soccer provides many more examples, including brothers who play in different divisions and countries. A player may also have a famous sibling without having shared a club, national team, or tournament with that sibling.
How the best-known brother pairs compare
This table helps distinguish popular examples by sport, role, and the reason fans often recognize them. It is not a ranking, and it does not mean every pair played together.
| Brothers | Sport | Positions or roles | Best known for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Peyton and Eli Manning | American football | Quarterbacks | Separate NFL careers and Super Bowl wins |
| Jason and Travis Kelce | American football | Center and tight end | Opposing teams in Super Bowl LVII |
| J.J., T.J., and Derek Watt | American football | Defensive end, linebacker, fullback | Three brothers with NFL careers |
| Joey and Nick Bosa | American football | Defensive ends | Elite defensive careers and Ohio State connection |
| Kolo and Yaya Touré | Soccer | Defender and midfielder | Playing for Manchester City and Ivory Coast |
| Gary and Phil Neville | Soccer | Defender and versatile defender/midfielder | Manchester United and England careers |
| Frank and Ronald de Boer | Soccer | Defenders | Twin brothers who played together for Ajax and the Netherlands |
What makes a pair of football-playing brothers notable?
Fans often remember sibling pairs for one of three reasons: they both reached the professional level, they played together, or they faced each other in an important game. Those are different accomplishments. Brothers can be successful in the same sport without sharing a roster or competing directly against each other.
Playing for the same team
When brothers are teammates, they may share a club, school, or national team. That connection can make their careers easier to follow, but it does not mean they had the same role. The Touré brothers, for example, played different positions for Manchester City. Gary and Phil Neville also had different responsibilities at Manchester United.
To check whether a pair actually played together, look at the dates of their careers and the team rosters for those seasons. A brother may have joined a club after the other left, even if both are strongly associated with that team.
Playing against each other
Siblings can also meet as opponents. The Kelce brothers’ Super Bowl matchup is a clear example: Jason’s Eagles and Travis’s Chiefs reached the same championship game. Games like this are unusual because brothers must reach the same level at the same time and play for teams that meet in a major contest.
In soccer, brothers may face each other in club competition or represent different national teams. Shared family ties do not guarantee that they will play on the same side. Nationality, eligibility, club transfers, and career timing all shape where a player competes.
Playing different positions
Brothers do not need to share a position to be known as football players. In American football, one sibling might play offense while another plays defense. In soccer, one may be a defender and another an attacking midfielder. Their different skills can help explain why their careers took separate paths.
American football or soccer: Which answer do you mean?
The word “football” has different meanings around the world. In the United States, it usually means American football. In much of Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America, it usually means soccer. The most useful answer depends on your location or the league you are asking about.
| If you mean… | Good examples | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| American football | Manning, Kelce, Watt, Bosa, and McCourty brothers | They played in the NFL, though some played on different teams or in different years. |
| Soccer | Touré, Neville, de Boer, Hazard, and Bellingham brothers | Some shared clubs or national teams; others developed separate careers. |
| Football at any level | Professional, college, youth, and amateur siblings | Many brothers play, but only a small number become widely known. |
A common mix-up is treating “football” as if it names one sport everywhere. If you are asking about a particular league, country, team, or player, include that detail. For example, “Which brothers played for the Kansas City Chiefs?” has a narrower answer than “Who are brothers that play football?”
How to find the brothers you are looking for
If a name is missing, use a few details to narrow the search. This is especially helpful because the same last name can belong to unrelated players, and online lists sometimes combine American football and soccer without making the distinction clear.
- Name the sport or league. Specify the NFL, college football, or soccer. A league name removes much of the ambiguity.
- Add a team or country. A team such as the New York Giants, or a national side such as Ivory Coast, can narrow the answer quickly.
- Check the relationship. Reliable team biographies and player profiles usually state family relationships. Do not assume two players are brothers because they share a surname.
- Compare seasons or career dates. This confirms whether they played together, faced each other, or competed in separate eras.
- Confirm each player’s role. Position details can help distinguish siblings and explain why one is more familiar to fans.
The practical point many quick lists miss is that “brothers who play football” is not the same as “brothers who play on the same team.” If you need a specific answer for a quiz, article, or conversation, establish the sport and whether the question asks for siblings who are professionals, teammates, or opponents.
Do brothers usually play on the same team?
No. Brothers may play on the same team, but they often have separate careers. Teams recruit players based on ability, position needs, timing, and other roster factors, so a family relationship alone does not put siblings together.
Even when brothers are teammates, their careers may overlap for only a short period. One could move to another club, retire, or play in a different league. Conversely, two brothers may become famous for facing each other rather than joining forces.
Are all famous football brothers professional players?
No. Some widely known pairs have both played professionally, but many siblings play at school, college, or recreational levels without becoming public figures. Lists of famous brothers focus on players with substantial media coverage, not every family with two athletes.
Also, a brother’s fame can come from another sport or public role. Check that both siblings actually played the football code you mean before including them in a list. That small check prevents a common error: confusing relatives who are athletes with brothers who played the same sport.
The brothers people most often name include the Mannings, Kelces, Watts, and Bosas in American football, along with the Touré and Neville brothers in soccer. Some played together, while others had separate careers or met as opponents.
For the clearest answer to “who are the brothers that play football,” first specify American football or soccer, then name a league, team, or country. That gives you a relevant list instead of mixing different sports and career histories.