Key Takeaways:
- Several Super Bowl MVPs like Joe Flacco and Eli Manning didn't buy their cars—they won Chevrolet Corvette Stingrays as rewards for their championship performances.
- Cam Newton's 1970 Oldsmobile 442 Cutlass is plated in 24-karat gold with diamond-stitched seats and a removable Panthers logo grill in case he's traded.
- Marcell Dareus customized his Ferrari 430 with a red velvet wrap and gold Savini Wheels, earning it the nickname "Fur-rari."
- Tom Brady's car collection includes a $165,000 Audi R8 capable of 195 mph, plus a Range Rover, Jeep Grand Cherokee, and Rolls Royce Phantom.
- Russell Wilson chose a classic 1959 MG MGA Roadster—a vintage British car with just 72 horsepower—for date nights with his wife Ciara.
With endless reasons why football is loved by Americans, it is not surprising that the Super Bowl is one of the most anticipated and watched sporting event of the year with record breaking viewership just last year for Super Bowl 50. NFL players and MVPs are highly trained athletes, and some are among the highest paid athletes out there. With multi-million dollar annual salaries, NFL stars can afford to spend a little – or, in some cases, a lot – on their cars.
In many cases, NFL pros don’t evehave to buy their cars. MVPs like Eli Manning, Tom Brady, and Cam Newton have won their cars. Now that’s one way to congratulate an athlete.
Just what do some of the top NFL players drive? Let’s find out!
#18 – A.J. Green and His 2011 Porsche Panamera
A.J. Green is currently wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals and, at the top of his game, he’s making a substantial mark during his NFL career. His athleticism has been greatly rewarded and his last year’s earning are estimated to be $32.8 million.
With all that cash, A.J. is the owner of the very luxurious and very fast 2011 Porsche Panamera 4S. The AWD, 5-door hatchback of luxury sports car houses a DOHC 32-valve V8 engine, coupled with an automatic, 7-speed dual-clutch transmission that comes with an optional manual shifting mode, giving drivers the best of both worlds. As far as speed goes, the 4S can takes off from 0-60 mph in 4.2 seconds and maxes out at 175 mph. While the look of this Panamera might be a bit different, the German car still holds true to the same level of excellence associate with Porsche. When A.J. Green picked up his 4S, the base price was $96,175.
#99 – Marcell Dareus and His ‘Fur-rari’ F430
Marcell Dareus, a defensive tackle for the Buffalo Bills, was one of the top 100 highest paid celebrities in 2016, having earned an estimated $36 million. When he was drafted third back in 2011, he celebrated by buying himself a Ferrari 430.
But after owning the vehicle for years, Marcell decided to change things up and customize his Ferrari 430. He hired Young Money Motors to add a custom red velvet wrap. Not only does his 430 turn heads, but it looks so soft that people might just want to go up and pet it! Adding to the uniqueness, Marcell also upgraded to gold Savini Wheels; really making it his own. He now calls it his ‘Fur-rari’.
#3 – Russell Wilson and His 1959 MG MGA Roa
Pulling out all the stops, Wilson took his wife Ciara out for a date night in this classic car. Known in the 1960s as one of the fastest British cars with a factory declared top speed of 93 mph and boasts 72 hp. The 1959 MG MGA is a 2-door roadster with a 4-speed manual gearbox and RWD.
Russell even tweeted about his vintage car:
Yes, I agree with Russell. Even if it didn’t start right away, going on a date night in this car would definitely earn brownie points in my book!
#12 – Tom Brady’s Audi R8
With the help of Tom Brady, the New England Patriots have made it to Super Bowl LI against the Atlanta Falcons. Congrats to both teams and good luck. Let the best team win! It will be an exciting game with Tom Brady and Falcons’ starting quarterback, #16 Matt Ryan.
As for Tom Brady, he has proven himself to be a top dog in the NFL. The quarterback has earned his millions several times over and currently brings in $44 million annually. So what kind of car does Brady buy with his millions? A very expensive, very red Audi R8, of course!
The 2011 Audi R8 is amazing not only because it is bright red, but also because its performance and power. Stocked with a 5.2-liter, 10 cylinder engine paired with a 6-speed manual transmission gives it an exceptional top speed of 195 mph, is capability of hitting 0-60 in as little as 3.7 seconds, and has 525 bhp @ 8000 rpm. The Audi R8’s base price is estimated to be $165,000. But that’s nothing to Mr. Tom Brady.
Along with his Audi R8, Tom also owns a Ranger Rover, a Jeep Grand Cherokee, and a Rolls Royce Phantom.
#5 – Joe Flacco and His 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray
Joe Flacco, known as Joe Cool, makes his millions as a quarterback for the Baltimore Ravens. Not only is Flacco #53 on Forbes list of Top 100 Celebrity Earnings of 2016, he is also the 14th highest paid athlete in the world as of last year. His current estimated annual income is $44.5 million.
Knowing this, one can only imagine what kind of cars he could afford. But in this case, after being named the MVP for Super Bowl XLVII, Joe won his 2014 Chevy Corvette Stingray. The 2014 model, and seventh generation, Corvette was completely redesigned and equipped with a new 6.2-liter V8 engine capable of 450 hp. It can go from 0-60 mph in a tested 4.1 seconds. While the cost of the 2014 Chevy Corvette is only around $50,000, it is still an awesome car to be given after winning the Super Bowl!
While he was awarded for his performance at Super Bowl XLVII, the same can’t be said for his recent performance as a car salesman in this commercial:
Worth mentioning is that previous to Flacco winning MVP, Eli Manning too won MVP and his very own Corvette in 2012 for Super Bowl XLVI.
#1 – Cam Newton’s Custom ‘Goldsmobile’
Cam Newton is ranked as #37 on Forbes Top Paid Celebrities for 2016 and holds his place in NFL as the star and starting quarterback for the Carolina Panthers. Making $51 million annually, he is at the top of his game.
You thought you’d seen it all with the red velvet wrapped ‘Fur-rari’, but with Cam’s 1970 Oldsmobile 442 Cutlass is completely plated in gold. So now it is safe to say you’ve seen everything. Thanks to Monster Customs, Cam gets to drive around in a ‘Goldsmobile’. This is no joke, the customized Olds is actually plated in 24 karat gold and his seats have diamond stitching. He also had a custom front grill bolted on with the Panthers logo with his C1N signature on the left side. While he is a proud Panther, the grill is bolted on in case he is drafted to another team. To top it all off, the wheels are gold plated and painted to match.
While the price was not revealed, it is definitely worth its weight in gold – literally.
If you loved these NFL players’ cars, there are more cars driven by pro athletes that will blow you away. Check out NBA Players Cars: The 5 Most Expensive for more!
Gold-plated exteriors, velvet wraps, diamond-stitched interiors—when you're pulling in $50 million annually, vehicles become art projects. The rest of us operate differently. That truck payment doesn't disappear when mud season arrives or when the dog claims the backseat as territory. NFL stars replace cars like cleats; working professionals make purchases last. Outfitting your ride with tough car seat covers won't land you on Forbes, but it'll keep your investment intact long after the next Super Bowl fades from memory.
FAQs
1. Do NFL players actually drive their own cars or is it mostly for show?
Many genuinely drive their collections—Russell Wilson tweeted about his vintage MG not starting on date night, proving these aren't just garage trophies. However, game days and public appearances often involve team transportation or security considerations. The cars represent personal expression and reward for grueling careers, whether driven daily or reserved for special occasions.
2. Why do Super Bowl MVPs receive cars as prizes?
Automakers sponsor the award as premium advertising—millions watch the MVP accept keys to a new vehicle. The tradition generates massive brand exposure while rewarding athletic excellence. Chevrolet has famously provided Corvettes to multiple Super Bowl MVPs, creating memorable moments that associate their brand with championship performance.
3. How do athletes protect custom vehicles worth hundreds of thousands?
Climate-controlled storage, dedicated detailers, and limited driving preserve value on show cars like Cam Newton's gold-plated Oldsmobile. Interestingly, many athletes maintain separate daily drivers for practical use. Regular folks apply the same logic differently—protecting work vehicles with heavy-duty truck seat covers keeps daily drivers functional without requiring a backup fleet.
4. Are vintage cars like Russell Wilson's MG practical choices for millionaires?
Vintage vehicles offer character and nostalgia that modern supercars can't replicate. Wilson's 1959 MG creates date-night romance no Ferrari matches. Many collectors balance modern performance machines with classic models that connect to automotive history. Practicality matters less when you can afford multiple vehicles for different purposes and moods.
5. What happens to these custom cars when players retire or change teams?
Some players sell collections to fund post-career ventures; others maintain prized vehicles indefinitely. Cam Newton's bolted-on Panthers grill shows awareness that team affiliations change. Highly customized vehicles often depreciate since modifications reflect personal taste rather than broad appeal—though celebrity provenance occasionally increases collector interest despite unconventional choices.
