Demaryius Thomas and Peyton Manning were among the top 50 NFL players in merchandise sales for the first fiscal quarter of 2016. (Garrett Ellwood, Getty Images)
The Patriots’ allegedly deflated footballs have had no affect on Tom Brady’s popularity in retail stores. The New England quarterback was the retail champion on the in sales for the first quarter of the 2016 fiscal year.
The list, released by NFL Players Inc., the marketing and licensing arm of the NFLPA, is based on total sales of all officially licensed merchandise from March 1-May 31, 2015.
Peyton Manning, who following the third fiscal quarter of last year, fell four spots to No. 5, behind quarterbacks Colin Kaepernick (No. 2), Russell Wilson (3) and Aaron Rodgers (4). Demaryius Thomas, who last week with the Broncos, capped the list at No. 50.
Tim Tebow, who hasn’t played an NFL snap since January 2012 and isn’t a lock to play another this season with the Eagles, came in at No. 31.
NFL Players Inc.’s top 50 for Q1 of 2016 fiscal year:
1. Tom Brady, New England Patriots
2. Colin Kaepernick, San Francisco 49ers
3. Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks
4. Aaron Rodgers, Green Bay Packers
5. Peyton Manning, Denver Broncos
6. J.J. Watt, Houston Texans
7. Richard Sherman, Seattle Seahawks
8. Odell Beckham, Jr., New York Giants
9. Marcus Mariota, Tennessee Titans
10. Jameis Winston, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
11. DeMarco Murray, Philadelphia Eagles
12. Jimmy Graham, Seattle Seahawks
13. Joe Haden, Cleveland Browns
14. Rob Gronkowski, New England Patriots
15. LeSean McCoy, Buffalo Bills
16. Andrew Luck, Indianapolis Colts
17. Jordy Nelson, Green Bay Packers
18. Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys
19. Clay Matthews, Green Bay Packers
20. Navorro Bowman, San Francisco 49ers
21. Darrelle Revis, New York Jets
22. Ndamukong Suh, Miami Dolphins
23. Brandon Marshall, New York Jets
24. Marshawn Lynch, Seattle Seahawks
25. Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints
26. Khalil Mack, Oakland Raiders
27. Johnny Manziel, Cleveland Browns
28. Earl Thomas, Seattle Seahawks
29. Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers
30. Derek Carr, Oakland Raiders
31. Tim Tebow, Philadelphia Eagles
32. Jason Witten, Dallas Cowboys
33. Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions
34. Sammy Watkins, Buffalo Bills
35. Julian Edelman, New England Patriots
36. Tony Romo, Dallas Cowboys
37. Eddie Lacy, Green Bay Packers
38. Alshon Jeffery, Chicago Bears
39. Patrick Willis, San Francisco 49ers
40. Luke Kuechly, Carolina Panthers
41. Teddy Bridgewater, Minnesota Vikings
42. Kam Chancellor, Seattle Seahawks
43. Blake Bortles, Jacksonville Jaguars
44. Ryan Tannehill, Miami Dolphins
45. Joe Thomas, Cleveland Browns
46. Kevin White, Chicago Bears
47. Eric Reid, San Francisco 49ers
48. Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers
49. Carlos Hyde, San Francisco 49ers
50. Demaryius Thomas, Denver Broncos
