Originally Posted by
Dwinsgames
Ernest Givins -5'9"-170 ( 8 pounds difference but a bit taller )
Rondale Moore, WR – 5 feet 7 inches
Mark McMillan ...McMillian's career might not receive enough attention. Despite playing in an era in which the big-bodied wide receiver became commonplace, the 5-foot-7, 154-pound cornerback lasted eight seasons and spent most of that time as a starter. "Mighty Mouse" started 81 games for the Eagles, Saints, Chiefs, and 49ers
Stephen Baker the touchdown maker 5'8-160 helped the G-Men win the SB with a TD catch ..speaking of the Giants they seemed to love folks closer to midgets than Giants ,,, Joe Morris and Dave Megget come to mind along with Baker granted Megget and Morris had some weight on them for their short stature
Noland Smith ( no not the Linebacker drafted by the Eagles in 2023 that was Nolan Smith ) "Super Gnat," the 5-foot-5, 154-pound Smith became a return weapon in Kansas City. A sixth-round pick out of Tennessee State, Smith led the AFL in kick-return yards as a rookie in 1967. Smith's 106-yard return in 1967 remains a Chiefs record, and his career 26.1 yards per kick return ranks 26th in NFL history.
Gerald McNeil "the ice cube" McNeil notched two return TDs as a Browns rookie in 1986. McNeil seldom played receiver, with his 5-foot-7, 145-pound frame interfering, but the Ice Cube a nickname that spawned shortly after William Perry's "The Refrigerator" moniker -- made the 1987 Pro Bowl. McNeil played four Browns seasons, suiting up for three AFC title games
Jermaine Lewis 5'7-180 pound return man and WR
Richard Johnson 5'9"-175
Johnson's best work came in the USFL, and he started for just two NFL seasons. But he thrived in the rival league and helped introduce the NFL to the Run and Shoot offense. Playing under Run and Shoot godfather Mouse Davis with the Houston Gamblers, Johnson combined for a staggering 218 catches, 2,839 yards, and 29 TDs in two seasons. His 115 grabs in 1984 set a pro football record, but the USFL folding led Johnson to a IBM as a programmer. As Lions OC in 1989, Davis summoned his 5-7 pupil. Despite nearly three years away, Johnson dropped a 1,000-yard season in '89. This included a 248-yard game against the Saints.
these are in addition to others that I already mentioned such as but not limited to Dexter McCluster ....sure they are not "common"but neither are guys like the Refrigerator Perry or Ngatta in the way he moved at his size and perhaps even Bettis feet being so quick for a man of his size ... before those guys came along anyone that fantasized about having a player with those specific skill sets at that size was a tin foil hat wearer yet they did eventually happen there are 1sts for everything after that its a who's the next " insert players name here" but there are plenty of examples of smaller guys succeeding in the league and as everyone knows SPEED KILLS and Austin has that in spades , its hard to hurt what ya cant hit or hit cleanly