Football players are mostly hardened individuals who have suffered from injuries and concussions. If you ask a football player, they can probably give you a long list of those from head to toe. But they don’t only take a lot of physical trauma during practices and games.
They also have psychological stresses from the pressures of performing for the team and the fans.
As recently as 2019, the NFL has added psychologists to the support staff of the different teams in order to take care of the mental health of players. Now more than ever, football players deserve additional love and care from friends, family, and fans.
So, for those who aren’t part of the support staff, here are a few suggestions on how you can show your love and care through small, meaningful gifts. We even categorized them under different price ranges to make it easier for you to choose.
Gifts Under $20
Foot Care Deodorant

Every athlete needs this gift! Fights the smell from sweaty feet that could clear a room full of crowded people.
Best Reviewed Sports Socks

These socks have consistently shown up on my lists for best socks for athletes. Prevents blisters from forming and even helps with moisture and odor control. A simple gift, but an important one for your football player.
Football Decorated Hot/Cold Packs
Source: Hot and Cold Products
In case of an injury on the field, slap a hot/cold pack on it! Even better when they’re covered in footballs.
Football Coffee Mug

Football practice is nothing without a little caffeine pick me up for getting your head in the game.
Football Water Bottle Labels

They’ll never lose track of which water bottles belong to them again.
One Year Subscription to Official NFL Magazine
Source: NFL Magazine
Keep your football player in the know and purchase them a one-year subscription to NFL magazine. It’s the #1 resource for all things football with interviews, insider tips, and more.
Insulated Football Koozie

Keep your cold drink in this football-shaped koozie. Toss a drink across the room and discover the coolest way to serve drinks.
Football Key Chain
Source: The Supply Society
A flashy little key chain stocking stuffer for the football player in your life.
Lacenlock Elastic No Tie Sports Shoelaces
Source: Alibaba
An athlete shouldn’t have to stop in the middle of the game to deal with their untied shoelaces. These useful shoelace locks will solve all your football player’s shoe problems. No more tripping on the field!
Football Stress Ball

Football can be a stressful experience and every player should have a moment to de-stress. What better way to relax than squishing a football with one hand?
The Best Book About Football

Patriot Reign is the inspiring story of how the New England Patriot’s coach, Bill Belichick, took a losing team and turned it into one of the greatest football teams of all time. Any football player can get something important out of this book–even if they aren’t a Patriots fan.
Flexible Ice Pack

A flexible ice pack that wraps around the neck, leg, or shoulders. Help your athlete heal quickly with these professional-grade ice packs.
Stainless Steel Snack Container

Your football player will be delighted to have a leak-free, sturdy snack container. It’s important to keep your energy up during a game and stay well-fed. Easy to carry around and won’t make your snacks soggy when there’s some rain.
Gifts Under $50
Electric Football Game

Your football player will get a real kick out of this one. Fun game from Red Zone where you get to be the coach for a change and call the plays.
Dream Big Football Three Print Set Decor

Help your football player dream BIG with this inspirational trio of prints. You can customize them with any color scheme. Perfect addition to any room in the house.
The Sideline Glove

Get your athlete the world’s best sideline glove for the most warmth and ultimate dexterity. Only the winner wears this glove. Bring on the cold football games!
Football Fanny Pack

What football player wouldn’t want to sport this fashionable fanny pack? The perfect container for an athlete’s personal items.
Travel Cooler for Water and Vitamin Drinks

A travel cooler that will actually keep the water cold. Your athlete can keep their drinks cold during those hot game days.
Eat Sleep Football Shower Curtain
Source: Cafe Press
Yep. That should pretty much sum it up. A good reminder of their life motto every time they step in the shower.
Personalized Football Star Frame

Personalized great gift for a football star. A good reminder of their athletic achievements. Stylish frame comes in multiple colors.
Football Team Hoodie

Comfortable hoodie with your player’s favorite football team on it. There are a variety of team logos and styles available ranging from a light cotton hoodie to a thermally insulated one.
Football Towel

Your football player can hit the beach with confidence in this towel. Good quality absorbent material.
Genuine Leather Football Wallet

Made from real football leather material, this stylish wallet is something every great NFL player would be proud to carry their millions around in. Hand-stitched and lots of pockets for maximum credit card storage.
Recovery Sleeve With Ice Pack

Help your athlete heal after an injury on the field. A functional gift that has both heating and cooling abilities. Designed to speed up the recovery process for football athletes who take big physical tolls.
Personalized Football Pillow

A football player’s favorite pillow to cuddle up with on the couch. Can be personalized with their name, number, and team name.
Gifts Under $100
Wooden Football Bookends
Source: Etsy
Even an athlete has time to read books every now and then. Surprise your football player with these adorable bookends. Custom made from cherry and solid walnut wood.
Faith, Family, Friends, and Football Rustic Home Decor
Source: Etsy
A decorative reminder of the 4 essential things in your football player’s life. Hand-painted with a variety of wood stain options.
A Duffel Bag That Trumps All Duffels

A large training bag that will fit everything your athlete needs for practice or away games. Built to last and comfortable to carry around.
Personal Power Smoothie and Juice Blender
Source: Walmart
An athlete needs to eat healthy in order to master their craft. This blender will inspire them to get into the habit of eating smoothies and juices to bulk up with.
Hand-Crafted Wooden American Football Mantelpiece
Source: Yihe Woodcraft
A great decorative gift for your hard-working football player. Walnut hand-crafted football pieces that they can proudly display on their desk, on a mantelpiece, or any surface that people can admire it on.
NCAA Football Game for Playstation 3

Football players can even dominate the game in virtual reality. One of the last college football video games to be made since copyright infringement restrictions has changed things.
Football Sport Rosary

A perfect gift for the spiritual football player. High-quality rosary made with Swarovski crystals and handmade ceramic footballs.
Football Play Poster

Treat your athlete to an inspirational piece of football art. A large photograph printed on canvas and stretched on a frame. Choose a still of their favorite moment in football history that could be hanging in their apartment as a constant reminder of what to aspire to.
Custom Made Football With Picture
Source: Etsy
A great commemorative gift for any football player. Pictures printed on regulation standard footballs so they could even play a game with it if they wanted!
Football Throw Blanket
Source: Etsy
Throw blanket decorated with footballs. Soft, comfortable, and a perfect gift for your athlete to cuddle up with.
Fitness Oxygen Mask

A training mask ideal for football players. Helps improve sports performance by creating lung resistance that helps build cardio endurance over time.
Customizable Football Pendant Necklace
Source: Etsy
A personalized football number pendant that comes in a variety of metals. A sentimental gift for your athlete to cherish for years to come.
Smart Ball Pump

An electronic handheld pump to deflate or inflate footballs with (or any sports ball). During practices, your athlete will feel rest assured knowing that they have their ball perfectly inflated. One less thing to worry about while perfecting the game!
Gift Basket for The Athlete in Your Life

A gift basket stuffed with high protein snacks to keep your football player happy, healthy, and strong. From Lara bars to organic pasta sauce, it’s a basket full of delicious muscle-loving goodies.
Gifts Under $200
SoundSport Wireless Headphones

The perfect headphones for practice. Wireless and no-mess using Bluetooth capabilities. Your football player will be able to get properly hyped for the game!
Endurance Gym Bag from OGIO

A traveling gym bag with wheels specifically designed for the athlete. Has multiple compartments to fit all gear. Water-resistant and chic. Truly one of the best gift ideas for football players.
Heavy Duty Inversion Table

Help your athlete take their physical health to the next level with a durable inversion table. There are lots of great things an inversion table can do for you including helping with back pain and spinal alignment. There’s no doubt that a football player can get some great use out of this gift.
Nike Air Zoom Pegasus Running Shoe

A football player doesn’t just exercise on the field. Running is an essential part of building the skills they need for the game. This is one of the highest-rated running shoes out there. Treat your athlete to a pair this year!
Waterproof GPS Sports Watch

A watch made just for athletic people. It even has a heart rate monitor and accurate running tracking so your athlete can measure their endurance. This is a high-quality, affordable watch that is scratch-resistant and weatherproof.
Sterling Silver Football Cufflinks

Every athlete deserves to get dressed up every once in a while. These football cufflinks are the real deal and perfect for a fancy occasion.
Customized Football Lamp
Source: Etsy
Custom sports team lamps. Can’t beat a great gift like that! Your athlete will love placing their team’s lamp next to their bedside.