Halloween and football go hand-in-hand. As staples of the autumn season, Spirit Halloween Superstores open up shop, candy buckets are filled, costumes come out and the NFL campaign begins to intensify.
The athletes that perpetuate the league are known to engage in the holiday’s festive cosplay. In 2024, Halloween falls between Week 8 and Week 9, which gave the players several different opportunities to showcase their creativity.
These are the five best costumes I saw for NFL Halloween 2024.
San Francisco 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey
The Tin Man
San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey has yet to play a snap through eight weeks in 2024 but he appears close to returning. The reigning Offensive Player of the Year took a break from rehab to cosplay as the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz while his wife, Olivia Culpo, shined beautifully as Dorothy Gale. Ironically, the Tin Man needs a heart and CMC is known to play with plenty of that. However, something about his demeanor in this suit gives me Ralphie vibes from A Christmas Story—still an iconic look, though!
Detroit Lions QB Jared Goff
Ricky Bobby
Although Jared Goff didn’t jump into character until after last Sunday’s victory versus the Tennessee Titans, the Detroit Lions quarterback popped up later that night at his team’s Halloween party to portray fictitious NASCAR driver Ricky Bobby. Naturally, Jared’s wife, model Christen Harper, joined the fun to play as Carley Bobby. Goff has won Halloween before, as his prior rendition of B-Rad from Malibu’s Most Wanted always resurfaces around this time of year.
New England Patriots DE Keion White
Julius from Everybody Hates Chris
Keion White of the New England Patriots gets an “A” for both execution and efficiency this year. Donning no more than mechanic-style coveralls with a name patch, the defensive lineman morphed into tough-loving television father Julius from Everybody Hates Chris. Even better—his efforts on Sunday (four tackles, one TFL) aided the Pats to a narrow victory against the rival New York Jets.
Cleveland Browns DE Myles Garrett
Terminator
As my personal favorite costume out of the NFL in 2024, Cleveland Browns superstar Myles Garrett went outside of the box for this Terminator rendition. I’m not sure where Garrett obtained the ultra-realistic mask, but you certainly wouldn’t know who this was in costume unless someone told you prior (which is testament of a good Halloween wardrobe). The reigning NFL Defensive Player of the Year followed up the intimidating cosplay with a slower than usual game. Regardless, Garrett’s Browns proceeded to upset the Baltimore Ravens in a tight contest.
Atlanta Falcons WR Ray-Ray McCloud
Money Mike from Friday After Next
Ray-Ray McCloud is close to setting annual highs in various categories after only half a season with the Atlanta Falcons. The speedy wideout flipped modes after Atlanta’s recent divisional win to wonderfully portray Money Mike from the third installment of Ice Cube’s Friday trilogy. Truly, the resemblance is uncanny.
Happy NFL Halloween! With one football game from Gotham tonight, are you taking the Houston Texans or New York Jets?
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