The first NFL player officially recognized as having a playing weight of 300 pounds or more was Roger Brown in the early 1960s.
While Brown is the most commonly cited "first" for regular 300-pound players, several other historical figures held similar distinctions:
Les Bingaman (1948–1954): A defensive middle guard for the Detroit Lions, Bingaman was widely considered the heaviest player of his era. Although often listed at a lower weight like 272 pounds, he reportedly tipped the scales at nearly 350 pounds near the end of his career in 1954.
Roger Brown (1960–1969): Also a defensive tackle for the Lions, Brown was the NFL's first "regular" player to be listed at 300 pounds. He was a key member of the "Fearsome Foursome" and reached this weight during the 1960 season.
Richard Sligh (1967): Sligh, who played for the Oakland Raiders, was officially listed at 300 pounds. Standing at 7 feet tall, he remains the tallest player in professional football history.
