William James (born William James Peterson, Jr. June 15, 1979 in Uniontown, Pennsylvania) is an American football cornerback for the Philadelphia Eagles. He was selected with the 16th pick of the third round of the 2001 NFL Draft out of Western Illinois University by the New York Giants. Peterson attended the University of Michigan for two years, one of them with the school's 1997 national championship team, …

Don Lee Beebe (born December 18, 1964 in Aurora, Illinois) is a former American football wide receiver who played for the Buffalo Bills (1989-1994), Carolina Panthers (1995) and the Green Bay Packers (1996-1997) of the NFL. He was drafted by the Bills out of Chadron State College (after transferring from Western Illinois University) in the third round (82nd pick overall) of the 1989 NFL Draft.

David Walter Bowens (born July 3, 1977 in Denver, Colorado) is an American football defensive end and Linebacker for the New York Jets. He most recently played for the Miami Dolphins, and collegiately at Western Illinois and the University of Michigan.

Mike Scifres (born October 8, 1980 in Metairie, Louisiana) is a punter for the San Diego Chargers. He was selected with the 14th pick of the fifth round of the 2003 NFL Draft out of Western Illinois University. He has twice been an alternate for the Pro Bowl, most recently as a 1st Alternate for the 2007 Pro Bowl ahead of Shane Lechler. He is also the highest paid punter in the NFL.

Rodney Scott Harrison (born December 15, 1972 in Markham, Illinois) is an American football safety for the New England Patriots of the National Football League.

Frisman Jackson (born June 12, 1979 in Chicago, Illinois) is a wide receiver for the New York Jets NFL football team.

Michael Robert Wagner (born June 22, 1949 in Waukegan, Illinois) is a former American football player. He played at safety for the Pittsburgh Steelers in the National Football League from 1971 to 1980. Wagner was a member of the famed Steel Curtain defense, appeared in two Pro Bowls--in 1975 and 1976--and played in four Super Bowls. Mike Wagner played in four Super Bowls for the Pittsburgh Steelers. As a 13th round draft pick from a Western Illinois University, …

Aaron Stecker (born November 13, 1975 in Green Bay, Wisconsin) is an American football running back who plays for the New Orleans Saints of the National Football League. He attended Western Illinois University. Prior to playing for the Saints, he played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, as well as the Scottish Claymores of NFL Europe.

Edgerton Hartwell II (born May 27, 1978 in Las Vegas, Nevada) is an American football linebacker on the Cincinnati Bengals.

Bryan Keith Cox (born February 17, 1968) is a former NFL linebacker. He was a member of the New England Patriots club that won Super Bowl XXXVI. He is currently on the New York Jets coaching staff. Cox generated controversy while a Miami Dolphin in 1993, when he waved the middle fingers of both hands at fans prior to an away game against the Buffalo Bills. Cox defended his obscene gesture by claiming that it was directed at specific agitated spectators.

Booker Edgerson (born July 5, 1939 in Baxter, Arkansas) was an American college and professional football player. This graduate of Western Illinois University was a cornerstone of the American Football League Buffalo Bills' defense in the mid-1960s, at left cornerback. A four-year letterman (football, baseball, wrestling, track & field); in 1959 and 1960, he led the WIU football team to the only consecutive undefeated seasons in school history, …

Rich Seubert (born March 30, 1979 in Rozellville, Wisconsin) is a National Football League guard for the New York Giants. He was signed as an undrafted free agent out of Western Illinois University. Lives in Wayne, New Jersey. Best town ever!!

Russell Walter Michna (born February 3, 1981 in Elk Grove Village, Illinois) is an American football quarterback for the Chicago Rush of the Arena Football League. He was originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the St. Louis Rams of the NFL out of Western Illinois University. While he never made the Rams active roster, he did spend time on their practice squad, as well as playing two seasons as a backup for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers of the CFL.

Frank Winters (born January 23, 1964) was a center in the NFL.

Larry Garron was an American college and professional football player. A fullback, he played college football at Western Illinois University, and played professionally in the American Football League for the Boston Patriots from 1960 through 1963, and in 1965. He averaged 5.9 yards per carry in 1962 and accounted for 1,168 total yards from scrimmage in 1963. Garron was an American Football League All-Star in 1961, 1963, 1964 and 1967, …

Lamar McGriggs (born May 9, 1968) is a former National Football League, and Canadian Football League linebacker, having most recently played for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. On February 22, 2006, the Bombers declined the option on McGriggs, making him a free agent. He won a Grey Cup championship in 1999 with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. McGriggs attended Ellsworth Junior College, where he was an All-American.