Who Has The Highest Bench Press In NFL History? Unpacking The Strength Behind The Game

Zander West 27 Jul 2025

Strength and football have long gone together, that is just how it is. It's almost like a fundamental part of what makes the game what it is, you know? So, trying to figure out the strongest NFL players ever, it's pretty much fraught with problems, from how eras change to how numbers grow over time. It's also about the fact that sometimes high squats and assisted bench presses are counted, which can make things a little fuzzy, in a way.

The bench press, actually, has been a really big deal at the NFL Combine for quite some time now. It’s been a core part of the evaluation process since 1985, as a matter of fact. Back then, they just asked players to lift as much weight as possible for one repetition, which is pretty straightforward, right?

But the test has certainly evolved, and it's become a significant measure of a player's upper body power and how long their muscles can keep going. This annual event, the NFL Combine, you know, it showcases some of the very best college football players, and it has been around since the 1980s, growing into one of the premier events leading up to the NFL Draft. It’s where many aspiring pros really get to show off their physical abilities.

The Combine Bench Press: A Test of Power
The NFL Combine Bench Press Record Holders
- Justin Ernest: The Reps King
- Stephen Paea: The Official Record
Beyond the Combine: The Strongest in NFL History
- Ben Allen: A True Strongman
Who is the Strongest Man in Football, Globally?
FAQs About NFL Bench Press

The Combine Bench Press: A Test of Power

The NFL Combine bench press test, you know, it really looks at a player's upper body strength and their muscular endurance. It’s not just about lifting a lot of weight one time. Instead, players are asked to lift 225 pounds (which is about 102 kilograms) as many times as they can. This particular setup, it gives scouts a good idea of how much stamina a player has in their upper body, which is pretty important for positions like offensive and defensive linemen, for example.

Offensive and defensive linemen, they have pretty much always been the ones who dominate this particular test. It makes sense, too, because their jobs on the field often demand that kind of sustained upper body effort. The history of this test, it shows how it has changed from a one-rep max to this endurance challenge, giving a different kind of insight into a player's physical gifts.

The NFL Combine Bench Press Record Holders

When we talk about the highest bench press in NFL history, it's really important to separate the Combine records, which focus on reps at 225 pounds, from individual max lifts that might happen outside of the Combine. Both are impressive, but they measure slightly different things, you know?

Justin Ernest: The Reps King

For a long time, Justin Ernest has held a really impressive record for bench press reps. He managed an incredible 51 bench press reps, and that record has stood since 1999. It's a truly remarkable display of upper body endurance and raw strength, honestly. This kind of performance, it really gets people talking about a player's potential.

Here’s a quick look at some details about Justin Ernest, the man behind those amazing 51 reps:

Name	Justin Ernest
Bench Press Record (Reps)	51 reps (at 225 lbs)
Year Set	1999
Position	Defensive Tackle

Stephen Paea: The Official Record

Now, when you look at the "official" NFL Combine bench press record, that honor goes to Stephen Paea. He achieved 49 reps, and that’s a pretty significant number, really. It’s worth noting that sometimes there are nuances in how records are tracked or officially recognized, but Paea’s performance is widely cited as the benchmark for the modern Combine.

Many people find it interesting to see who else ranks among the strongest performers at the Combine. There are, for example, the 10 highest bench press reps in NFL Combine history, and it's always fascinating to see how those players fared in their careers afterward. It doesn't always mean immediate stardom, but it certainly shows a high level of physical readiness.

Beyond the Combine: The Strongest in NFL History

While the Combine focuses on reps, the question of "who has the highest bench press in NFL history" can also mean the single heaviest lift. This takes us outside the specific Combine test and into the world of individual strength feats. It's a different kind of strength, you know, more about raw, absolute lifting capacity.

Ben Allen: A True Strongman

When people talk about the strongest man in NFL history, Ben Allen often comes up. He’s pretty much regarded as one of the physically strongest men to have ever played in the NFL, and for good reason. At 6 feet 3 inches in height and weighing 325 pounds, he was a truly imposing figure, as a matter of fact.

Allen recorded an official bench press of 705 pounds (which is about 320 kilograms). That is an absolutely incredible amount of weight to lift, honestly. He also had a squat of 905 pounds (around 411 kilograms), which just adds to his reputation as a powerhouse. His numbers are just so very, very high, they really stand out.

Here’s a look at some key details about Ben Allen, a true giant of strength:

Name	Ben Allen
Height	6 ft 3 in (191 cm)
Weight	325 lbs (147 kg)
Official Bench Press	705 lbs (320 kg)
Official Squat	905 lbs (411 kg)

So, while the Combine focuses on endurance at a set weight, Allen’s numbers show a different kind of strength entirely – the ability to move truly massive amounts of weight. This kind of raw power, it's something that really captures the imagination of football fans, you know?

Who is the Strongest Man in Football, Globally?

Beyond the NFL, if you look at the broader world of football, Adebayo Akinfenwa still pretty much tops the list of the strongest football players of all time. He’s known globally for his incredible physique and immense strength, which is just a different kind of strong compared to the NFL linemen, but impressive nonetheless. It just goes to show, strength comes in many forms across different sports.

The bench press is still one of the marquee events at the NFL Combine. For instance, the 2024 NFL Combine ran from February 29 to March 3 at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, and the bench press was a highlight there, as usual. It’s always a moment where players can really make an impression with their raw physical ability. You can learn more about the NFL Combine on their official site, for example.

FAQs About NFL Bench Press

Q: Who holds the official NFL Combine bench press record?

A: Stephen Paea holds the official NFL Combine bench press record, with an impressive 49 reps at 225 pounds. This is widely recognized as the top mark in the event’s history, even though Justin Ernest once achieved 51 reps.

Q: Has any NFL player not been able to bench 225 pounds?

A: Yes, actually. The worst bench press in the history of the NFL Scout Combine belongs to former Redskins cornerback Fred Smoot, who famously did not manage to bench 225 pounds even once. This really shows how challenging the test can be, even for professional athletes.

Q: Who is considered the strongest man in NFL history beyond the combine?

A: Beyond the Combine's rep test, Ben Allen is widely regarded as one of the physically strongest men to have ever played in the NFL. He recorded an official bench press of 705 pounds, which is a truly massive single lift, showing a different kind of strength than the endurance test at the Combine. You can find more information about NFL player strength records on this page, too.

NFL Combine bench press records: Here are the top 10 workouts in NFL

NFL Combine | Bench Press Viewing - IndyHub

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