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Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan is the highest-ranked NFL player on Forbes' annual highest-paid celebrities in the world list, which was released Wednesday. Ryan checked in at No. 29 with an estimated $67.3 million, according to Forbes. The amount stems from the 2016 NFL Most Valuable Player's new five-year, $150 million contract, as well as endorsement deals with Nike, Gatorade, Delta Airlines, IBM, Mercedes Benz and Banana Republic.
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Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford is next among NFL stars at No. 36. The 30-year-old, who is making an estimated $59.5 million, signed a five-year, $135 million contract extension last offseason that was structured to include a large sum in 2018.
New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees (No. 67, $42.9 million), Oakland Raiders quarterback Derek Carr (No. 70, $42.1 million) and Washington Redskins quarterback Alex Smith (No. 72, $41.4 million) are also included before New York Jets cornerback Trumaine Johnson checks in at No. 87.
Johnson made an estimated $37 million, with his $20 million signing bonus from the Jets being taken into account with the $16.7 million base salary he received from the Los Angeles Rams last season.
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo (No. 90, $36.2 million), Miami Dolphins quarterback Ryan Tannehill (No. 96, $35.2 million) and Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller (No. 97, $35.1 million) round out the NFL representation.
Boxer Floyd Mayweather topped the list after he made $285 million from his blockbuster fight with fighter Conor McGregor in August 2017. Actor George Clooney ($239 million), Kylie Jenner ($166.5 million), Judge Judy Sheindlin ($147 million) and actor Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson ($124 million) round out the top five.
