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Some of the most beloved players in NFL history were running backs. While the quarterbacks and wide receivers get most of the attention in today’s game, these iconic runners had careers that will generate conversations for decades to come.
Lenny Moore
Robert Riger/Getty ImagesSelected No. 9 overall out of Penn State in the 1956 NFL Draft, Lenny Moore is one of the more accomplished players from back in the day. Moore earning Rookie of the Year honors was a sign of things to come. The Nittany Lion would proceed to make five First-Team All-Pro teams and seven Pro Bowls. A two-time champion with the Baltimore Colts, Moore led the NFL in rushing touchdowns in 1964 with 20 scores. A recent inductee to the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team, Moore’s legacy will live on for years to come.
Ricky Watters
Focus on Sport/Getty ImagesA second-round pick by the San Francisco 49ers in 1991, Ricky Watters was an instant sensation in the NFL. Fresh off a successful career at Notre Dame, Watters was selected to the Pro Bowl five years in a row to start his professional career. A threat both rushing and catching passes out of the backfield, Watters tallied over 1,400 yards and 11 touchdowns as a rookie. The Pennsylvania native eclipsed 1,000 yards seven times — including six-straight years from 1995-2000.
Christian McCaffrey
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Christian McCaffrey has blossomed into one of the most dangerous players the NFL has ever seen. In his seven years, the Stanford great has rushed for 6,185 yards and hauled in 509 passes for 4,320 additional yards. In 2019, McCaffrey exploded for 1,387 rushing yards, 15 rushing touchdowns, and hauled in 116 passes for 1,005 yards and four scores. Still looking as strong as ever, McCaffrey only has more time to improve his legacy.
Eddie George
George Gojkovich/Getty ImagesThe 1995 Heisman Trophy winner, Eddie George parlayed a Hall of Fame collegiate career into a very successful life in the NFL. From his rookie year in 1996 through 2000, George rushed for at least 1,294 yards every season. An All-Pro in 2000, George rushed for 1,509 yards and 14 touchdowns in helping Tennessee to a 13-3 regular season.
Tiki Barber
Focus on Sport/Getty ImagesTiki Barber’s career made little to no sense. In his first five seasons, Barber’s best single-season rushing mark was 1,006 yards. During that time, Barber had 15 rushing touchdowns and 26 fumbles. Then, Barber became a sensation in the last five years of his career. The Giant rushed for over 1,200 yards each year — peaking at 1,860 in 2005 — and scored 40 rushing TDs.
Fred Taylor
Mark Konezny/NFLPhotoLibraryArguably the best player in Jacksonville franchise history, Taylor is often overlooked when compared to his peers. Making just 12 starts as a rookie, Taylor averaged 4.6 yards per carry — finishing the season with 1,223 yards and 14 scores. In 2000, Taylor made 13 starts and tallied 1,399 yards on the ground. His 107.6 yards per game led the NFL. Taylor would go on to rush for 1,100 yards a total of seven times.
LeSean McCoy
Scott Halleran/Getty ImagesLeSean McCoy was one of the most consistent runners in the 2010s. Peak McCoy was a true dual-threat equipped to eviscerate NFL defenses through the air or on the ground. His agility and quickness out of breaks were virtually unparalleled as he made defenders look silly every week. A six-time Pro Bowler, two-time All-Pro, and a member of the 15,000-yard-from-scrimmage club, McCoy cemented himself as an all-time great back.
Ottis Anderson
Focus on Sport/Getty ImagesAnderson isn’t nearly as heralded as some of his peers, but the two-time Super Bowl winner likely doesn’t have an issue with that. His career numbers match up with most of the all-time greats – 10,273 rushing yards (13,335 from scrimmage), 81 touchdowns, and an All-Pro nod — and his longevity was certainly impressive (34 of his rushing touchdowns came after he turned 30 years old).
Ricky Williams
Marc Serota/Getty ImagesComing out of Texas, expectations were sky-high for Williams who was selected fifth overall in the 1999 NFL Draft by the Saints. Williams was a solid producer during his time in New Orleans but didn’t truly break out until he was traded to the Dolphins. In his first year in Miami, Williams rushed for a league-high 1,853 yards (plus 363 yards receiving) and scored 17 touchdowns. His career was cut short due to a short-lived retirement and a year-long suspension, but Williams was undoubtedly one of the most feared backs of his era.
Herschel Walker
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To modern fans, Walker is simply known as the player who was traded to the Minnesota Vikings for an absurd amount of draft picks which were used to essentially kick-start the Dallas Cowboys’ dynasty of the 90s. However, we cannot fault Minnesota for this decision as Walker was a truly dominant player during his time in Dallas. Walker rushed for a career-high 1,514 yards during his last full season with the Cowboys, earning All-Pro Second-Team honors in the process. Minnesota’s front office overvaluing the former Heisman Trophy winner shouldn’t cover for the fact that Walker was a beast during his prime.
Bo Jackson
Mike Powell via Getty ImagesThough his career only spanned 38 professional games, there’s no denying the impact Jackson had on the sport of football. To this day, Jackson is arguably the greatest athlete to ever play the game. An inhuman blend of size, speed, and strength allowed Jackson to dominate at every level. While juggling two sports, Jackson managed to become the only player to be named an NFL Pro Bowler and an MLB All-Star in the same year. He also holds the record for most runs of 90-plus yards (tied with Chris Johnson) with two. Had it not been for several lower-body injuries, Jackson would have posted incredible numbers.
Ollie Matson
Los Angeles Times via Getty ImagesOllie Matson was a ridiculous athlete. How ridiculous, you may ask. Aside from being a six-time Pro Bowler and a seven-time First-Team All-Pro running back, Matson also represented the United States as an Olympian in the 400-meter sprint and the 4×100 relay (he won two medals). One can make the argument that Matson is one of the most athletic players in league history.
Jim Taylor
James Flores/Getty ImagesThe Louisiana native is one of the best fullbacks in NFL history. Taylor was an absolute master when it came to run blocking and pass protection. However, he was ahead of his time as a physical yet nimble rusher. Taylor accumulated five straight seasons with at least 1,000 yards rushing — including a career-high 1,474 yards and 19 touchdowns in 1962. Taylor was a four-time NFL champion and a five-time Pro Bowler.
Larry Csonka
Ross Lewis/Getty ImagesCsonka is often synonymous with the Miami Dolphins’ perfect 1972 season. It’s for good reason, as the Ohio native was a vital cog in the Miami machine. The fullback made five straight Pro Bowls for the Dolphins during the 1970s. A winner of two Super Bowls, Csonka was also a three-time first-team All-Pro. Without question, Csonka is a pure winner with a competitive streak few have matched.
Marion Motley
Vic Stein/Getty ImagesMotley was one of the most impressive running backs of his time for the Cleveland Browns. At nearly 240 pounds, the Ohio native routinely chugged forward for positive yardage. Though he enjoyed only one Pro Bowl year, Motley was a two-time First-Team All-Pro. Aside from rushing for an outstanding career average of 5.7 yards per carry, Motley also won the NFL rushing title in 1950.
John Henry Johnson
Robert Riger/Getty ImagesBefore Jim Brown, there was John Henry Johnson. The gigantic running back (6-foot-2, 210 pounds) was bigger than many of the linemen he played with. A physically imposing player, the Northern California native made four Pro Bowl appearances and two All-Pro squads. To this day, Johnson holds the record for being the oldest rusher (34) to accumulate a 1,000-yard season.
Frank Gore
Philip G. Pavely-USA TODAY SportsFrank Gore had one of the longest and most successful careers as an NFL back. This fact alone is highly impressive. Gore currently ranks No. 3 all-time in most rushing yards for a single career (16,000). The Florida native paired short, choppy steps with above-average agility. He consistently demonstrated immense patience in seeking out running lanes. In 2019, Gore passed Barry Sanders to become No. 3 on the all-time rushing list.
Marshawn Lynch
Steven Bisig-USA TODAY SportsPutting his proclivity for Skittles aside, Lynch was simply a fantastic football player. His stop-and-start style of running made the knees of defenders buckle. Another aspect of Lynch’s well-rounded game was the power with which he ran. There’s an anger seeping through in virtually every carry he gets. Lynch led the league twice in rushing touchdowns. He also can be categorized as a five-time Pro Bowler, a First-Team All-Pro selection, and a Super Bowl Champion.
Shaun Alexander
Jonathan Ferrey/Getty ImagesThe former Alabama star is one of only nine NFL players to have accumulated at least 100 rushing touchdowns. During his MVP season in 2005, Alexander accrued 1,880 rushing yards. He also rushed for an eye-popping 27 touchdowns — which totals the second-highest mark for a single season in NFL history (with the record being 28). Alexander’s brutish running style led to a career in which he rushed for 9,453 yards and 100 touchdowns.
Joe Perry
Bettmann via Getty ImagesAs part of the iconic ‘Million Dollar Backfield’, Perry relished being the San Francisco 49ers’ primary offensive threat. Perry was a one-cut-and-go type of runner. Once he hit the hole and got to the second level, it was virtually impossible to stop him in the open field. He was known for becoming the first NFL player to rush for at least 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons. Duly, he retired as the NFL’s All-Time leading rusher (though that mark has since been broken). The three-time First-Team All-Pro was elected into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1969.
Edgerrin James
Sporting News via Getty Images“The U” has churned out countless All-Pro NFL running backs. James is among the best to have ever played at Miami… and that’s saying something. Throughout his career, James rushed for 12,246 yards and 72 touchdowns. He also caught 433 passes for 3,364 yards and 11 scores. The four-time Pro Bowler led the league in rushing twice and was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. In 2020, James was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Terrell Davis
DON EMMERT/AFP/Getty ImagesDavis has a laundry list of personal achievements. His MVP season came in 1998 — when he accumulated career highs in rushing yards (2,008) and touchdowns (21). The three-time Pro Bowler shined most during the playoffs. In both of Denver’s Super Bowl years, Davis combined for 11 touchdowns and 1,049 yards on the ground during postseason play. He was truly instrumental in helping the franchise win at the pinnacle of the sport.
Jerome Bettis
George Gojkovich/Getty ImagesBettis was a freakish athlete in the best sense of the term. He looked more suited to play along the defensive line than he did as a running back. It’s what made Bettis such a revered and likable figure. Generously listed at 252 pounds during his career, Bettis was an exceptional runner. The six-time Pro Bowler racked up numerous accolades en route to a 2015 induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He currently sits at No. 8 All-Time in career rushing yards (13,662).
John Riggins
Wally McNamee/CORBIS/Corbis via Getty ImagesSpanning throughout his 14-year career, Riggins is only one of seven running back to have rushed for at least 10,000 yards (11,352) and 100 touchdowns (104). The Kansas native led the Redskins to a victory in Super Bowl XVII over the Miami Dolphins. Riggins garnered MVP honors with a 38-carry, 166-yard performance (which included one touchdown).
Franco Harris
Focus on Sport/Getty ImagesTo this day, Harris is the All-Time career rushing leader in Pittsburgh Steelers franchise history (11,950). The nine-time Pro Bowler’s career can also be marked by a ridiculously fantastic postseason mark. Harris helped Pittsburgh win four Super Bowls. He was the MVP of Super Bowl IX — as he rushed for 158 yards and one touchdown on 38 carries. Few can compare to Harris in terms of winning at the highest level.
Thurman Thomas
Andy Lyons via Getty ImagesThomas was the bell cow back for the franchise that infamously lost four-straight Super Bowls. Though the Bills failed to bring a Super Bowl title home to Buffalo, it was not due to Thomas’ play on the field. Thomas made the Pro Bowl five-straight times during this overlapping period. He also had an eight-year stretch in which he rushed for at least 1,000 yards every season.
Curtis Martin
Focus on Sport/Getty ImagesMartin made Pro Bowl appearances in three of his first four years in the league. After a relatively solid three-year stretch, Martin came out of nowhere to garner two First-Team All-Pro denotations (2001, 2004). At 31 years of age, Martin impressively led the league in rushing yards (1,697). Consistency-wise, Martin’s quickness and vision enabled him to rush for at least 1,000 yards in 10 straight seasons.
Marcus Allen
Focus on Sport/Getty ImagesThe stormy relationship with Al Davis led to Allen being jettisoned on the Oakland bench for years during his prime. At 33 years of age, Allen finally left for rival Kansas City — where he led the AFC in rushing touchdowns (12). He then led the Chiefs in rushing for four-straight seasons. For his career, Allen notched 12,243 yards and 123 touchdowns. He ranks No. 14 all-time in career rushing yards — right behind James and narrowly in front of Harris.
Tony Dorsett
Rick Stewart via Getty ImagesTo this day, Dorsett still holds the NFL record for the longest rush in history (99 yards). The faithful in Dallas will always have a soft spot for Dorsett — as he rushed for at least 1,000 yards in eight of 11 seasons with the franchise. His time with the Cowboys included four Pro Bowl appearances, an Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, and three separate occasions in which he was an All-Pro player. Dorsett currently ranks No. 10 All-Time in career rushing yards (12,739).
Adrian Peterson
Focus on Sport/Getty ImagesThe seven-time Pro Bowler set an NFL record (as a rookie) for the most rushing yards in a single game (296). On seven different occasions, Peterson garnered All-League honors — including an MVP Award in 2012. Despite having a taller frame, Peterson is excellent at ‘making himself small’ when bursting through the line of scrimmage. His acceleration is simply mind-boggling — as is his penchant for warding off defenders with stiff-arms and quick cuts. Peterson finished his career as the number five rusher of all-time.
Earl Campbell
Bettmann/Getty ImagesFor his career, Campbell made five Pro Bowls, three First-Team All-Pro teams, and was the 1979 MVP. He led the league in rushing three times and rushed to an impressive 4.3 yards-per-carry clip. Campbell’s style of running limited his career to eight years. However, he clearly established himself as an all-time great. Campbell was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1991.
Eric Dickerson
George Gojkovich/Getty ImagesDickerson still holds a record that has yet to be broken. In 1984, he rushed for 2,105 yards. This equates to an unbelievable 131.6 yards-per-game average. The Ram legend was a five-time All-Pro, six-time Pro Bowler, and a four-time rushing champ. Dickerson was truly one of the greatest running backs the league has ever seen. Dickerson garnered a place in the Hall of Fame in 1999.
Gale Sayers
Focus on Sport/Getty ImagesSayers starred for the Chicago Bears as both a running back and as a returner. Sayers impressively averaged 30.6 yards per kick return. If we toss away the final two injury-riddled years of his career, Sayers averaged 5.18 yards per carry. This would place Sayers fourth all-time in this capacity for a running back. His rookie season was fantastic — as Sayers accumulated 22 total touchdowns and 2,272 all-purpose yards. Sayers became the youngest inductee (34) into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. For the four-time Pro Bowler, it’s simply a situation of ‘what if’ when it came to Sayers’ injury history.
Marshall Faulk
Sporting News Archive/GETTY ImagesFaulk won the NFL Offensive Player of the Year Award in back-to-back-to-back seasons. He also took home the 2000 MVP Award after accumulating 26 touchdowns and 2,189 yards of total offense. Though he was an every-down player, Faulk’s ability to act as a dual-threat rusher/pass-catcher opened the door for other players to carve out niches as third-down backs (such as Darren Sproles and Kevin Faulk).
O.J. Simpson
Focus on Sport/Getty ImagesThough he will be largely known for his involvement in the famed 1994 criminal murder trial, one cannot forget Simpson’s brilliance as a football player. He led the league in rushing on four separate occasions and was a First-Team All-Pro on multiple occasions. Simpson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1985.
LaDainian Tomlinson
Peter Brouillet/NFLPhotoLibraryLT reached double-digit touchdown totals in each of his first 10 seasons in the league. The five-time Pro Bowler won the 2006 MVP Award based upon a season in which he rushed for 1,815 yards and an NFL record 28 touchdowns. Tomlinson had a stretch in which he scored at least one touchdown in 18-straight contests. The TCU product is second all-time in career rushing touchdowns (145). He also ranks seventh in career rushing yards (13,684) and third in receptions for a running back (624).
Emmitt Smith
Focus on Sport/Getty ImagesThere is not another back boasting Smith’s resume. Aside from the fact that he was an eight-time Pro Bowler, a four-time First-Team All-Pro, and a league MVP, Smith also led the NFL in both rushing yards and touchdowns on four separate occasions. To top it all off, he played on three Super Bowl-winning teams. To this day, Smith is the NFL’s all-time leader in rushing touchdowns (164) and rushing yards (18,355).
Walter Payton
Bettmann via Getty ImagesThe nine-time Pro Bowler held many individual records at the time of his retirement in 1987. Payton accumulated 10 seasons with at least 1,200 yards rushing. In addition, he was a fantastic receiver out of the backfield — finishing his career with 492 receptions. Though the likes of Jordan, Butkus, Banks, Sosa, Chelios, and Ditka are core staples within the Windy City, there may not be a more respected athlete in Chicago than Payton. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993. Six years later, he passed away at the age of 45.
Barry Sanders
JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP/Getty ImagesSanders did things on the field that were utterly perplexing. At only 5-foot-8, 203 pounds, he shouldn’t have been an every-down back. Duly, it’s insane to believe that a player of his stature would lead the NFL in rushing in four separate seasons. Sanders essentially was a human pinball — as he rarely took a clean hit. His ability to evade defenders in short spaces was akin to making someone miss in a phone booth. Sanders’ agility remains second to none.
Jim Brown
Focus on Sport/Getty ImagesBrown was as great of a force as anyone’s seen on the professional football level. Standing 6-foot-2 and roughly 230 pounds, Brown was the size of a defensive lineman with the speed of an Olympic sprinter. He bowled over defenders as if they were parking cones. The opposition was essentially rendered useless whilst Brown was carrying the rock.
Brown made Pro Bowl appearances in every season of his nine-year career. In eight of these seasons, he led the NFL in rushing. This level of sheer domination is simply mind-numbing. Brown retired at 29 years of age to pursue other avenues. Upon retiring, he finished with 12,312 yards, a 5.2 yards-per-carry average, and 106 touchdowns. All were NFL records at the time (though they’ve since been broken).
