Emmitt Smith, Earl Campbell, Marshawn Lynch, Corey Dillon, and DeMarco Murray all have the right amount of fame, but how do you rate their overall abilities? Let’s answer the question with a list of the best NFL running backs. This list is by no means definitive. There are many more running backs who deserve to be included, but none has a more storied career than Smith.
Emmitt Smith
The best way to describe Emmitt Smith is to say that he was one of a kind. He was good at everything, but also great at a few things that most people don’t even think about. Smith had incredible balance, but he also was able to leverage his body and his hands to pick up yards and score touchdowns. The fact that he was an undersized running back does not hurt his legacy, either.
In his prime, Smith set numerous records. He led the NFL in rushing yards four consecutive seasons, rushed for over 4,000 yards in one season, and scored 19 touchdowns. He also set records for rushing touchdowns and games with at least 1,000 yards. Among other things, he won four Super Bowls, three of them in a row. In addition, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2006, and he is also a member of the College Football Hall of Fame.
Smith was a standout in college, becoming a pillar of the Dallas Cowboys’ dynasty in the 90s. His prowess landed him a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. His career was highlighted by one of the most dominant seasons in league history. If you’re looking for an underrated running back, look no further than Emmitt Smith.
The fans say that Smith’s greatest accomplishment is his unselfishness. Although he is only 212 pounds, his strength, doggedness, and conditioning helped him thrive in the NFL. The Pro Football Hall of Fame has inducted many Hall of Famers, including Jerry Rice. Smith is a true benevolent force and deserves every conceivable accolade. You will be hard-pressed to find a better running back than Emmitt Smith.
Corey Dillon
Dillon was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 1997 NFL Draft. He spent his entire career with the team, rushing for more than 1,100 yards in six of those years. Despite being on a struggling team, Dillon’s performances were lauded by his teammates and peers. During his rookie season, Dillon set a Bengals rookie record, rushing for a league-high 246 yards and four touchdowns in a win over the Tennessee Oilers. Those numbers are still standing today.
During his career, Dillon rushed for more than 11,000 yards and scored 82 touchdowns. He surpassed Hall of Famers O.J. Simpson, Terrell Davis, and Larry Csonka, who each had over 4,000 rushing yards during their playing careers. However, despite these numbers, Dillon’s greatest accomplishment was the one he won in a Super Bowl.
Dillon was acquired by the New England Patriots in a second-round trade in 2004. After establishing himself as a star, he set career and franchise records. In 2004, Dillon rushed for 144 yards against the Indianapolis Colts while catching five passes for 17 yards. Dillon’s exceptional performance led the Patriots to their third Super Bowl title. In Super Bowl XXXIX, Dillon led the team with 75 yards and a touchdown. He also caught three passes for 31 yards for 106 yards.
Dillon was a two-sport athlete in high school. While his baseball skills were highly regarded, he always saw himself as a running back. After graduating from high school, Dillon went to junior college in Kansas and later played running back for the Washington Huskies. His record-breaking performance in the 2004 season still stands as the franchise’s all-time record. However, Corey Dillon is arguably the best NFL running back of alltime.
Earl Campbell
While his career was brief compared to the legendary careers of Emmitt Smith and Walter Payton, it is still hard to argue with the record he set in his first four years in the NFL. Campbell rushed for 6,457 yards and 55 touchdowns in his first four seasons, including two of those that ranked in the top ten. He also had great success as a receiver, as his rushing totals topped 1,000 yards in three of his final seasons.
The numbers speak for themselves. In 1980, Campbell led the league in rushing yards with 1,934 yards, including four 200-yard games. His 81-yard game against the Miami Dolphins was the most memorable, as his rushing total was credited as the winning difference in the 35-30 win. And while it is true that Campbell did miss the chance to reach 2,000 yards in a season, his best campaign ushered him into the top 30 among NFL running backs.
Another running back with a Hall-of-Famer status is Tyler Campbell. He was a three-time NFL rushing champion, and won three consecutive league MVP awards. In addition to his impressive playing career, Campbell won the Heisman Memorial Trophy in 1978. He also won the Davey O’Brien Memorial Trophy, which is awarded to the outstanding player in the Southwest Conference. He was named college football player of the year by Sporting News and United Press International, and was a unanimous All-American. His college career also saw him rack up 4,443 rushing yards and 40 touchdowns.
Faulk is another player who deserves a place among the top running backs. He is a two-time MVP, two-time Super Bowl champion and is enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The only other player with as much as six thousand rushing yards and 6,000 receiving yards is Roger Craig. In 2009, Chris Johnson ranked fifth all-time in yards and receiving touchdowns.
Marshawn Lynch
As a college running back, Lynch had a stellar career, earning the Pac-10 Offensive Player of the Year and 1,356 yards on just 223 carries. He also scored 11 touchdowns and helped the Golden Bears win their second straight bowl game. As a pro, Lynch continued to shine at the highest level, leading the NFL in rushing yards and touchdowns in each of the last three seasons.
Lynch’s rushing career is arguably the best of all time, earning him five Pro Bowl appearances and a Super Bowl victory. His record-breaking 67-yard touchdown run against the New Orleans Saints was known as “The Beast Quake” and caused heads to turn all over the NFL. Lynch also racked up 84 career touchdowns, ranking him 16th all-time. His legendary 67-yard run against the New Orleans Saints may be the best rushing play in NFL history.
His aggressive style and ability to produce at a high level for prolonged periods of time make Lynch a top candidate to be the best NFL running back of all-time. Before all is said and done, Lynch is likely to be enshrined in Canton. And what about his future? It will be interesting to see how he’s ranked in the future. So who knows? The debate isn’t over yet. It’s a hot topic among fans and sports writers alike, but one thing is certain.
The Seattle Seahawks’ head coach, Pete Carroll, recently called for a pass to Lynch to stop Russell Wilson’s quick slant. Lynch had rushed for more yards than the other 14 backs combined. That puts him in the top seven rushing leaders. It’s difficult to argue that Lynch’s numbers would put him in the Hall of Fame, however. Among the best running backs of all time, seven of the top fourteen are Hall of Fame members.
Walter Payton
Walter Payton is a legendary NFL running back. He was drafted as the fourth overall pick in the 1975 NFL Draft and went on to have an outstanding collegiate football career at Jackson State University. Two years later, he broke the single game rushing record with 275 yards against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He won the AP NFL Most Valuable Player Award that year and was named MVP of his second pro football season. Besides being one of the greatest NFL running backs of all time, Payton helped many others get jobs, go to school, and worked harder.
Like Barry Sanders, Payton was a prolific runner, leading the NFL in rushing yards, rushing touchdowns, and yards-per-carry average in 1977. But perhaps his magnum opus came in 1977, when he rushed for a then NFL record 275 yards in the win over the Minnesota Vikings. With that performance, he helped Chicago reach the postseason for the first time since 1963.
In addition to being a talented rusher, Payton was an outstanding pass receiver, blocker, and passer. He had a pinball running style that bounced off tacklers. His off-season training regime was legendary, as he started more than 180 consecutive games. He was also a devoted charity activist, raising awareness about organ donation. He was credited with igniting national interest in organ donation, which led to the creation of the Walter Payton Community Service Award.
While Jim Brown is widely considered the greatest running back of alltime, some would argue that Walter isn’t the best NFL running back of alltime. The argument relates to position value, competition, and different rules. Many consider Jim Brown the best NFL running back of alltime, but I don’t know enough about their achievements to make a decision on which player is the best. You will have to decide what you believe is right for you.
This article examines the running back careers of Emmitt Smith, OJ Simpson, and Barry Sanders. Which of them was the best running back? This article will also consider the role of running backs in the movies. Whether or not Emmitt Smith was the best running back depends on how you view his career. To begin, consider the stats of his career.
OJ Simpson’s career as a running back
OJ Simpson is best known for his infamous run in the San Francisco 49ers’ locker room. The former running back is now an actor, broadcaster and convicted felon. He played for the Buffalo Bills and San Francisco 49ers. Despite his infamous name, Simpson’s career as a running back was nothing short of spectacular. Read on to learn more about this former athlete’s career.
OJ’s success as a running back was matched only by his infamous off-field behavior. While on the field, he had an image of being a troublemaker, which he had to disassociate himself from. However, the warm personality and charm he displayed were enough to help him become a legend. He was able to capitalize on his star power to become an icon, becoming the first African-American athlete to be merchandised on a massive scale.
After college, he forged a successful NFL career. He won the Heisman Trophy in 1968 and was drafted first overall by the Buffalo Bills in the 1969 NFL Draft. During his NFL career, he rushed for 11,236 yards, tallied 21 touchdowns, and was named the NFL MVP in 1973. While playing for the Bills, he broke many records and won the Heisman Trophy in his final season.
Despite the controversy surrounding his career, OJ Simpson remained a celebrated figure in America. In 1999, he was acquitted of the murder charges against him and was ordered to pay $33.5 million in damages. He was ordered to pay a total of $35 million in damages, but the wrongful conviction did not lead to a prison sentence. He was able to continue living a lavish life with the help of his NFL pension, despite the charges.
Despite his lackluster rookie season, Simpson’s outstanding play and consistent performance earned him the Heisman Trophy in his senior year. He set NCAA records for rushing yards and carries, and his 94-yard touchdown run was the longest of his career. The Steelers won the game 38-21. The runner’s career as a running back started early, but continued to improve with his rookie year in 1973 and then as he continued to play for several years.
In addition to his countless catches, Simpson’s record-setting rushing seasons were his most impressive. In 1972, he rushed for 1,251 yards, which led the NFL. In 1973, he broke the 2,000-yard mark for the first time in his career. He had 11 touchdowns and averaged 143.1 rushing yards per game, making him one of the most prolific NFL players of all time.
Aside from his football career, Simpson also had a successful acting career, appearing in The Naked Gun films and starring opposite Leslie Nielsen in The Naked Gun: From the Files of the Police Squad. Then, the events of 1994 brought OJ Simpson to the spotlight. He was eventually charged with murder. In 1994, his life was turned upside down. It seems like the NFL was not able to pay him the millions of dollars he earned during his career.
Emmitt Smith’s career
Emmitt James Smith III is a former American football running back. He played in the National Football League for 15 seasons, primarily with the Dallas Cowboys. He holds the record as the NFL’s all-time leading rusher. Read on to learn about the life and career of Emmitt Smith. This article examines some of his highlights and a look at the impact he had on the NFL.
In his final season in the NFL, Smith led the NFL in rushing with 21 touchdowns. However, he was injured late in the season and the Cowboys lost the NFC Championship Game. Then, Emmitt Smith entered the Pro Football Hall of Fame. However, his career as a running back was not without its setbacks. As a rookie, he struggled with injuries and missed valuable playing time.
After retiring from the NFL, Emmitt Smith worked in television and started a charity. He also served as a studio analyst on NFL Network and joined ESPN in 2007. After retiring from the NFL, he continued his education by sponsoring the education of 19 underprivileged kids. Despite this setback, his impact on the community is immense. In fact, his charitable foundation is still going strong today.
Aside from his career in football, Emmitt Smith is also involved in real estate. He founded The Smith/Cypress Limited Partnership in 2005 with Roger Staubach. The partnership specializes in transforming underdeveloped parcels of land in North Texas into money-making projects. Smith still holds the league record for career rushing touchdowns. He is one of the most decorated players in NFL history, winning NFL Rushing Crown, league MVP, and Super Bowl MVP.
In addition to his outstanding performance as a running back, Smith also set the record for the most number of touchdowns – 25. As of May 2011, Smith holds the record for the most consecutive seasons with at least one hundred yards rushing. He also holds the record for most games played in a single season and the most rushing touchdowns with four seasons in a row. He also holds a record for the most rushing touchdowns and most rushing attempts, which are two of the most important statistics in a running back’s career.
Despite his age, Smith is the only NFL player to have three 100-yard seasons. The only other player to do that was Marcus Allen, who played for the Kansas City Chiefs at Cleveland in Dec. 1993. In addition, Smith’s first career pass was a 21-yard touchdown to fullback Obafemi Ayanbadejo. In a subsequent game against the San Francisco 49ers, Smith had rushed for over 100 yards for the second consecutive time.
As a college player, Smith showed the talent to approach 1,000 yards. His yards-per-game average increased steadily over his career. In his freshman year, he rushed for 1,341 yards, becoming the fastest player to reach this milestone in college football. However, he missed three games due to injury, which decreased his total to 1,395 yards. His sophomore season, he rushed for 1,599 yards, becoming the fastest college running back to do so.
Barry Sanders’ career
Though he was not drafted into the NFL until the second round, Barry Sanders’ career as a running back was quite successful. He never missed a game and averaged more than seven yards per carry. His speed and agility were admired by the coaching staff, and he broke tackles and avoided hits throughout his rookie season. In 1988, he broke the record for most rushing yards in a season and scored 37 touchdowns. He could have easily won the rushing title, but he opted to return kicks and punts instead.
After playing college football for Oklahoma State, Barry Sanders joined the Detroit Lions and became the team’s most successful player. His debut season in the NFL earned him the Rookie of the Year Award, and he went on to win numerous honors. He was named NFL MVP in 1997, and retired suddenly a few years later. Sadly, he never made it to the Super Bowl, but his career was a whirlwind of glory.
While playing for the Detroit Lions, he averaged around 1,500 rushing yards a season and was especially productive in 1994 and 1997. However, his elusiveness caused him to be criticised for not showing up to big games. While he rarely participated in overblown celebrations, he did manage to reach the record for rushing yards in a single season. This achievement is one of his many accomplishments and makes him a beloved figure among fans.
Born in Wichita, Kansas, Barry Sanders established himself as an all-around athlete in high school. Despite being small, he was still impressive enough to compete for a scholarship at a major college. His athleticism and strength made him a kick-return specialist during his college years, and he would soon be a star in the NFL. In 1988, he won the Heisman Trophy and became the nation’s best player.
In his illustrious career as a running back, he earned the right to be called an All-Pro ten times. He was also the first NFL running back to record five consecutive seasons with more than 1,500 yards. He was on pace to break the NFL’s all-time rushing record, but he announced his retirement at the end of the season. However, his legacy is still very much alive.
The enduring quality of Barry Sanders’ career as a running back is his humility. Barry never once spiked the ball after scoring a touchdown. He always had the team’s best interest at heart, regardless of the situation. In addition, his humility was admirable both on and off the field. He did not seek recognition or acclaim. He firmly believed that football did not make him better than anyone else.