Today In History

Top Ten All-Time NFL Running Backs .. comprised by sports historian Ken Siegel In the midst of another exciting NFL season, what better time to consider who the all-time greatest running back is? Here is my top ten list: 10. Curtis Martin – Over 1,000 yards in all 10 of his first 10 seasons in the league, and led the league in rushing with 1,697 yards in 2004 at age 31. He is also # 4 on the all-time career rushing yards list. 9. O.J. Simpson – Infamous today for much different reasons, but back in his playing days, he was one of the best. Rushed for 2,003 yards in a 14 game season in 1973. 8. Franco Harris – Won 4 Super Bowls anchoring the Steelers’ ground attack. Is the all-time leading rusher in Super Bowl play and is # 13 on the all-time career rushing yards list. 7. LaDainian Tomlinson - # 5 on the all-time rushing list and # 2 in rushing TDs, but was also a tremendous threat as a receiver, compiling nearly 5,000 receiving yards in his career. 6. Eric Dickerson - # 8 on the all-time rushing yards list and also holds the single season record with 2,105 yards in 1984. 5. Marshall Faulk – In addition to being # 10 on the all-time rushing list, was also likely the best ever receiver among the all-time great NFL running backs. He had 5 consecutive seasons of at least 80 receptions and accumulated nearly 7,000 receiving yards in his career. He is # 4 all-time in career yards from scrimmage. 4. Jim Brown – 12,312 rushing yards (# 9 all-time) in just 9 seasons, some of which were only 12 games long. He averaged 104 yards per game and over 5 yards per carry for his career. 3. Barry Sanders – Probably the most electrifying running back in NFL history. He accumulated 15,269 yards rushing (# 3 all-time) in just 10 seasons, including 2,053 in 1997. He played in only 153 games, meaning that he essentially averaged 100 yards rushing per game for his career. 2. Emmitt Smith – The NFL’s all-time career rushing yards leader led the Cowboys to 3 Super Bowl titles. He is also the NFL’s all-time leader in rushing touchdowns and # 4 all-time in all-purpose yards. Smith had over 500 receptions in his career as well. 1. Walter Payton – “Sweetness” is # 2 on the all-time rushing list, but played in 29 less games in his career than Emmitt Smith, the only person above him on the list. Payton also had over 1,300 more yards receiving than Smith and a better yards per carry average for his career. Even Emmitt Smith, and many of the other great RBs, all agree that Payton was the best there ever was. Honorable Mentions - I had considered Adrian Peterson for this list, but, with only 6 seasons in his career prior to the one in progress, it is still too early to rank him over the all-time greats above. I also considered Earl Campbell, who I believe in his prime was one of the greats. But, he had too short of a prime, only really excelling for a period of about 5 years. Do you agree with my list? Please let me know at ksiegel@nostalgicamerica.com