Over the years the game of football has changed, changed enough to render the measurement of greatness by mere statistical achievement alone rather meaningless. So to compile a list of the greatest NFL running backs of all time one has to sort through different eras of the game, look past the expansion of the league, the merger with the AFL, the addition of games to the schedule, and the evolution of a championship game into a hyped-up Super Bowl as well. Add to those factors a preference for style and you end up with a complex equation to be solved, as well as a debate for the ages. Having said that, one is left with a list that is best broken up by era.

1930's -1940's:

Red Grange (1925-1934): Red Grange, the fabled "Galloping Ghost," should be high on anyone's list. The modern day player probably owes a great debt to this former University of Illinois great, for it was Grange's signing with the Chicago Bears, and subsequent barnstorming tour that brought the NFL into the mainstream. Recognizing the impact that Grange would have on the game, legendary Bear's owner/coach George Halas offered him half of the gate receipts for the tour, which amounted to over $100,000. The amount was unheard in an era where most players were lucky to receive $100/game. Few players transcended the game the way Red Grange did, prompting sportswriter Grantland Rice to immortalize Grange in poetic fashion.

A streak of fire, a breath of flame
Eluding all who reach and clutch;
A gray ghost thrown into the game
That rival hands may never touch;
A rubber bounding, blasting soul
Whose destination is the goal Red Grange of Illinois!

1950's -1960's:

{mosimage}Jim Brown (1957-1965): Jim Brown was the prototypical running back of the modern era. So great where Brown's achievements on the football field that noted Sportswriter Bert Sugar gave Brown the #1 spot in his book "The Greatest Athletes of All Time." Blessed with a rare combination of speed and power, Brown amassed 12,312 yards in a career that spanned only nine years. When he left the NFL for Hollywood at the age of 29, Brown held virtually all NFL single season and career rushing records, doing so in an era that did not have a 16 game schedule. Among the awards he received are three NFL MVPs, 3 Pro Bowl game MVP's and Pro Bowl selection during all nine years he played. Brown also won NFL rushing titles in 8 out of his 9 years in the league.

Gale Sayers (1965-1971): Nickname the "Kansas Comet," few players could keep up with the lightning quick Gale Sayers in the open field. Though his career was cut tragically short by injury, Sayers nevertheless left his mark on NFL record books. As a rookie for the Chicago Bears in 1965, Sayers lead the league in scoring with an NFL record 22 touchdowns. A threat to score by run, reception or return any time he touched the ball, Gale had two games of over 300 total yards, and holds the NFL career mark for kickoff return average. Sayers also tied an NFL record when he scored six touchdowns in a game against the 49ers in 1965.

1970's:

O.J. Simpson (1969-1979): He is infamous now, courtesy of an alleged double homicide and other run-ins with the laws, but during the 70's few players were as electrifying to watch as O.J. Simpson. Breaker of Jim Brown's single season rushing record, and the first player to compile over 2,000 yards rushing in a single season when he rushed for 2,003 yards in 1973, this former Heisman Trophy winner was the heart and soul of a rather mediocre Buffalo's Bill's team. Simpson added AFC rushing titles in 1972, 73, 75, and 76, and finished his career with 11,236 yards rushing, second only to Jim Brown at the time he retired.

Walter Payton (1975-1987): If class was a category for evaluating the greatest NFL runners of all time, Walter Payton would win the award hands down. The player known as "Sweetness" was a one of a kind classy runner whose durability and off field preparation for the game where without equal. On the field he was as prolific a runner as they come, rushing for 16,726 yards and scoring 110 touchdowns during his storied career. Payton went on to win five straight NFC rushing titles between 1976 -1980.

Larry Csonka (1968-1979) and Earl Campbell (1978-1985): Undoubtedly two of the greatest power runner in NFL history, Csonka and Campbell both left their mark on the decade with tough hard nose running between the tackles. In the early part of the decade, Csonka carried the Miami Dolphins to three straight Super Bowl appearances, gaining over 100 yards rushing in each of Miami's Super Bowl wins (1972, 1973). Like Csonka, Campbell was a load to bring down, running over and through people in a career which saw the Texas born runner win four straight rushing titles from 1978-1981. During that four year span of time, the prolific Campbell ran for over 6,000 yards.

1980's:

Eric Dickerson (1983-1993): Eric Dickerson never seems to get his due when great backs are mention, but few backs enjoyed the success that Dickerson had during the early parts of his career. This goggle wearing halfback from SMU, set a rookie single season rushing record his first year in the league, when he gained 1,808 yards in 1983. Dickerson followed that mark with an NFL record of 2,105 yards in 1984, a mark that still stands. During the decade Dickerson would go on to win 3 NFC and 2 AFC rushing titles, finishing his impressive career with 13,259 yards rushing. While other player had exceptional seasons in the 80's, the decade clearly belonged to Dickerson.

1990's:

{mosimage}Emmitt Smith (1990-2004): If greatness is measured by a combination of statistical achievements and championships won, few could begrudge Emmitt's high place on this list. The holder of the NFL's all time rushing record with 18.355 yards, Smith also won three Super Bowl rings with the Dallas Cowboys in the 1990's. Noted for having an ultra competitive heart, the durable Smith excelled at the position by blending speed, power, and balance, with great vision. Among his crowing statistical achievements are 164 career rushing touchdowns, and 78 games in which he ran for over 100 yards. A tribute to his durability is the record 4,409 times that Smith ran with the ball in a regular season games.

Barry Sanders (1989-1998): On the other hand, if greatness is measured by unparallel skill on the football field, a case could be made for Barry Sanders. The 5' 8" Sanders, who holds the college football record for most rushing yards gained in a season, was a highly gifted and instinctive runner whose performance sometimes defied description. This former Heisman trophy winner was a prolific rusher who gained 15,269 yards during his career. Had he not decided to cut his career short for personal reasons, it is a safe bet that Sanders, not Smith, would be ranked first in career rushing yards. Unlike Smith who played most of his career on championship caliber teams, Sanders' career was spent with the lowly, and often one dimensional Detroit Lions. Still, this skilled runner chalked up 10 Pro Bowl appearances and was NFL MVP in 1997 when he led the league in rushing with 2,051 yards. Sportswriter Paul Zimmerman wrote that, "Nobody has ever created such turmoil at the point of attack as Sanders has," a high tribute for this one of a kind runner.

2000's:

LaDanian Tomlinson (2001-2007): There should be little dispute as to who the greatest runner of this decade is. Picking off where Smith and Sanders left off, Tomlinson has been as steady and prolific a back as the NFL has seen. With a penchant for the end zone, Tomlinson set a league record in 2006 with 31 total touchdowns. A highly versatile back, LaDanian can score on runs, and receptions, as well as throw the occasional touchdown pass. Already, in his brief seven year career, Tomlinson has amassed 10,650 yards rushing and scored 115 touchdowns. At the pace he is on, look for Tomlinson to surpass all but Smith, and Payton on the all time rushing list.

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (4)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

Lloyds Apple said:

Great read GDK. I've got a soft spot for what Bo Jackson could have been. And of all teams he gets hurt by the Bengals. The NFL is stocked with RB's always. Peterson could be on this list in a few years. Jim Brown, Emmitt Smith and Barry Sanders may be my top 3 in no particular order. Never saw Brown play but hear he was pretty good. LT is great and all but I like Smith and Sanders more. When Barry Sanders played I was convinced he was much better than Emmitt. He was the most exciting for sure.

report abuse vote down vote up

January 29, 2008
Votes: +0

reed said:

	http://www.vimeo.com/644803
	report abuse vote down vote up

January 30, 2008
Votes: +0

Bugeatersteve said:

	REED, TFF LOL man, that was pretty "classic" to say the least.
	report abuse vote down vote up

January 30, 2008
Votes: +0

Bugeatersteve said:

Not to go off on a "tangent" but I also did not feel like writing a full blown article, but has anyone noticed that trades in the NFL just don't happen anymore. Can anyone name a trade that happened during this past NFL season? How about even the biggest trade in, say the last 3 years? I can think of the Chris Chambers from Miami to Chargers for a 2nd round draft choice. Any thoughts from other Death Rattlers?

report abuse vote down vote up

February 11, 2008
Votes: +0

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (Registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Add Comment