Here are, in my educated opinion, the 10 greatest running backs in the history of football. Let me know what you think...
1. Jim Brown
Rushing Yards: 12,312
Rushing AVG: 5.2
Rushing TD: 106
Receiving Yards: 2,499
Receiving TD: 20
Passing TD: 3
With all-around numbers that were unheard of for his time, as well as an unbelievable rushing average of 5.2 yards to carry, all within a greatly shortened career, Jim Brown is undoubtedly the greatest running back of all time.
2. Walter Payton
Rushing Yards: 16,726
Rushing AVG: 4.4
Rushing TD: 110
Receiving Yards: 4,538
Receiving TD: 15
Walter Payton was one of the better all-around backs to ever play the game. With great success rushing the ball as well as catching it, Payton easily deserves the No. 2 spot on my list.
3. Barry Sanders
Rushing Yards: 15,269
Rushing AVG: 5.0
Rushing TD: 99
Receiving Yards: 2,921
Receiving TD: 10
Arguably the most athletically talented back of all time, watching Barry Sanders run was a thing of beauty. Even in spite of playing for a horrific team through the majority of his career, Sanders still managed to assemble some very impressive numbers.
Some may speculate that, on a better team, Sanders could have become the greatest football player of all time.
4. Emmitt Smith
Rushing Yards: 18,355
Rushing AVG: 4.2
Rushing TD: 164
Receiving Yards: 3,224
Receiving TD:11
Emmitt Smith is a symbol of durability and consistency at a position that has lacked just that over the years. Even with a relatively small frame at 5'9" and 216 pounds, Smith pounded his way to a record-breaking number of yards. He may not have been the flashiest player ever, but he was a workhorse unlike any the game has ever seen.
5. LaDainian Tomlinson
Rushing Yards: 10,650
Rushing AVG: 4.5
Rushing TD: 115
Receiving Yards: 3,375
Receiving TD: 14
Passing TD: 7
Arguably my most controversial pick on my list, I have selected Tomlinson even though he is still in the prime of his career.
Even with years left in the tank, Tomlinson has already surpassed the majority of backs in the history of the game in both rushing and receiving statistics, and has even shown the unusual ability to throw touchdown passes at a prolific rate.
Barring injury or any bad fortune in the near future, Tomlinson may go down as the best running back in the history of football.
6. Marshall Faulk
Rushing Yards: 12,279
Rushing AVG: 4.3
Rushing TD: 100
Receiving Yards: 6,875
Receiving TD: 36
Faulk was arguably the most versatile back of all time. With great speed, power, and receiving ability comparable to an all-pro wide out, Faulk was a danger every time he touched the ball. For this reason, he deserves a place on the list.
7. O.J. Simpson
Rushing Yards: 11,236
Rushing AVG: 4.7
Rushing TD: 61
Receiving Yards: 2,142
Receiving TD: 14
40 comments Last one added about 1 year ago — Leave a Comment
Ben Wasechek about 1 year ago
Sanders in the best running back of all-time, bar none. Also, for you to have LT at #5 is ridiculous, when Marshall Faulk is 6th. How is Eric Dickerson is only 10th, when you have Bettis 8th? I don't dissagree with many that you have on the list (possibly Bettis), but your order is all off. I would probably have included Gale Sayers, even with his short career, before I'd put the Bus. The Bus has basically the same career numbers as Curtis Martin, and he gets no love. All in all though, Barry Sanders is the best football player ever, he didn't need a good team around him to show that. All the records would have been his had he played just a couple more seasons, and that's behind a below average line.
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Rod Smart about 1 year ago
LT is controversial only because he is placed above Marshall Faulk.
Faulk stands head and shoulders above LT at this point, we'll see where Tomlinson ends up by the time he's done.
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Devlan Sheahan about 1 year ago
LT has a higher average YPC, only 7 less TDs and only 1700 less yards. He will break a heck of a lot of records. Marshall Faulk was a great RB but I think his placement is a little high, and LTs is perfectly fine.
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Michael Fitzpatrick about 1 year ago
I agree that Sanders could have become the best of all time. Sanders put up some amazing numbers in a short career on a terrible team. Imagine if he had played on a good team and had a longer career - he could have broken every rushing record out there.
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Anonymous about 1 year ago
Before Marshall Faulk there was a guy in Buffalo named Thurman Thomas. He was the epitome of versatility. Thurman was used as a receiver in Buffalo's offense as well and I believe that Faulk's coaches patterned his game off of Thurman's because he possessed that same skill set. Thurman is also a Hall of Famer. Show some respect, Tomlinson shouldn't even be recognized before Thomas.
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Joe Rogers about 1 year ago
Wow I seriously am at a lose of words. You put OJ Simpson on your list and ignore Thurman Thomas??
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Devlan Sheahan about 1 year ago
OJ ran for 2,000 yards. Don't criticize the choice of OJ, I find the selection of Bettis a little odd...especially when you leave off of the list Earl Campbell, I believe he was one of the fastest to 10,000 yards...plus he was the most powerful runner i've ever seen footage of
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Joe Rogers about 1 year ago
Sure OJ was better, and by better i mean more yards, at running then Thomas was. BUT you have to take everything into consideration. Thomas provided much more then running, he was constantly producing in the passing game, and he even excelled in pass blocking. And yes he was a great runner who helped Buffalo reach 4 straight supwerbowls. You don't agree with me? Well the Hall of Fame does.
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Rod Smart about 1 year ago
His off the field problems aside, OJ deserves to be there.
The fastest player ever to play in the NFL.
Everybody in the stadium knew he was going to get the ball, and they still couldn't do anything about it.
2,003 rushing yards in a 14 game season is pretty impressive.
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Jeremy Kaufman about 1 year ago
My bad, Thurman Thomas probably could have made this list, possibly over Eric Dickerson. As much as I was tempted to though, I couldn't leave O.J off. If it wasn't for his horrific off- the- field acts, I probably would have had to place him even higher up.
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Joe Rogers about 1 year ago
Good to know not putting Thomas up there was a mistake. But I can't argue OJ being on the list either.
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Rob Calonge about 1 year ago
http://www.nfl.com/players/profile?id=JAC631960
Bo knows running - Career average of 5.4 ypc is better than even Jim Brown. Brown was quoted as saying that Bo may have been better than him. For Brown to give anyone props like that is huge. Due to longevity, I would say that Bo wasn't number 1, but to even think for a minute that Emmit Smith, Thurman Thomas, O.J. Simpson, or Jerome Bettis were in the same conversation is laughable. No offense, they're all great runners, but in the top 10 greatest? Questionable at best. Thomas and Simpson could actually make a case, but Emmit Smith or Jerome Bettis aren't even the greatest of their respective franchises!
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jeremy turner about 1 year ago
THANK YOU FINALLY SOMEONE UNDERSTANDS HOW INSANE BO JACKSON WAS. I AM AN EAGLES FAN AND BO IS MY FAVORITE (AND THE BEST) ATHLETE EVER.
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Jeremy Kaufman about 1 year ago
It's true, Bo Jackson was amazing. If only he committed to football and played longer, who knows how great he coulda been.
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Stew Winkel about 1 year ago
Great article and a great debate. I saw the end of Payton' career but most of my memories of him are based on film. the best i have ever watched is barry sanders. i have never seen a football player like him, where every time he touched the ball, everyone watching would hold their breath because you knew there was a chance of seeing something remarkable. i will disagree with one of your selections - jerome bettis should not even be in consideration.
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Jeremy Kaufman about 1 year ago
Ok, I probably did list Bettis too high on my list. However, I felt he deserved some kind of recognition, given the fact that no pure power back has ever dominated even nearly close to his level.
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Jeff Little about 1 year ago
Nice Article. Good debate, I wouldn't have Jerome Bettis on the list. I love the bus and what he was able to do but top ten? no. Gale Sayers needs to be on the list. Marcus Allen needs to be higher than #9. I like LT but wouldn't put him on the list because he's still playing. I like the other selections on the list.
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Jeremy Kaufman about 1 year ago
I originally had Gale Sayers on the list, but his career was way, way too short. Even if you doubled his career numbers, he still wouldn't have the statistics to justify a high place on the list. It's true that he had immense talent, but in football longevity is half the journey.
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John Fennelly about 1 year ago
This list is not bad, but I agree with some of the feedback
Gale Sayers was unbelievable.
Earl Campbell was unstoppable.
Franco Harris continues to be underrated.
John Riggins was one of the game's best pile movers
and that's just a few that are missing....
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Jeremy Kaufman about 1 year ago
All great points, and each and every one of those names were very strongly considered. However, when you're limited to picking only 10 players, alot of very great ones are inheritably gonna be left out.
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Grant Peters about 1 year ago
Bettis shouldn't be on that list. Earl Cambell, Tony Dorsett, Larry Czonka, Curtis Martin, and Thurman Thomas were all better in my opinion. And Allen and Dickerson are better as well. Also I think LT is too high. But, if you get 10 guys to make a list, you'll get 10 different lists, it's all a matter of opinion.
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Devlan Sheahan about 1 year ago
We can agree it'd be easier to make a top 25
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Pat Murray about 1 year ago
I like the article. I'm a big fan of LT even from the east coast. He's true class in a game that is often about showmanship. I'm not positive that he has earned number five on the list of top 10 all-time RB's though. I believe when it's all said and done he'll be at the top of the list, but I think at this point he has a little while to go. On the biased side of things it is tough not to see Curtis Martin on this list as a Jet fan but I can't think of one guy on there that shouldn't be. You'll never please everyone, theres always going to be the "you can't possibly have forgotten about so and so" debate.
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Sean Stancill about 1 year ago
I don't think its fair to deprive O.J. Simpson of his rightful high ranking because of what he may or may not have did in his personal life. The fact is the man played hard on the field and should be placed higher than what you ranked him.
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Jeremy Kaufman about 1 year ago
I don't feel that's how it works in sports anymore..........look at these examples for instance..........
1) Roger Goodell has suspended players such as Vick and Pacman for their off the field conduct and severely dampered their careers, for crimes much less severe than that of Simpson.
2) Pete Rose was left out of the hall of fame for gambling. I think a murder is much worse than that.
3) Bonds, Mcguire, and others will likely lose their place in baseball history due to ALLEGED steroid use. In addition, they are being finger- pointed not only because of their steroid use, since supposedly countless players have used steroids within the last 20 years, but even more so cuz of the damage they have done to the sports reputation.
You see, by hindering football's image by enforcing the stereotype that football players are violent criminals, a small part of Simpson's legacy should be taken away, at least in my opinion.
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jeremy turner about 1 year ago
durable (emmit smith) doesn't equal great (his O line was great though). durable means lucky actually i'd say, with a splash of toughness.
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Jeremy Kaufman about 1 year ago
I'm guessing you've never played competitive football then loll......As a collegiate rugby be player and a running back in football at a lower level, I'll have to disagree.
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jeremy turner about 1 year ago
listen, sweet name by the way, played plenty of high level sports. obviously emmit smith was very good but, admit his amazing o-line and not getting hurt/longevity (lucky) was a huge part of his record. reminds me of a cal ripken type actually in those respects. There are so many rbs with more talent than him its not even funny. i guess which means it should be an even better story that he was able to get the record.
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Jeremy Kaufman about 1 year ago
now your catching on. It's true that Emmitt was far from the most talented back ever, but to me that only makes his accomplishments that much greater. And yea, of course the O-line has something to do with it, but hey, if your not gonna take points away from Brady or Manning for their great lines, I guess we gotta treat the running backs the same way.
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Jeff Little about 1 year ago
Jeremy I have to disagree with your statements about Gale Sayers "but his career was way, way too short." & "Even if you doubled his career numbers, he still wouldn't have the statistics to justify a high place on the list. It's true that he had immense talent, but in football longevity is half the journey."
His Journey took him to the Hall of Fame for a reason. Meaning with the information that you apparently have the Hall voted him in regardless. The guy had a devastating knee injury in the 60's when medical technology wasn't as advanced as it is now. If the medical technology was better he would've played longer. In an era where there weren't 32 teams and the teams didn't play 16 games a season. The guy had more speed, cutting & change of direction skills than anyone on your list when healthy. It appears that you based your article on the players statistics alone, stats alone don't always tell the story. The Hall of Fame statistic should count for a whole lot more even if You personally never saw the guy play due to him playing before your time. I also agree with Sean you can't discount a guy on the field for what he did off the field. I read your thoughts but it they weren't exactly relevent in terms of Orenthal. All the examples given were on guys that won't see the Hall of Fame - orenthal was already in the Hall. Everyone has an opinion of this guy right or wrong but his career was long over before what this generation knows him for and I doubt that will get him kicked out of the Hall for what he did or didn't do. This isn't a personal attack Jeremy just stating a fact.
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Jeremy Kaufman about 1 year ago
Don't get me wrong, Gale Sayers was an absolutely amazing player, and he undoubtedly deserves to be in the hall. However, you can't declare someone a hall of famer after only 7 seasons. If that was the case, then everyone out there who says that "L.T hasn't played long enough yet to be considered" is being hypocritical. And as far as the differences in medical tech, its def a true statement, although Jim Brown and the rest of them had to deal with the same dilemmas. Overall, Sayers is still a legend, but just barely missing the cut for my personal top 10.
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Jeremy Kaufman about 1 year ago
Also, you should note that every running back on my list is either already in the hall of fame, or will clearly make the hall of fame once eligible for consideration.
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Bob Warja about 1 year ago
Good article. Walter Payton was the best of all time. He could run, throw, pass and kick. He was tough - he would pop right up after a big hit and he dealt as much punishment to the defender as they did to him.
Jim Brown had a great line. The year after he retired, his backup ran for 1,000 yards. And that was in 14 games when 1,000 years was more meaningful. Payton had a lousy line except for late in his career.
And Payton got all those yards despite never having a good QB so teams knew the Bears were running and still couldn't stop him. He was not only the best running back, but the best football player ever.
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scott serles about 1 year ago
Great list, but no Earl Campbell? Screw all the stats, this guy was unbelievable in his prime. I would Have put Marshall Faulk at #3, right behind Brown and Payton.
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Andrew Schiff about 1 year ago
I agree with the above. Earl Campbell was much better than Jerome Bettis. By far. So was Tony Dorsett, the former Dallas Cowboy. Franco Harris, too. Other than that, good list. You are also missing Paul Horning of the Green Bay Packers and Gayle Sayers of the Bears. They were both better the Bettis. He is a future Hall of Famer. But not even in the top 20.
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Jeremy Kaufman about 1 year ago
I admit that I definitely did take a risk in putting Jerome Bettis on my list. While I undoubtedly consider Campbell and Sayers to have much more talent than Bettis, I weighed longevity very highly in my consideration; a feature that neither of the aforementioned backs had. However, I do completely see where my criticism is comming from.
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Andrew Schiff about 1 year ago
You never saw Campbell play. He was dominant. He had games that Jerome Bettis wished he'd had. 200 yard games. He was the Houston Oilers offense.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TGUYLbsf514&feature=related.
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Jeremy Kaufman about 1 year ago
Ironically I actually have seen the video before......There's no doubt he was super- talented, and definitely more talented than Bettis, as I said in my previous comment. However, I simply gave Bettis the extra credit for longevity. At the running back position, I consider that to be one of the most important things in the world.
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Andrew Schiff about 1 year ago
He didn't last as long because he wasn't sharing the running back chores with someone else like Bettis did when he was in Pittsburgh. Look at their carries per season. Had Bettis ran as much as Campbell did, he would never have lasted as long.
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Jerry DeBoer about 1 year ago
Good article. I can't say I agree with everything on the list, but that's the fun of starting these debates. I would have to say that Barry Sanders is the greatest ever. He could do things that I don't think we will ever see again. Also, I probably wouldn't have put Jerome Bettis on the list.
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