Top 10 NFL Running Backs of All-Time
TweetThe average career of a NFL running back is about three years. Most come and go without notice. However, there have been some running backs that have completely changed the way we look at offenses and defense and their contribution to the game cannot be understated.
10.) Curtis Martin – New England Patriots/New York Jets (1995-2005)
Career accomplishments:
- 5x Pro Bowler (1995, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2004)
- 2x All-Pro Selection (2001, 2004)
- 1995 Offensive Rookie of the Year
- 2004 Rushing Champion (1,697 yards)
- Second player to rushed for 1,000 yards in his first 10 seasons (Barry Sanders)
Career Statistics:
| Rushes | Rushing Yards | Yards Per Carry | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Total TD | Fumbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,518 | 14,101 | 4.0 | 484 | 3,329 | 100 | 29 |
A lot of people are going to think I’m crazy to put Martin on this list over some of the other greats. Simply put, Martin was one of the most underrated players in NFL history and made this list because of his consistency and longevity. Martin hit the millennium yard mark in ten straight seasons while compiling 95 touchdowns during that time. Martin was a well-rounded and extremely durable running back. In fact, he only missed four games in that span while accumulating 16,000 total yards. Martin won Rookie of the Year in 1995 when he amassed over 1,700 total yards and 15 total touchdowns. Martin averaged over 23 touches a game for his career and was a good receiver out of the backfield, evidenced by his 40+ catches in nine consecutive seasons. He was always dependable, but never won a Super Bowl and has a list-low 4.0 yards per carry.
9.) Shaun Alexander – Seattle Seahawks (2000-2008)
Career accomplishments:
- 3x Pro Bowler (2003, 2004, 2005)
- 1x All-Pro Selection (2005)
- Named to 2000s All-Decade Team
- 2005 NFL MVP
- 28 TDs in 2005, a then-NFL record
Career Statistics:
| Rushes | Rushing Yards | Yards Per Carry | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Total TD | Fumbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,187 | 9,453 | 4.3 | 215 | 1,520 | 112 | 31 |
Alexander averaged .91 touchdowns a game, which is near the top of this list. He ran for 14 or more touchdowns in five seasons in a row and in 2005, he shattered the record books by rushing for 1,880 yards and a then-single season record 28 touchdowns. Alexander made three Pro Bowl teams along with a spot on the NFL All-Decade team for the 2000s. He was also named NFL MVP in 2005. Although he and the Seahawks fell short at Super Bowl XL, Alexander will always be remembered as a touchdown machine and a fantasy stud. Unfortunately, Alexander ran out of gas in a hurry. Injuries started to pile up and eventually finished his career. He has become a forgotten man after his injuries forced him to retire.
8.) Earl Campbell – Houston Oilers (1978-1985)
Career accomplishments:
- 5× Pro Bowler (1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1983)
- 3x All-Pro Selection (1978, 1979, 1980)
- 3x Offensive Player of the Year (1978, 1979, 1980)
- 1978 Offensive Rookie of the Year and Named to 1970s All-Decade Team
- 1979 NFL MVP
Career Statistics:
| Rushes | Rushing Yards | Yards Per Carry | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Total TD | Fumbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,187 | 9,407 | 4.3 | 121 | 806 | 74 | 43 |
Campbell is my favorite running back of all-time. The way he ran with reckless abandon, punishing defenses with his shoulders, is always some of the best highlights to watch. Campbell ran the ball so hard that he literally ran himself into the ground. It is well-known that Campbell has severe damage to his body and now gets around mostly in a wheelchair. Campbell was named to five Pro Bowl teams, selected as an All-Pro three times, and won the 1979 NFL MVP. Campbell ran for over 1,300 yards and double digit touchdowns in five of his first six seasons. In college, Campbell was a two-time All-American and won the 1977 Heisman Trophy. Campbell only had five healthy seasons and although his vicious running style cut his career short, it did not miss the Hall of Fame or this list.
7.) Eric Dickerson – Los Angeles Rams/Indianapolis Colts (1983-1993)
Career accomplishments:
- 6x Pro Bowler (1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989)
- 5x All-Pro Selection (1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988)
- 1983 Offensive Rookie of the Year, 1986 Offensive Player of the Year
- Named to 1980s All-Decade Team
- Single season rushing record (2,105)
Career Statistics:
| Rushes | Rushing Yards | Yards Per Carry | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Total TD | Fumbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,996 | 13,259 | 4.4 | 281 | 2,137 | 96 | 78 |
Dickerson was named the 1983 Offensive Rookie of the Year and the 1986 Offensive Player of the Year. He broke the single season rushing record in 1984 when he rushed for 2,105 yards, a record which still stands today. Dickerson was named to six Pro Bowl teams and was selected to the All-Pro team five times. He is a member of the 1980s All-Decade team and the Rams have retired his #29 jersey. Like most great running backs, Dickerson started his career with a bang. He ran for almost 7,000 total yards and 55 touchdowns in his first four seasons. Dickerson missed 13 games in 1987 but rebounded by rushing for almost 4,000 yards and 26 touchdowns in the next three seasons. His age did eventually catch up with him. He ran for a measly 91 yards in his final season with the Falcons.
6.) Walter Payton – Chicago Bears (1975-1987)
Career accomplishments:
- 9× Pro Bowler (1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986)
- 6x All-Pro Selection (1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985)
- Named to 1970s and 1980s All-Decade Teams and 75th Anniversary All-Time Team
- 1977 NFL MVP, Most consecutive starts for a RB (170)
- Super Bowl XX Champion
Career Statistics:
| Rushes | Rushing Yards | Yards Per Carry | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Total TD | Fumbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,838 | 16,726 | 4.4 | 492 | 4,538 | 125 | 86 |
“Sweetness” made nine Pro Bowls, six All-Pro team selections, and won the 1977 NFL MVP. Payton was a part of the famous 1985 Chicago Bears team and was named to the NFL’s 75th anniversary All-Time team. The Bears retired Payton’s #34 jersey. He was also named to the NFL’s 1970s and 1980s All-Decade teams and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993. When he retired, he was the NFL’s all-time leading rusher. Payton ran with beauty and grace. He was all about business and never celebrated after touchdowns, something that he was immensely respected for. Emmitt Smith has called Walter Payton his idol. Although Payton had a slow start in his rookie season, he exploded in the next six seasons after that, averaging almost 1,500 yards and double digit touchdowns. After some minor setbacks in 1982, Payton came back strong and carried the Bears offense for another four seasons, culminating in a Super Bowl victory. Payton also had a excellent hands for a running back and was a good receiving threat out of the backfield. His durability cannot be questioned either; Payton had 300+ carries in ten seasons. The only real problem Payton was that he averaged less than .7 touchdowns a game.
5.) LaDainian Tomlinson – San Diego Chargers/NY Jets (2001-present)
Career accomplishments prior to 2010 season:
- 5× Pro Bowler (2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007)
- 4x All-Pro Selection (2004, 2005, 2006, 2007)
- Named to 2000s All-Decade Team
- 2006 NFL MVP
- Most TDs in a single season (31)
Career Statistics:
| Rushes | Rushing Yards | Yards Per Carry | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Total TD | Fumbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,099 | 13,404 | 4.3 | 582 | 4,323 | 159 | 31 |
Tomlinson was named the 2006 NFL MVP and is the NFL’s all-time record holder for single season touchdowns, single season rushing touchdowns, most points scored in a single season and most consecutive games with a touchdown. LT ran for over 1,000 yards in his the first eight seasons. He has also scored ten or more touchdowns in all nine of his NFL seasons. He is a first ballot Hall of Famer and top five back on this list. However, Tomlinson’s Achilles’ Heel has been his postseason performances. He is definitely the worst postseason performer on this list. Nonetheless, his regular season accolades cannot be ignored and he was the most dominating back in the NFL for almost a decade. The good news for him is that he seems to be heading into a good situation with the New York Jets and may have enough gas in the tank to get the job done in January.
4.) Marshall Faulk – Indianapolis Colts/St. Louis Rams (1994-2005)
Career accomplishments:
- 7x Pro Bowler (1994, 1995, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002)
- 3x All-Pro Selection (1999, 2000, 2001)
- 1994 Offensive Rookie of the Year and 3x Offensive Player of the Year (1999, 2000, 2001)
- 2000 NFL MVP
- Super Bowl XXXIV Champion
Career Statistics:
| Rushes | Rushing Yards | Yards Per Carry | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Total TD | Fumbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,836 | 12,279 | 4.3 | 767 | 6,875 | 136 | 36 |
Faulk is the best receiving back of all-time and was a huge part of the Rams early 2000s success. He won Super Bowl XXXIV, named MVP in 2000, named to seven Pro Bowls and selected as an All-Pro three times. Before he joined the Rams, Faulk was named the 1994 Rookie of the Year with the Colts. Faulk was a member of one of the most high profile offenses of all-time known as “The Greatest Show on Turf”. His number was retired by the Rams and he is one of few backs to record 100 or more rushing touchdowns. With his rushing accolades alone, he would probably make this list, but what set him apart from other backs was his ability to be a receiving threat. In fact, Faulk rushed AND received for more than 1,000 yards in 1999. He could line up anywhere on the field and be a reliable weapon in any situation. The fact that he averaged almost 64 receptions a year is almost unbelievable for a running back. He also accumulated almost 7,000 yards receiving and caught 36 touchdowns.
3.) Emmitt Smith – Dallas Cowboys (1990-2004)
Career accomplishments:
- 8x Pro Bowler (1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1998, 1999)
- 4x All-Pro Selection (1992, 1993, 1994, 1995)
- 1990 Offensive Rookie of the Year and Named to 1990s All-Decade Team, 1993 NFL MVP
- 3x Super Bowl Champion (XXVII, XXVIII, XXX), Super Bowl XXVIII MVP
- Career leader in rushing TDs, attempts, yards, and 100-yard games
Career Statistics:
| Rushes | Rushing Yards | Yards Per Carry | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Total TD | Fumbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4,409 | 18,355 | 4.2 | 515 | 3,224 | 175 | 54 |
Emmitt is a Hall of Famer that has achieved more success than any other back on this list. He won three Super Bowls, named to eight Pro Bowls, selected as an All-Pro six times, and is the holder of multiple NFL records. Smith was the 1993 NFL MVP and hit the 1,000 yard mark a ridiculous eleven straight seasons. Smith has rushed for more yards and has crossed the goal line more than any other running back in NFL history. No running back in NFL history was better than Smith at following and reading his blocks. Emmitt scored ten or more touchdowns in nine NFL seasons and only missed 14 games in 15 seasons, which is phenomenal for a running back. The NFL’s all-time leading rusher is not #1 because of the teams that he played on. The 1990s Cowboys were so stacked with talent that they won three Super Bowls in four years. Smith also ran behind one of the top offensive lines to ever play football. The fact is that Smith has achieved impressive numbers, but he did it with more help than anyone else as well.
2.) Barry Sanders – Detroit Lions (1989-1998)
Career accomplishments:
- 10x Pro Bowler (1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998)
- 6x All-Pro Selection (1989, 1990, 1991, 1994, 1995, 1997)
- 1989 Offensive Rookie of the Year
- 2x Offensive Player of the Year (1994, 1997)
- 1997 NFL MVP
Career Statistics:
| Rushes | Rushing Yards | Yards Per Carry | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Total TD | Fumbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3,062 | 15,269 | 5.0 | 352 | 2,921 | 109 | 27 |
Sanders may have been the hardest guy to tackle in the history of the league. His center of gravity was lower than most player’s knees. Sanders never rushed for less than 1,000 yards and actually averaged more than 1,500 yards per year. Sanders was productive even in the latter stages of his career. In fact, he ran for more yards in the second half of his career than the first. Barry went to the Pro Bowl every year of his career and only missed six games in ten years. He had no fumbles in 1994 and 1991 and has fumbled less times per carry than any other running back on this list. Sanders was named an All-Pro six times, won the 1989 NFL Rookie of the Year, selected the 1997 NFL Co-MVP and won the 1988 Heisman Trophy. Sanders had huge tree trunk-like legs and used them to run through and around defenders on his way to the end zone. His career ended abruptly but that didn’t stop Sanders from entering the Hall of Fame. He never appeared in a Super Bowl.
1.) Jim Brown – Cleveland Browns (1957-1965)
Career accomplishments:
- 9x Pro Bowler (1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1965)
- 8x All-Pro Selection (1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1963, 1964, 1965)
- Named to 1960s All-Decade Team and 75th Anniversary All-Time Team
- Never missed a game in his career
- 3x NFL MVP (1957, 1958, 1965)
Career Statistics:
| Rushes | Rushing Yards | Yards Per Carry | Receptions | Receiving Yards | Total TD | Fumbles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,359 | 12,312 | 5.2 | 262 | 2,499 | 126 | 57 |
With his unseen combination of size and speed, Brown ran through defenders like a hot knife through butter. Brown was the ultimate iron man running back. He never missed a game throughout his whole career. On average, Brown is only one of two backs to score more than one touchdown per game. Brown rushed for over a 1,000 yards in seven of his nine seasons and the two years that he missed 1,000, he still got over 900 in both. Brown led the league in rushing all but one season in his career. He also scored double digit touchdowns in eight of nine seasons and went to the Pro Bowl every year of his career and was an All-Pro selection eight times. Brown won the NFL MVP three times and was named to the the 1960s NFL All-Decade team. He was also on the 75th anniversary all-time team and averaged over 125 total yards a game. Jim Brown also averaged a list high 5.2 yards per carry. The biggest thing about all these accomplishments is that he did it while playing in 12 and 14 game seasons.
I agree Jim Brown was a great back. Not so sure he was the greatest of all time. Reason being he didnt have to play against the monsters of today. Linebackers that are as big as he was but even faster. What was the average weight of a defensive lineman in that era 250? That is about the average size of a linebacker today.
I wonder how he would have fared if he would have had to play the Steel Curtain twice a year like Earl Campbell did. Or the Ravens twice a year like The Bus did? By the way why he didnt make the list? Whats up with that?
Im just saying the Defenses of the last 30 years had bigger stronger and faster athletes. Im not sure Jim Brown would have been as successful today as he was in the 60″s.
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I think Barry is number one because everyone knew the lions were running the ball and he continually ran circles around defenders and made them look silly. Not to mention he could of easily broke paytons record had he continued to play instead of ending his career short.
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C-Mart definately deserves on the list..I dont think JB is the greatest running back of all time, he was the first great running back. Barry Sanders did it all with no line and made people actually watch the lions besides on Thanksgiving. That right there is impressive.
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Walter Payton only at 6. Alexander at 9. Sorry but thats laughable.
Brown, Payton and Sanders are the Clear Tier 1 runners. Those 3 are in a class by themselves. Alexander
@wharrison. That’s a lazy myth.
1. Sanders was often labelled as a guy who could not run anywhere near as well on grass as he could on turf. Lets look at the numbers though.
TURF
109 games
11,105 yards
5.0 avg
101.1 yards per game
GRASS
44 games
4,254 yards
5.0 avg
96.7 yards per game
His numbers for home/away, and indoors/outdoors are again almost identical. On all 6 categories he averages at least 96.5 yards per game and exactly 5.0 yds per carry. I guess if a lie is told often enough people will begin to believe it.
2. ‘a terrible playoff performances keep him behind Jim Brown.’
First of all Walter Payton played 9 games in the postseason and has the same number of 100 yd games (ONE) as Barry did in 6 games. Payton’s career playoff ypc was also 3.51 compared to Barry’s 4.24. Even Jim Brown had a 3.65 ypc, one 100-yd game and just 1 TD in 4 postseason games. He got shutout just like Barry did (vs Green Bay 1994) in a playoff game. Brown had 8 yds on 7 att vs NY Giants in the 1958 playoffs. Nobody seems to penalise Gale Sayers who never even played a postseason game in his career so why does Barry carry this tag and not the other all-time greats. Maybe its because its fresher in our memory. And please don’t say its because the other 2 won NFL titles. The 85 Bears won because of their brutal D. Payton had little impact in the playoffs that season. The Bears D conceded 10 points in 3 games, the last TD in garbage time in Super Bowl XX. Brown’s teams were loaded with HOFers. Football is a team sport and TEAMS win championships.
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Any list without Gale Sayers in the Top 10 is not credible.
1) Brown
2) Barry Sanders
3) Gale Sayers
4) Sweetness
Then everyone else. I’ll go:
5) Mr. Not Guilty
6) Marshall Faulk
7) Eric Dickerson
8 ) Tony Dorsett
9) Ladanian Tomlinson
10) Earl Campbell
11) Emmitt Smith
12) Terrell Davis
13) Franco Harris
14) Larry Zsonka
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I agree with Jim Brown being #1. People need to stop comparing Jim Brown and his NFL defensive competition to today’s competition because it’s all relative to the era you exist in. Defensive lineman of that era were big burly men and would of stomp the average man of that era as lineman would do the same of today’s average man. Jim Brown was just that much more of a specimen compared to his equivalent competition. They all had the same type of weights, training, coaching and eating regimen so it’s all relative to the era you’re in as it is today. He set all of his records when seasons were only 12 and 14 games; whereas today’s players have 16 games to do it in (with greed, there’ll be 18 games). Brown was a beast… the greatest athlete America has ever produced.
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This list is not the Greatest Running Back for a few seasons list. Greatness is over a sustained period. Sayers doesn’t belong on this list ahead of Emmitt. Ahead of Alexander, yes. Emmitt was a great back at every level he played. During his freshman season at Florida, he had the greatest freshman running back season of all time. Was the Dallas offensive line blocking for him then? Don’t penalize him because he had a good line. All around back. He was a great runner, receiver, blocker, third down back, goalline back, and showed up almost every Sunday.
Same with Brown. You can’t penalize Jim because he was a big man during his time. You wouldn’t penalize someone because he was faster than everybody else. His size is a part of what made him great. Brown first, Smith second.
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Walter is the second best running back of all time. He could block better than emmitt and barry. He could catch out of the backfield better than emmitt and barry. He had more heart than Jim Brown. He had no offensive line in the 70′s. Walter is just better.
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I cant believe you put Shaun Alexander over Gayle Sayers.
Thurman Thomas was better than Alexander also.
Curtis Martin was very good,but more like 14th or 15th best.
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People listen up, theres a good reason why its called the Walter Payton award and not the Emmit Smith or Jim Brown award. Emmit had one of the best offensive lines in the NFL to help him, payton didnt…………..and walter was also a better blocker. #1 of all time- WALTER PAYTON!!!
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this was very interesting to read. i was taking my son through this reading the stats on it all his dad say Payton is the #1 so we were just looking
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and emmitt smith is way over rate. i mean really it took him like 18 seasons to break records he played way to long and most of mis yards were thanks to his offence and he still looked bad out there. sry to pop everyones bubble
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http://www.nfl.com/players/galesayers/profile?id=SAY276861
^sayers^
http://www.nfl.com/players/shaunalexander/profile?id=ALE617460
^alexander^
check it out!
tired of everyone saying sayers was so great. OVERRATED! If you do your research on Sayers, you will see what I’m talking about. Alexander got hurt too early but not before 7 good seasons with 5 of them being great. Sayers had five good seasons with just two of them being great. He’s so overrated; he reminds me of Joe Namath. Well, not that overrated.
Harris and Simpson are arguable with Alexander and Martin yes, but I do not want to hear about Sayers anymore. WOW! Thurman Thomas was also highly considered with Harris and Simpson. If anyone had 1 of those three in their top ten, I think they arguably could be.
Payton is #6 because of his lack of finding pay dirt. His 0.7 td’s per game is one of the lowest on the list, but he could be arguably higher. Not on my list but I wouldn’t be shocked to see him higher on others.
Marion motley! hahahhahaah. yea him and his whole 8 career td’s and 1600 career rushing yds. PLEASE tell me you’re not serious.
Joe Perry was pretty good but 0.3 td’s per game is half of anybody on this list. ANYBODY.
Jim Taylor did not make the list for me but def a strong candidate. I like Jim a lot.
Chris Johnson, maybe one day but he is far from this list right now. We’ll talk about him again in ten years and see what he did.
Tony Dorsett wasn’t far from making the list either. Like perry, his lack of finding pay dirt is mostly what kept him out.
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Interesting, interesting. Here are the top 5 running backs from the 1980′s: http://www.80sfootball.com/home/2010/12/17/the-top-5-running-backs-of-the-1980s.html
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[...] NFL & AFL Football Statistics – Pro-Football-Reference.com compared with the careers of Top 10 NFL Running Backs of All-Time He isn't the greatest to date, so why would he be the greatest of all time? Reply [...]
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You got number 1 correct. None of the others make much difference at this point. Any football expert above the age of 45 will tell you, without hesitation, Jim Brown was not only the greatest NFL running back of all time. He may have been the greatest athlete of all time. Anyone who actually saw him play would literally have their breath taken away. He was a man playing against children…and every opposing player knew it. Baltimore Colts great defensive end Big Daddy Lipscomb [6' 8" - 280lbs] stated to a reporter before a game … that he was tired of all this praise heaped on this ‘Jim Brown fella” and if he tried to go around his side; Lipscomb would stop him cold. Well, it turns out Brown heard the interview and demanded he run in no other direction but right at Big Daddy. Brown gained 187 yards that day. Lipscomb had to be taken out or the game at the start of the 4th quarter. He spent the next 3 days in a local hospital. Nearly 50 years after his retirement, Brown still holds many ‘all time’ records; but the one thst matters most is ‘yards per carry [5.2]!! That’s kind of what it’s all about isn’t it?
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I think it’s damn near consensus who the best runners in pro football history were: Gale Sayers, Jim Brown, Walter Payton and Barry Sanders. Everyone else is behind them.
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Anyone who excluded Earl Campbell from their top ten list is a de facto fool and has no credibility. Never was there a more fearsome back. The dude is my all time favorite. Amazes me to see some of the dilettantes here overlooking him.
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No way Shaun Alexander deserves to be on the TOP TEN LIST. He is a top 20 candidate…maybe even a top 15, but there are PLENTY of other RBs that deserves to be on this list – including O.J. Simpson and Marcus Allen. Honestly, i think O.J. Simpson isn’t on this list because of what he did outside of football.
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This is all good and stuff. However if I had to give the ball to any back ever on my own 1 yrd line it would be Bo Jackson. All time…no. But one time…all day any day. He was quite simply the most explosive back I ever saw.
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[...] Unassisted Sports: Top 10 NFL Running Backs of All-Time [...]
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The thing that separates Sayers, Brown, Sanders and Payton, my top 4, is their offensive people(Including quarterback) could never stop blocking, because you could never be sure they were down. Spectators held their breath when these guys had the football in their hands, because you were never sure of what you might see. They didn’t make the first guy miss, they routinely made the first THREE miss, and if they got into the open field watch. I am talking about about guys capable of running with a football. Nothing else.
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Where in the hell is BO JACKSON?
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OJ Simpson is getting more love in the can than he is getting in these rankings. Terrible person who was once a very high end running back. Considering the terrible teams he played with….and,Buffalo, is not South Beach. If Barry or O.J. ran behind the O-line Emmitt was blessed with….we can all speculate,but, can all agree their overall numbers would have greatly increased.
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What about Marcus Allen? Much better than Shaun Alexander and Curtis Martin as neither will make the HOF .. Marcus was first ballot HOFamer..
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as of now payton, sanders, and brown should always be top 3 no matter what. they can all be re-arranged in anyway. and smith is at #4. seriously though? payton isnt even top 5 on a runningback list? even though he made top 5 in the top 100 players of all time list? i generally agree with this list but put putting payton at 6th and putting mr. run out of bounds and misses AFC championship game due to bogus injury that doctors even cleared him to play tomlinson over payton is such an insult to him and his impact on the sport.
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Its hard to have a top ten list cause everyone’s got their own opinion and different era’s had different players. Back in the 60′s and 70′s players were getting their asses pounded for peanuts pay and some worked at different jobs in the offseason!
My List would have to be 60′s70′s then 80′s-90′s then 2000 to present
1960′s/70′s
1. Jim Brown
2. OJ
3. Gayle Sayers
4. Dick Butkus
5.Franco Harris
6. Earl Campbell
7. Larry Zsonka
8. Tony Dorsett
2000-Present
1.LaDainian Tomlinson
2.The Bus
3.Curtis Martin
4.Fred Taylor
5.Adrian Petersen-May be best
6.Chris Johnson-fastest
7.Shaun Alexander
1980′s-90′s
1. Walter Payton
1. Barry Sanders(tie w/Payton)
2. Marcus Allen
3.Eric Dickerson-Emmitt Smith
4. Thurman Thomas
5. Marshall Faulk
6. Roger Craig
THERE ARE MORE FROM THE 30′S TO THE 50′S BUT THE GAME WASN’T PLAYED THE SAME AS THE LAST 50YRS
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Walter Payton
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Anyone who out of hand does not know that Jim Brown was easily the greatest running back of all time simply doesn’t know football history. Although his stats still rank in the top five in every catagory [playing a 12 game season] and the most important ‘yards per carry remains number 1 over 50 years…and probably will never be broken., The most often used reason given for their opinion is “the opposition just wasn’t as good or huge as it is today. {Big Daddy Lipscomb, Geno Marcete, Rosie Greer, Deacon Jones, Merlon Olsen,Lamar Lundy, Sam Huff, etc., etc.] these are just a few ‘back in the day’ examples of ‘the oposition’ these men and several others are already considered the “greatest of all time”. The defensive folks playing today are ‘sissy boys’ compared to their counter parts today. Oh…one more thing…Brown was 6″2′, 232 lbs.of rock who ran the 100 yard dash in 9.4 and could turn on a dime.
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Best running back hands down is Barry Sanders! Look at the old school Jim Brown highlights now think to yourself what Sanders would have done to those small Linebackers and slooow players. Barry Sanders embarrassed defense with speedsters Dion Sanders and D.Green just to name a few. If you look at the highlights of Jim Brown half of his plays went to the house because he broke tackles of undersized players. The other half of his big plays happened where he reversed field and cut back across the grain. Do you really think Jim Brown would ever have a chance in hell to do that in the NFL today? YOU KNOW THE ANSWER! What the speed in today’s NFL does is cut down on reversing field DUE TO THE FASTER PURSUIT OF THE DEFENSES! If you look at Brown’s highlights on You Tube, you see that he is in the grasp on almost in the grasp of multiple defenders meaning that today’s bigger, stronger, faster defenders would have wrapped him up multiple times! Short gain no TD, no highlight end of argument! Barry you’re the best!
P.S. Sander’s is also a classy guy he ended his career early so he wouldn’t break Walter Payton’s career rushing record, a record that he would have broke that year if he didn’t retire!
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This list is laughable! It holds no weight when discussing the greatinst running backs of all time.
While the top 3 could be interchangable (Sanders, Payton, Brown)
The fact that this person lists Marshall Faulk and Ladainian Tomlinson ahead of Walter Payton shows this person has no clue when it comes to NFL history, or the greatest running backs to play in history.
1- Barry Sanders
2- Walter Payton
3- Jim Brown
4- O.J. Simpson
5- Gale Sayers
6- Marcus Allen
7- Tony Dorsett
8- Thurman Thomas
9- Ladianian Tomlinson
10- Thurman Thomas
Yes, notice Emmitt Smith is not on the list? Emmitt was the most OVERRATED running back in history. His numbers were a product of his team. Give Barry Sanders or Walter Payton Emmitt’s line and Johnston at FB and let’s eee their numbers.
And give Emmitt Barry Sander’s line or Walter Payton’s line and he wouldn’t even be in the discussion.
It’s a dam shame Emmitt Smith is the all time leading rusher as far as yards go, because it’s not indicative of what he was as a player.
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marshall faulk over walter payton????????????????? what a fucking joke
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Barry Sanders deserves number 1. The only reason he retired is because Walter Payton died and he was friends with Barry so Barry didn’t want to break Paytons records so he quit
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The running backs who are the foundation for such a discussion is Jim Brown, Walter Payton, Earl Campbell, and Barry Sanders. The reason why I say that is because these are the RB’s who’s importance, legacy, in-game impact can’t be measured by numbers and difficult to express in words. It goes beyond glamor and into glory. They were glorious on the field similar to that of Gladiators of ancient times. Against adversity, with little to no help, they overcame it with sheer will to not be denied and determination to take their team as far as they could.
Its break my heart to see Barry Sanders and Earl Campbell leave this game with no Ring they truly deserved it. But that’s what make this game so good is that its a team effort. But if you want to see greatness all by it self, look at these 4. Screw this list, these 4 are the greatest Running Backs the NFL has ever seen.
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Shaun Alexander LMAO!!!
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Walter Payton out matches everyone. Emmit Smith was good, Jim Brown is just known to be good. Payton is always puttingup a fight and got his career shortened. Nothing against Emmit, but Walter is the better guy
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Somebody said dick butkus . Didnt know hé was à linebacker lol
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For Realz? Where is Gale Sayers? And if Shaun Alexander is on this list. Then so should Brian Westbrook. And I think Barry Sanders should be number one. For being the best running back in the leauge on so many VERY forgetable detroit lions teams.
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what walter payton number 6 he should at least be in top 3 barry sanders number 2!! he should be number 1 walter payton number 2 jim brown number 3 you dont even add gale sayers or o.j. simpson and add shuan alexander what .
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walter payton6?what he deserves to be at least in the top 3. and barry sanders number 1 he rushed for 15,269 in about 10 or 9 seasons number 2 what!!. o.j. simpson nor gale sayers were added and you added shuan alexander buul crap.
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How the hell is Marcus Allen not on this list,definitely better than Alexander and Martin. Not to mention he is a first ballot hall of gamer who was pretty much robbed of 2years of playing time in his prime because Al Davis decided to relegate him to the bench because of Bo Jackson! Should definitely be on this considering he is still among the all-time leaders in rushing touchdowns. Some would say he played forever. True. However I would say that’s a testiment to how great of an athlete he truly was to be that productive for that long. Not to mention he was one hell of a reciever as well.
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No O.J. Simpson?….invalidates this sham of a list.
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You can’t compare athletes like that with out factoring in sports science. If Barry was playing back then he wouldn’t have been as big or fast in many respects do to the diet and weight training comparisons. Imagine Jim Brown with today’s advancements in training and diet. Jim Brown and Barry Sanders are one and two period.
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I think people over look what Dickerson did in his early career. People talk alot about Jim Brown, but Dickerson reached 10,000 yards 8 games faster than jim brown???? And I belive he is the fastest to reach 10,000 yards…. I have Barry Sanders at #1 and Dickerson at #2
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can I say Franko O Harris was on of the most forward runners of all time, esp. for Pitt. PA. Watching Marcus Allen,Walter Payton,& oj was the most entertaning crazy runnning backs & the best!! In that order.
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I WISH BO JACKSON COULD BE ME? NO NOT ME. HE HAS MADE A GREAT IMPACT ON THE WAY REAL SPORTS SHOULD BE! NOT PUSSY ASS $$$$, IT RUINED TEAM SPORTS FOR ME & MY BEST!
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Just wait Adrian Peterson will be number one of all time
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Walter payton only at 6 you got to be kidding me! Jim brown is good of course. why isn’t gale sayers in there come on!
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SWEETNESS AT #6!?! Payton is easily better than Marshall Faulk and LaDainian Tomlinson. Emmitt Smith had one of the best and biggest offensive lines of all time in front of him and was not the only threat on the cowboys with Troy Aikman, Michael Irvin, Jay Novacek, and Alvin Harper. Payton was in the same situation as Barry Sanders. Hew was their only offense. You couldn’t name any of the QBs Walter played with before Jim McMahon, and even with McMahon he was the biggest part of their offense. Walter Payton should be at least #3 or #2, but I wouldn’t put him ahead of jim Brown.
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Why is Shaun Alexander on this list… That’s ridiculous.
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I think that it is ridiculous not to include Gale Sayers in any top ten. That guy was great and never played on an average team.
O.J. Simpson loses points for the type of person that he is, but he was also very great. Once he broke the line of scrimmage, I never saw a better running back.
Had he remained healthy, I think that Bo Jackson would have been the standard. With all due respect to Jim Brown and Walter Payton, Bo Jackson was 230 pounds of solid muscle and ran 9.3 hundred yard dash. Now thats a stud.
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Payton at 6th really ruins any chance this list had at being taken seriously. Shaun Alexander in the list over so many all time greats is sad too. Thurman Thomas, Terrell Davis, Franco Harris, Jerome Bettis, Gale Sayers, and quite a few more deserve Alexanders spot.
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what, no OJ? i mean forget the legal stuff, he was good.
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Author must be on crack. Gayle Sayers 5.0 per carry-Shaun Alexander 4.3.
Many others better than Alexander (OJ, Dorsett,Harris,Thomas,Davis,etc.)
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Knocking E. Smith for having a great line is really pointless. Dallas was also in the toughest division for most of his playing career. Just think from 1987 until 1996 every superbowl champ was either from the NFC east or the 49ners. None of the guys on that list had to face teams like that two times a year not even Barry Sanders. Smith had a backup. And if the O-line was such a factor in his success, why don’t we remember that guy? Because the Cowboys offense fell flat without Smith in the game.
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@ Anyone who likes Sanders over Brown:
Barry Sanders ran in an era completely unlike Jim Brown’s. Jim Brown did what he did when NFL O-lines COULDN’T USE THEIR HANDS to block. Yet, Jim Brown has highly favorable #s running behind the Browns’ shoulderblocking Oline. Plus, Brown played in far, far fewer games. Jim Brown in his peak was, and still is, regarded as one of the world’s greatest athletes. He was 6’2 (!) and 232 lbs. Combine that with sub-4.5 speed and brute strength and you have a power back that runs like a scat.
Surprised not to see Bo Jackson. The guy ran a 4.12 and rushed for 2k yards while playing in the MLB.
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Shaun Alexander & Curtis Martin flat out are not in the Top 10. Emmitt no way in hell is better than Dorsett, Sayers, OJ or Earl. Maybe 9 or 10. Faulk was a very solid back, I’d have him at 9.
This list is toilet paper without OJ Simpson and Gayle Sayers. Is this author 25 years old?
Top Five:
1) Jim Brown – also possibly the best lacrosse player the US ever produced and one of our best all-around athletes up there with Jordan, Jackie Robinson, Carl Lewis and Jesse Owens. The man could do anything.
2) Barry Sanders – human highlight reel. Unique moves on just about every play.
3) Walter Payton – fast, tough and unstoppable with little help in Chicago at the time
4) Tony Dorsett – far better than Emmitt just sticking his head down and running straight through a 10 foot wide hole
5) OJ Simpson – 2,000 yards rushing in a season, like Payton had nothing to work with in Buffalo
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BARRY SANDERS has got to be #1 best running back. if you want to see Barry then you can go on YouTube and look up Barry Sanders highlights! its cool
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Barry Sanders has got to be #1!!
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to brian. dont put up nonsense about a player that you dont have a clue about their stats. emmitt smith played one year less than walter payton and that was his 13th season and it was with the cardinals in az. and it seems to me that everyone out here on this blog has forgotten the one truly great part of emmitts gamemanship is/was his heart, dont any of you recall am playoff game against the eagles in which he had a severe seperated sholder and still gained 166 yards,or the season he satt out the first 2 games, due too contract issues,and the cowboys lost the games.if the this offensive line was so great why didnt the other backs dallas had excell as well as #22,and when he did come back with a new contract the cowboys went 13 and 1 and won the super bowl??? just saying get your facts right and remove your biased thinking!and too everyone who thinks the same way,yes emmitt did have a very good offensive line,but he still had to carry the ball!!!!!!!!!!! just saying
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It comes down to your accomplishments and your numbers not how you moved on the field or the sytle of running.
1. Smith
2. Brown
3. Payton
4. Sanders
5. Dickerson
Sanders always was lossing yards in the back field putting his team in 2nd and long. Which would hurt his team more then help. Yes, he would sometimes break a long run because he was elusive and that helped his numbers. If your style of running hurts your team then you can’t be the best running back. Sanders also quit on his team and fans when he had more to give, but didn’t because he was tired of football.
Smith played 15 years. 7 winning and 8 lossing teams. Played in the hardest division (GIA, PHIL, WASH,) and only had a great line for 5 of his 15 years. One of the main reasons Dallas won 3 superbowls. Ask Charles Haley his commits after Dallas lost to Buffalo in 93 second week of the season when Smith was holding out.
Life is all about your accomplishments and numbers and not about how great you looked doing it.
Sanders alway put his team in 2nd and 12 situations and led the league in lost yardage plays. Is that the player you want on your team. That why his skills netted him 0 super bowls.
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Emmitt Smith was always being taken out of the game early during the 4th quarter because his team was ahead. If he had stayed in he would of had another 4 or 5 carries during those winning years from 92-95. This would of made his numbers (extra 15-20 yards)even better then they already are.
Compare every concievable stat a running back can have from regular season, playoffs, and super bowls and emmitt smith holds the most records.
Brown, Sanders, Payton, and Dickerson are right behind Smith.
That’s why those 5 runners are the best of the best with LT at number #6.
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PRIEST HOLMES!
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These brain useless morons actually By some means go their internet site to number 1.
This integration looks pretty acquainted. Set up the camera at
an correct size from the region to be surveyed. http://www.
ukairmax90s.co.uk/
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4 of my numbers six to ten aren’t even on this list. They would be: Terrell Davis; Robert Smith; Marshall Falk; tie- Earl Campbell; Tiki Barber; and O.J. I’d have Emitt at 5. Martin at 11; Franco at 12; Bo, 13 Dickerson, 14; Bettis, 15; William Andrews; 16. Fred Taylor ,17. That being being said, I think the current group of runners are as good as any, comparable to those from 1965-70, but they keep gettin’ hurt.
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Barry is #1…If he played in the 20′s 60′s or even in 2012 or 2020 he would still be the same. Such a unique style that was based on improv. Most of all the Lions suck and their o line sucks. Even Earl campbell realized what a bad o line does to your carrer. Walter was amazing but still had a better line than barry. Its all opinion. We can all agree that Jim, Walter and Barry are better than the rest and any other opinion is just uneducated. Peterson will be in the top 5 conversation soon enough as well.
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you all got to remember that BO and Marcus got to be on the list Marcus @ 8 and BO would have passed Barry, sweetness and Emmit smith and he would have been #1 if he shouldn’t have gotten hurt so list goes
10. LaDainian Tomlinson
9.the bus
8.Marcus Allen
7.the juice
6.Gayle Sayers
5. Jim brown
4. Emmit smith
3.Barry sanders
2. sweetness
1. Bo known
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you all got to remember that BO and Marcus got to be on the list Marcus @ 8 and BO would have passed Barry, sweetness and Emmit smith and he would have been #1 if he shouldn’t have gotten hurt so list goes
10. LaDainian Tomlinson
9.the bus
8.Marcus Allen
7.the juice
6.Gayle Sayers
5. Jim brown
4. Emmit smith
3.Barry sanders
2. sweetness
1. Bo knowns
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I think bo jackson was really good.
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this is what i think
1. barry sanders
2. jim brown
3. walter payton
4.emmitt smith
5.tony dorsett
6.eric dickerson
7.gale sayers
8.o.j simpson
9.thurman thomas
10. ladanium tomlinson
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Sanders, Payton, and Brown are the top 3 backs. period. its open to debate where each one stands as far as 1,2,3 and who actually gets #1, but how the how can anyone in their right mind put Payton behind faulk, smith, and tomlinson.
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Ummm. Curtis Martin, Shaun Alexander and no Marcus Allen? Really?
Yes, OJ is a double murderer but he was also one of the greatest runningbacks to ever play the game. And he did it playing in Buffalo. On a bad team that was usually behind and having to throw the ball. Imagine if OJ was playing for Steelers or Cowboys?
Stop and think about the all around great player that Marcus Allen was: Running inside and outside. Great short yardage runner. GREAT pass blocker. GREAT reciever out of the backfield. All around leader. AND, Al Davis took A LOT of stats away from hi by sitting him on the bench for 3 years! This is my TOP 10 list. Yes, Brown was dominate. But he was a beast before his time, playing against a lot of slow white defenders. Walter Payton is the best runningback and best all around football player and the toughest player on this list.
10. OJ Simpson
9. Marcus Allen
8. Eric Dickerson
7. Earl Campbell
6. Marshall Faulk
5. Ladalian Tomlinson
4. Emmitt Smith
3. Barry Sanders
2. Jim Brown
1. Walter Payton
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If only Bo Jackson wasn’t injured. Has there been a more dynamic runningback to play the game since him? I remember the how crowd freezing and pointing at him when he went into the game. The whole stadium had an eye on him, and so did the defense. There have been few players who excited a whole stadium because he MIGHT touch the ball. (OJ Simpson. Barry Sanders. Adrian Peterson) But Bo was it. He single-handedly sold out the stadium when he played.
It’s a totally sad ripoff that we never got to see him play a full career. He might have shattered the records. sigh. Oh well.
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[...] Unassisted Sports: Top 10 NFL Running Backs of All-Time [...]
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Jim Brown period: I look around, for fun mostly, for the 15% or more ‘listers’ who do not rate Brown number 1. They are 78% of the them under 45 years of age; thus they don’t really understand the ‘unrealness’ of Brown. He left the game after 9 seasons with total career runshing total of 12,345 yards. He averaged more than 1100 yards per game at a 5.2 clip per carry. Brown did all this with his first 7 years career playing a season of only 12 games…the last two up do 14 games per season. Although hs career total mantained its number one status for 27 years. It has been surpassed now several time over. What virtually everyone seems to not add in however, is for the last 24 years the NFL season has been 16 games. Now, that means on average Brown played, being conservative,, 35 less gmes 1100 yards per season and staying with his short only 9 years of playing..he still would have ended his career with, staying very low, around 30 thousand more yards added to the 12000 = 42,000 yards in his career. that is a number not to be believed…but acurate. end of story. One addion: some today guys even wonder if Brown could play with modern football guys. Those who think that should never be able to say the word football again. Jim Brown was 6′ 2″ tall and weighed in a 232 lbs. He ran the hundred yard dash in 9.4. Against many of todays teams he would have been even better than he was in his day.
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