My Favorite Running Backs
Football is now over, but I wanted to keep the spirit alive just a little bit longer. NBA games are only on about once a week, and we have to wait til April for Baseball.
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Ok folks,football season is now over,and 31 cities are now playing the “Wait until next year” card. More and more folks across the pond are learning our sport of professional football due to NFL Europe and great writers like Pete Cimino, Hfj and my good friend Joni Keith.While I myself may not write as well as them,I have gotten a few people to pay attention to our American game too. The first thing I would like to do here is give a shout out to all my friends from all over who were converted Charger fans if only for a few short weeks.
Keeping the football blood alive for just a little while longer,I want to share with you my list off my all time favorite NFL running backs,in no particular order.
Keep in mind,I’m only 44, so I may have a different list than you.I would have to argue Jim Brown might be the finest,but I never saw him play myself,and I had some years where I didn’t watch it at all for a spell,after so many seasons of the Chargers getting so close but not getting there.When we finally made it,We had to play the Niners with Jerry Rice and the slinging southpaw,Steve Young.
So here goes my list.
1) OJ Simpson,he galloped like a horse and always seemed to be running away from everyone else.
2) Earl Cambell.The very first of the rumbling grumbling big backs like Bettis and Alstot and Moose Darryl Johnston.He could run right through any defensive lineman,and there was some pretty big boys playing back then.
3) Walter Payton. What list would be complete with out sweetness.He was fast,he ran with tremendous power and the heart of a lion.Who in America hasn’t seen the footage of him running down the sideline at Soldier Field with the breath coming out of his mouth in the freezing Chicago air?
4) Eric Dickerson. Ran for tons of yardage in his career,still holds the single season rushing record,and had world class speed. If he got past you,it was simply over.
5) John Riggins. Just a madman and a monster,another guy with world class speed and a body like a truck.
He was also a NCAA track sprinter champion.
6) Barry Sanders. Lets not forget one of the few to top the 2000 yards in a season, quickest feet ever,and breakaway speed, was my favorite for a long time.
7) La Danian Tomlinson. Are you kidding me? You knew he was going to make this list. The only other person with feet equal to or possibly better than Barry,and the fastest to 10,000 yards ever,Third all time in touchdowns already,and has had 4 career 200 yards rushing games,Oj holds the record with six,but LT has had several 190 plus games also.Go watch some replays of his feet,you will be amazed. My only gripe is he doesn’t have breakaway speed,and most Defensive backs can catch him on a long run.
Marshall Faulk. This guy was great and rewrote the record books at San Diego State,and then With the Colts and Rams later.
9) Franco Harris.This needs no explanation.
10) Terrel Davis.Another member of the 2000 yard club.Very quick,very fast,sadly his brilliant career was cut short due to a knee injury,but he did get two rings before he was done,as with John Elway.
11) Emmit Smith.This guy too in his youth moved like Barry and LaDainian,so slippery and elusive.
12) Billy Sims.Remember this Heisman winner? This guy was Barry Sanders before Barry Sanders, slippery and fast.
13) Marcus Allen.Born and raised here,Even thought he played for the hated Raiders he was brilliant and fast.LaDanian just passed him in touchdowns this past season.
14) Curtis Martin.Classy guy and A great runner, man he could cut. I’m doing this list from memory,but go look him up at NFL.com, you’ll be surprised how close he is to the other all time greats.
15) A tossup with Jerome Bettis and Tony Dorsett. I couldn’t leave either off the list, I’ve wanted to do a list like this for quite a while,but couldn’t narrow it down to less than 10 or 15. Tony could do it all,and Jerome was surprisingly fast for such a big guy,but his true talent shown through when he gave up the tailback moves and just started running over people.
16) There are so many, and so many opinions,I could never name them all,but wanted to mention a few more.
I loved Chuck Foreman in the 70’s, always liked Greg Pruitt,loved Thurman Thomas and Ahman Greene,Ricky Williams,a bruiser with speed, You’ve got to love Darren Sproles,Adrian Peterson, Darren McFadden,Julius Jones,Lawrence Maroney.
You know I had to add some of my Chargers among this list;Natrone Means,Lionel James
21 Comments
I am not that interested in football but you write the article very enjoyable to read. Great post, I enjoyed it!Thumbed up.
I don’t know much about football but do know a good article when i se it. Great article Bo very well written
Now you’re talking my language Bo. But don’t ever short yourself on writing ability because you have continued to put out one good piece after another. Back to the article though, i have to agree with you 100% on all your picks, and to add that you did a great job writing this article. I know there have been so many great running backs over the years, and its hard to name all of them, but there is three more that i’m sure you will agree with me on. The great Jim Brown who set the NFL rushing record that stood for 20 something years, and i still consider the best of alltime. The great Herchel Walker and Bo Jackson who not only had great moves as running backs, but were also world class sprinters which was unbelievable considering their size. Great article and keep up the good work friend.
Great article
Bojack knows football. Nice list, Bo! I agree with everyone on the list. As a Vikings fan in the mid-70’s, Chuck Foreman was a joy to watch. And of course, OJ, Franco, and Sweetness all are up there. The one back that I think needs to be on the list is Roger Craig, who had a stellar career with the 49ers under Joe Montana. He won the MVP one year, and (I could be mistaken) but I believe he led the league both in rushing and in receptions. If not the leader in both, he was way up there in both. He was a threat, a fast and quick runner, but also a bruiser. That guy was strong. I saw him play at Nebraska (for a couple years he and Rozier were both there!) and boy did that guy have moves.
Anyway, great article — nicely written!
Good write Bojack. My favorites are Barry Sanders, Billy Sims and Walter Payton.
Wow, my friend, I am so honored. I’m going to leave the sports writing to you though. You’ve done an absolutely amazing job here. I understand your hatred for my Niners, but that was then and this is now. I can’t wait to see a whole season with Singletary at the helm. At least we share our hatred of the Raiders. (By the way, I don’t hate the Chargers. I just wanted to see the Steelers make it to the SuperBowl.)
I’d have a hard time picking a fav from your list. Yeah, Simpson, Payton, LT, Faulk, definitely some of the all time greats. Thanks for keeping the football feeling alive. I share the love of NFL with my oldest son. My youngest is all about NBA so I welcome your input on that. Dwayne Wade is the name in this house.
Yhanks everybody,half of the last paragraph didn’t show up,It had Bo Jackson and his freakish speed,Loinel James,James Brooks.Joel,I wanted to add roger to the list,I also regretted leaving off Reggie,just so fun to watch,I forgot Ricky Watters too.
Joni,I’m also looking foward to the Singletary experiment,San Fran is on my up and coming list.
Good write ups! Bojack!—Football, hmn—men’s game!
I like you even more since you put Terrel Davis on your list and you are a fellow Raider Hater
It was so sad to watch him on the side lines, knowing how much he could have contributed to the game.
I only dislike the Chargers when they play my beloved Bronco’s. : )
Maybe you can convert me to a Charger fan.. I was rooting for the Steelers this year..
I’m have learned a lot about the sport from this article; Well done
Monica.
Hey man , what about Larry Csonka, used to play I think for Florida in the 60’s and 70’s
Your football season is over, ours is just about to begin.
Go The Dockers!
Another great article BoJack! You have got me staying somewhat in tune to these things. Thanks for sharing.
I don’t know much about sports but my better half could have an interesting discussion with you.
Now, BoJack, you know I know nothing about sports. So, I will just say you have my support and I clicked the like button for you.
You know your football
Inna
im not into football, but it sounds interesting…
I’m not into football either, but go DALLAS COWBOYS!!! LOl I just like the color of their uniform.
dont forget archie griffin and gale sayers