Who do you think the best running back of all time is?

Answer 1

Barry Sanders. Every yard he got was on his own. He played for some really lousy teams. Great talent.

Answer 2

Walter Payton, for years was the entire offense on a series of very bad Bears teams and defenses keyed on him yet he still put up unbelievable numbers and didn't play on a winning team until very late in his career, meanwhile Emmit Smith played behind some of the best offensive lines of his time, I dont want to take anything away from Smith, but he couldnt have done what Payton did, if Barry Sanders didnt randomly retire, he would be number 1

Answer 3

Jim Brown. End of story.

Won't list all the details, but here's a link.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Brown

He was named the greatest PLAYER ever (not just the greatest running back) by the Sporting News in 2002 (also in 1999).

He was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1971 Brown also earned a spot in the Lacrosse Hall of Fame (Brown is generally acknowledged to be the best ever in that sport as well...he played lacrosse in college at Syracuse).

Brown's football talents at Syracuse garnered him a berth in the College Football Hall of Fame, giving him a rare triple crown of sorts as well as being one of the few athletes to be a Hall of Fame member in more than one sport.

If you've ever watched an NFL films show highlight Brown, there would be no need to ask this question.

Payton was the 2nd best running back ever, but Brown was by far the best. Both Payton and Sanders played for bad teams for most (or all in Barry's case) of their careers...they also played in the absolute worst division in the NFL, the NFC Central. Sanders played 10 years in the NFL, and only one team from his division won the Super Bowl (Green Bay, one time).

Just because the players back then weren't pumped up by steroids, as they are today, doesn't mean Brown wasn't the best player ever... That's like saying Jessee Owens sucked at track and field, because they run the 100 faster today than they did back then.

Brown was named by ESPN as the #4 athlete of the 20th century, and was, of course, the top football player on the list. Joe Montana was the #2 NFL player named, at # 25 (not counting Jim Thorpe, an all around athlete).

Answer 4

1. Jim Brown
2. Walter Payton
3. Barry Sanders
4. Tony Dorsett
5. Emmitt Smith

All of them were great but Jim had the total package of power and speed. If he had of played 16 game a season his records would still stand.

Answer 5

The Legendary BARRY SANDERS. Played for the Detroit Lions who had no talent at all. Defenses keyed on him every game.

Would have set the all time rushing record years ago but retired still in his prime. They estimate he would have ran for more then 22,000 yards if he never retired.

He averaged 4.6 yards a carry on a bad offensive line. Played against linebackers who bench pressed 400 pounds and ran a 4.6 40 yard dash and weighed 250 pounds. Defensive lineman weighed 300 pounds.

Jim Brown played against slow linebackers who weighed 200 pounds, and defensive lineman who weighed 240 pounds and were slow. My dead dog could run for some yards against defenses back then.

Answer 6

Jim Brown/Gale Sayers

Answer 7

Jim Brown

Answer 8

Its Barry Sanders if he would have stayed he would of crushed every record in 1997 he averaged 6.1 yards a carry thats amazing. in ten seasons he had 15,269 yards 99 tds he was only 30 when he retired,in his prime. emmitt had 15 seasons 18355 and 164 td and was 35

Answer 9

No doubt about it. Walter (sweetness) Peyton. He was simply the greatest. Barry Sanders was for sure the most fun to watch, but he had a habit of losing yards on a regular basis, and putting the team in a bad spot.

Answer 10

Barry Sanders

Answer 11

Walter Payton.