who is the best running back of all time?

Answer 1

Walter Payton without question. He could run, he could fly and he could throw. Sanders really didn't catch a whole lotta passes out of the backfield.

Answer 2

I took a pole of the three guys sitting in my immediate vicinity and the answers are as follow.
We got Walter Payton, Barry Sanders, Marshall Faulk. Three great backs who took what the other one brought in and added to it. Walter Payton is sick, numbers, charisma, a title, the original. Barry Sanders, prolly would have won Dancing with the stars, yes i know gay indeed, but he was so bad the first person I ever saw to completely stop dead in the middle of a run, sadly no ringand a retirement far too early. Marshall Faulk had Barry's moves with absolutely amazing hands, the Rams are still yet to lose a game in which Marshall runs for 100+ yards and the simple fact that those guys very rarely put the ball on the turf says how simply dominant they were. And there is a chance that we are watching the greatest running back in the history of the game right now. Ask this question again in 10 years and there will be a lot of people that will say Ladanian Tomlinson.

Answer 3

Bo Jackson. If injuries didn't cut his playing career short, and if he didn't split time with baseball (remember, football was his "hobby") he would have been the greatest of all time. He had it all: Speed, power, vision, etc. Never watched film and never worked out/lifed weights. The guy was a freak of nature.

10.9 ypc average in High School
4,303 yards at Auburn (2nd all time in SEC history)
Heisman Trophy Winner
Only player in NFL history with TWO 90+ yard runs from scrimmage
5.4 ypc in NFL career

Who can forget watching him bulldoze Brian Bozworth in that Monday night game in Seattle? When he ran around tackle, you blinked and he was GONE. Some of the hardest hitters of the day (Steve Atwater, Ronnie Lott, etc.) consistently said that the one RB they hated to think about going one-on-one with in the open field was Bo Jackson.

He was the greatest. Hands down.

In terms of players who enjoyed a full career, that one is easy. Walter Payton. I don't want to hear about Emmitt Smith. He was a good back, but had an amazing supporting cast around him. Payton played most of his career on some BAD Chicago Bears teams (1985 Superbowl aside). Despite being the only threat on the offense, he put up some monster numbers. And more importantly, he did it with class.

Answer 4

Hopefully people answer this based on the best that they did and not for how long they did it. I would have to say Terrell Davis because you can't go against someone who rushed for 2,000 yards in a season AND won the Super Bowl 2 years in a row, with the best QB of all time, John Elway. But if I wasn't a Broncos fan i would have to say Jim Brown, but if i didn't live in C Town I would say, well, LT.

Answer 5

I have to go with Barry Sanders. This guy put together an amazing career in few seasons and was able to do it in the horrid Detroit Lions franchise. He is definately a must for the best of all time. He could juke anyone there was in the game and probably could still. He averaged over 5 yards a carry for his career!! He is 3rd all time rushing yard leader and 4th all time total yard leader. He is amazing and I just haven't seen anyone to compare him to.

Answer 6

It's kind of hard to answer this question, you could take halfback and fullback separately, and come up with Walter Payton at HB and Jim Brown at FB. Someone could make arguments for Barry Sanders, O.J. Simpson, Earl Campbell, Terrell Davis, or Gayle Sayers, but in terms of their impact on the game, I'll take those two anyday. I think Payton has the advantage because of his speed.

Answer 7

Top 3:
Jim Brown
Walter Payton
Barry Sanders

Answer 8

Barry Sanders

didnt get to see Jim Brown play

Emmitt Smith does not compare to Barry Sanders. Barry played with an inferior team to what Emmitt did and would still of rushed for more yardage had he not grown tired of losing with the Lions and retired early.

Answer 9

I see nobody ever heard of the running back who set all the records for single season and life time with a team that didn't throw the ball. They just gave it to him and said "run Forest run". But for real. No matter what you may think of him it's O.J. Simpson for sure. He made Buffalo Bills a contending team. He thanked his offensive line by giving them Rolex watches.
Payton and the rest were good but didn't do what he did. They all had support with throwing the ball.

Answer 10

Barry Sanders anyone who says emmit smith should think again. Look at Barry's positon he was in bad team, worst line in the league and still make the numbers he did. I will say it, again, and again If Barry was to play for the another franchise he would be at the top of every stat and would be idolized as the most incredible male athlete ever.

Answer 11

If numbers continue it will be LaDanian Tomlinson, but in my opinion Barry Sanders was the best but wont get as much credit because he retired early but third on the all time list in rushing yards shows that he would have crushed the record had he stayed in the league.