Who is/was the best NFL running back of all time?

Question

I need an argument here... tell me why, and you should have the stats to back it up!

Answer 1

Jim Brown. See the link below for stats. Played only nine years but put up eye-popping stats. His all-time rushing record stood for nearly 25 years. If he had played in the modern era with 16 games in a season, his record might still be unbroken. He set the standard to which all other running backs are compared. Also Cleveland Browns were perpetual champions when he was playing.

Answer 2

Gale Sayers. Statistically he may not wow you at first glance, 4956 rushing yards 1307 recieving yards and 54 total touchdowns in 7 seasons, but the statistics can be misleading. First of all, he only played 13 games or more4 of his seven seasons, in one he played for 9 and the other two only 2, and if you take the two seasons in which he only played in two games away then he rushed for 4876 yards in five seasons (14 game seasons mind), but still had 54 touchdowns. The other thing is that only39 of his touchdowns were rushing td's. Nine were recieving td's and six were on kick returns. During his rookie season he tied with Jim Brown for touchdowns with 22 (14 rushing, 6 recieving, and 1 kick return) for 2,034 total yards. That's not even counting his college career, because I don't think you're asking that question. The real thing that makes me believe this, and look I'm only 27 so I grew up watching Payton and Sanders and now LaDanian Tomlinson, is when you watch him. It's hard to do, I've included a link that will let you see some of his video, but if you can check it out. Barry was amazing and so was Payton, but Gale Sayers ran with the grace and speed of a gazelle, it's beautiful to watch and when you do you know you're watching greatness. I loved Barry and Payton, but whenever I can see a video of Gale Sayers I stop and do it because it's the greatest thing I've ever seen. He does have a video that you could buy, or rent if you can find it...if you're interested that is, it's just called "Gale Sayers Chicago Bears/Kansas football video.

Answer 3

Jim Brown had the shortest career but the best average
Walter Payton was the best combo of speed and power
Emmitt Smith holds the yardage mark but had to play 4 more less then average years to get there
although all of these Backs were great I'd have to say that Barry Sanders was the best back of all time, he ran 300 yards a game to gain 100 but did it very consistently. and he might of been the only running back to have had a chance to run for over 20,000 yards because he was that well conditioned that when he retired in 1999 he had another five 1000 yard seasons left in him but chose not to because the game had left his heart for good.

Answer 4

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Answer 5

.....he (Barry Sanders) is the only player to rush for 1,000+ yards in each of his first 10 seasons.

This is false. Curtis Martin did the same.
I think it goes like this:
1. Walter Payton
2. Barry Sanders
3. Eric Dickerson
4. Jim Brown
5. Emmit Smith

Answer 6

Emmitt Smith- All time leading rusher. Plus, the guy was a monster. He wasnt a flashy running but a power runner who lasted much longer than most RBs. With 3 Superbowls. Hands Down the best.

Answer 7

This is tough question but i have to say its Barry Sanders. He was the best of his time and carried the Lions throughout the 90's. He ended up with 15,000 career rushing yards but he could have broken the career rushing record had it not been for his early retirement. He was quick and hard to tackle, not to mention he has some of the most amazing plays ever.

Answer 8

Jim Brown.

On a team with virtually no passing game (Milt Plum was your starting QB, for crying out loud), he averaged 5.2 yards a carry, still an NFL record. He is the ONLY running back in pro football history to AVERAGE over 100 yards rushing/game. Others will want to compare modern backs with him, but here's the key:

Jim Brown - 12312 yards in 118 games. 2359 carries. 106 TD's rushing, 126 total.

By contrast, in their careers:

Emmitt Smith - 11234 in his first 124 games. 2595 carries. 112 TD's rushing, 119 total.
Walter Payton - 10204 in his first 114 games. 2352 carries. 72 TD's rushing, 79 total.
Barry Sanders - 11275 in his first 121 games. 2384 carries. 84 TD's rushing, 91 total.

And, once again, in an era of limited offense on a team with a weak passing game.

Answer 9

Barry Sanders

He is currently 3rd all-time in rushing yards with 15,269 falling just 1500 yards short of Walter Payton. He was also 8th all-time in rushing td's. Not to mention at one point he rushed for 100+ yard in 14 straight games (NFL record) and he is the only player to rush for 1,000+ yards in each of his first 10 seasons. He was the best because he fell just short of breaking all of Payton's records and he played in 3 less seasons. I guarentee that had he played another three years, he would have shattered the all-time rushing mark, probably making a push for 20,000 yards and he would have finished in the top 2 in TD's. Numbers speak, and Sanders has the best numbers.

Answer 10

Barry Sanders

over 15000 yards in just 10 seasons, all behind a terrible offensive line and with no quarterback to take off the pressure