Who is the best running back of all-time?

Answer 1

Jim Brown..........

He averaged 104 yards a game, a record 5.22 yards a pop. He ran for at least 100 yards in 58 of his 118 regular-season games (he never missed a game). He ran for 237 yards in a game twice, scored five touchdowns in another game, and four times scored four touchdowns. He rushed for more than 1,000 yards seven times, scorching opponents for 1,527 yards in one 12-game season and 1,863 in a 14-game season.

Unlike most athletes, Brown retired when he was on top. At 30, he decided he'd rather be in movies than star on a football field. When he did leave the game before the 1966 season, no player had ever ran for as many yards (12,312) or scored more touchdowns (126) or rushing touchdowns (106).


Can you imagine if he had played for 3 more seasons or if he had the benefit of sixteen game seasons? He would still be the rushing leader today.

Answer 2

You can make a legitimate argument for 3 guys.

Jim Brown - Still the prototype for the ideal running back. Speed, strength, moves. A longer career would make him the best.
Barry Sanders - Moves like have never been seen before or since. Made more out of nothing than anyone. Elusiveness personified. Playing on better teams would have made him the best.
My choice though, is Walter Payton. Deceptively strong, tough as nails, yet the most natural looking running & moves ever. 'Sweetness' had it all. On crummy teams & great teams, he was always the biggest threat on the field.

Anyone who picks Emmitt is just not paying attention. He's a great running back, but he benefitted in every way possible from playing behind what might have been the best offensive line ever.

Answer 3

Jim Brown was easily the best RB in the NFL......ever.......Brown was lightning quick and can run right through a defender....Jim Brown ran for 12,312 in just 9 seasons. He scored 106 rushing TD's, 20 receiving TD's and added 3 TD's by passing....and this was when they played less than 16 games a season too (first half of his career was 12 games, second half of his career was 14 games - a total of 118 games). He AVERAGED over 5 yards per carry. He changed the way the game was played and brought versatility to the RB position. The great RB's we've seen since Brown such as Emmitt, Barry and Walter all had different styles from Brown, however, all took pieces of his game and made it their own. Put Emmitt's endurance, Barry's elusiveness and Walter's power together and you get Jim Brown

Answer 4

Hard to pick between Water Payton and Barry Sanders. I remember the season when Barry started the season with less than 45 yds in the first two games of the year. He end up in the next 14 games going for over 2,000 yards. He walked away to early. Wish I've could've seen him play for at least two more years or more. Not to take nothing from Sweetness but I guess I would lean towards Barry Sanders

Answer 5

Depends on your perspective. The life span of an NFL running back is probably less than five years. I judge it in two ways:

1 - Short-term brilliance
2 - Long-term productivity

Short Term - Eric Dickerson (Rams, Colts, Raiders, Falcons) - He rushed for almost 4,000 yards (3,913 to be exact) in his first two seasons on a team with a poor passing game. He rushed for over 13,000 yards in a career that faded quickly due to nagging injuries. He had a graceful, upright running style that was beautiful to watch.

Honorable mentions: Jim Brown, Earl Campbell, Gale Sayers

Long Term - Walter Payton (Bears) - Payton's 16,726 career yards was the record until broken by Emmitt Smith in 2002. Unlike Emmitt however, Payton amassed those yards on teams on which he was the ONLY option. Smith played in an offense with at least THREE future Hall of Famers (QB Aikman and WR Irvin - G Larry Allen is a lock for the HOF). Payton was relentless as a runner, physically punishing tacklers larger than himself. Payton was also an excellent receiver and took off-season conditioning to a level never seen before in the NFL.

Honorable mentions: Emmitt Smith, Barry Sanders, Curtis Martin

Answer 6

Barry Sanders, Jim Brown & Walter Payton three way tie. They were all great runners, team players & very durable. Jim & Barry retired in their primes & Walter retired with 3 or 4 years left. He could have put the rushing record above 20,000 yards if he stayed & no one ever would have came close to it. Jim Brown had the rushing record for many years & most of his seasons were 12 game seasons if he played 16 game seasons his rushing record wouldn't have been attainable. Barry rushed for 2000 yards in his final NFL season & walked away & never considered coming back for the record!!!

Answer 7

Walter Payton

Answer 8

im a Dallas Cowboys fan....but i also love the game so imma be straight up!
Emmitt had a way better line then all the other guys, he was more consistent and loyal.
Barry was a better Rusher. He was a RB first!
Walter was a better receiver and all around player.
LT is a no-brainer! if you wanna watch how all the players in the past played the game, watch LT and you will see everyone of them!

Answer 9

Jim Brown

Answer 10

Barry Sanders was the most exciting by far, but if winning was the only criteria, I would have to take Jim Brown. He never got negative yards, and could get the tough yards or break one for 60.