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Top 5 RBs of all time.

23
Vote

by Reeper182

5) O.J. Simpson... Personal life aside he was a 6 time pro bowler who rushed for 11,236 yards and 61 TDs in his Career. Aside from all the yards gained on the ground he also had over 200 hundred receptions for over 2,000 yards and 14 TDs. He was at a disadvantage due to injury. He did great things on the field but he made most of his money as an actor.

4) Jim Brown... left the NFLas the record holder for both single-season (1,863 in 1963) and career rushing (12,312 yards), as well as the all-time leader in rushing touchdowns (106), total touchdowns (126), and all-purpose yards (15,549). He was the first player ever to reach 100-rushing-touchdowns, and only a few others have done it since, even though the league expanded to a 16-game season.

3) Barry Sanders... ended his career with 15,269 yards rushing and 99 TDs. What was more amazing than his career rushing yards was his career yards per carry average (5.0) he would have undoubtedly ended up with the all time rushing record had he not have had an early retirement.

2) Walter Payton... he came in to replace the iconic Gale Sayers and during his career he rushed for 16,726 yards and 110 TDs. A 9 time pro-bowler a 3 time NFL MVP and a Bert Bell award winner he is argueably the greatest player to ever play the game.

1) Emmitt Smith... I know alot of critics will question this decision to put Emitt at the number 1 spot but with a league record 18,355 rushing yards and 164 rushing TDs it is obvious that he is the best running back to ever play the game. He is an 8 time pro-bowler, a 3 time NFL MVP and a Super Bowl MVP. Not to mention the rookie of the year award he recieved. he is also the first player in history to have five straight seasons with over 1,400 rushing yards.


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BigPPupMajor Leaguer
847 days ago
Score 0+-
Interesting list. I'm a hug Emmitt Smith fan not sure he is the best ever.
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Reeper182Soccer Kid
847 days ago
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Emmitt was a stand-up guy.. (other than the holdout in '93) but i just let the stats talk for my article
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BigPPupMajor Leaguer
847 days ago
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No doubt I would never argue that Im as big of an Emmit fan there is.
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DNLLegend
847 days ago
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I'd be a "hug Emmitt Smith" fan, too, but... I tend not to hug men I don't know. Or even men I do.
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Anonymous Fanatic #1
578 days ago
Score 0+-
Interesting, but I will make one comment-- Give Jim Brown the same # of carries as Emmit and he would have run for 22927 yds. Remember, 4 of JB's seasons were 12 game seasons, the other 5 were 14. He only played in 118 games and his CARREER ypc was the highest ever, a full yard per carry better than Emmit(5.2-4.2) and higher than Barry's by .2 ypc. Jim Brown should always top a list like this. Oh, and he never missed a game, for any reason. Big John
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MegECass110AAA-er
847 days ago
Score 4+-
I think there is a pretty good consensus that at least 4 of these 5 guys are on this least. I can't put OJ on here, just because I never saw him and I think he killed his wife, but that's just me. Personally, I think a Mr. LaDainian Tomlinson will be on this list when all is said and done.
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JuTMSY4Legend
847 days ago
Score 1+-
I agree at age 27, Tomlinson has a hair over 9,000 yards...obviously if he goes freakishly well (he won't...) he could top 19k by age 33...most likely LT will be on the career yards list at some point and perhaps #1 in rushing and receiving...
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MegECass110AAA-er
847 days ago
Score 3+-
Tomlinson is simply the best football player I've ever seen since blossoming into true football fandom. He is the total package and everything an athlete should be. If only he didn't bitch and moan about the Pats after the divisional game...
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MegECass110AAA-er
847 days ago
Score 3+-
Is he seriously only 27? If he gets 1000+ yards over the next 10 years, he's got the record. Sweet Jesus he's good.
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InterMatAll-American
847 days ago
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Damn, I'm older than LT? Now I feel old ... seriously, when did we start getting older than pro athletes?
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JuTMSY4Legend
847 days ago
Score 1+-
I'd be impressed to see him run at age 37...that's a lot of pounding...
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MegECass110AAA-er
847 days ago
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It's so weird, I'm 20, the guys that come out of school early are one year older than me...I still can't fathom that. These guys I worship on tv are just as old as I am.
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MegECass110AAA-er
847 days ago
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Eh, I know, he's been durable though, how old was the Bus when he retired?
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JuTMSY4Legend
847 days ago
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Uh meg...i had the same problem...I'm a month older than Lebron...
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JuTMSY4Legend
847 days ago
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Its annoying to watch the NFL draft now...
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JuTMSY4Legend
847 days ago
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I don't even know if Emmitt would crack my top 5 let alone be number 1...Talent-wise Sanders and Brown are the best and (whether you agree with them or not) they did not stick around long enough... Where's Eric Dickerson, the guy who holds the single season rushing record and is...number 4 (i think) on total yard for a career?
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Reeper182Soccer Kid
847 days ago
Score 1+-
I left dickerson off the list because he was the fourth best RB in the sixteen game era and I couldn't leave the top three off the list
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JuTMSY4Legend
847 days ago
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That's fine...your list...
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JuTMSY4Legend
847 days ago
Score 0+-
Relax Reeper, I'm not ripping your list...its good

But since you posted it, I think we can debate...but its your list and from an objective standpoint, its fair...

I dunno about Emmitt at one...I'd take Brown, Sanders or Payton over him...
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Silencer76AAA-er
847 days ago
Score 0+-
I would have put Thurman Thomas on my list personally.

- 5 straight Pro Bowls (89-93) - NFL MVP (1991) - Only player in NFL history to lead league in total yards from scrimmage four straight years. - One of only 5 RBs with 10,000 rush yards and 400 receptions. - One of only 4 RBs to run for 1000+ yards eight straight seasons. - set NFL playoff records for scoring (126 pts), TDs (21), consecutive playoff games with a TD (9)

- Set postseason record for receptions by a RB in a playoff game (13 for 150 yards and 2 TDs in a 34-30 loss to Cleveland in 89)
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JuTMSY4Legend
847 days ago
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ohh...Thurman Thomas, nice addition there...
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MegECass110AAA-er
847 days ago
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And there were people questioning his getting into the Hall of Fame. Sheesh.
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Silencer76AAA-er
847 days ago
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A lot of people, myself included, think he should have a Super Bowl MVP attached to his name. In Super Bowl XXV, he ran for 135, caught 5 passes for 55 more yards and scored a TD. Had Norwood made the FG, then of course, it was a no brainer, but compared to Ottis Anderson (102 rush yards, 1 catch for 7 yards, TD), to me it was anyway. One last thing, and this is one that no one will likely take from Thurman: he is the only player to score a TD in four consecutive Super Bowls.
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Badseed57Waterboy
847 days ago
Score 5+-
Barry is number 1 period. Nobody moved like he could. He didn't have the talent around him like Emmitt or Walter, he played with bigger defensive players than Brown & Simpson did and was the only real go to player on his team for a decade. If he didn't retire early due to the lack of talent around him and no chance to win, there would be no question.
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JuTMSY4Legend
847 days ago
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If you had to pick 1 RB to get you to..."the F***in endzone" it'd be barry...he was ridiculously good...and he, the other team, the fans and anyone who had ever seen him, knew it!
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InsanMajor Leaguer
847 days ago
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So basically you're admitting Barry didnt care about his team and had no heart.
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JuTMSY4Legend
847 days ago
Score 2+-
Barry retired for a few reasons...1) because he didn't want to wreck his body and 2) because the lions didn't give a shit about him...scott mitchell...come on! Herman Moore got screwed too...he'd be an HoFer on any team w/a real QB
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Badseed57Waterboy
847 days ago
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No Insan, I'm saying Barry cared too much about his team. He knew that by retiring, his team would realize exactly how much he meant to the team. Other than Herman Moore and Chris Spielman, they did nothing to help him or the city become a winner. They drafted and tried to turn Andre Ware into a winner. If Barry didn't care about the team, he would have just demanded a trade like every other crybaby in professional sports. Barry loved Detroit and Detroit loved Barry. Unfortunately the Lions brass has no clue how to run a winning football team.
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InsanMajor Leaguer
847 days ago
Score 2+-
Great list, Emmitt is definitely #1.
  • Rookie of the Year
  • 3 Rings
  • 3 time NFL MVP
  • Super Bowl MVP
  • 8 Pro Bowls
  • All time rushing leader
  • Longevity (15 years in NFL, almost never injured)
What else can he possibly do?
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JuTMSY4Legend
847 days ago
Score 1+-
Be able to walk at age 50...something Brown and Sanders will be able to do (or are doing)
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InsanMajor Leaguer
847 days ago
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hahaha, yea I'm starting to doubt that too, that long, taking that many hits? It's tough.
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BigPPupMajor Leaguer
847 days ago
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Emmit will be fine. He was one of the first players to use Chiropractic massage and hot tubs to work and take care of his legs. That will allow him ot be healthier later in life.
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WoodsmeisterVarsity Captain
847 days ago
Score -1+-
Any list that puts Jim Brown below #2 is questionable at best.
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JuTMSY4Legend
847 days ago
Score 1+-
A lot of people put Brown around 2...Personally, I think he's a jackass, but that's besides the point... Realistically he and Sanders are in the same spot...both knew when to quit (wise or not) and therefore they lose some points on this debate...Personally, I put Brown at 3 or 4...Eith Sanders and Payton at 1 or 2 and Brown and Smith at 3 and 4 (not sure about the order between each pair though)
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Reeper182Soccer Kid
847 days ago
Score 0+-
Jim Browns early retirment was questionable... He left the team because the owner wanted him to get to traing camp and quit working on the movie(The Dirty Dozen) that he was doing... I'd hat to question his decision but he should of stuck around a little longer and he probably be at the top of the list.
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InterMatAll-American
847 days ago
Score 2+-
Sweetness was as good as it gets back in the 1980's. First memories are of Walter breaking a big run against my Tampa Bay Bucs.

Sanders, in my opinion, was the most explosive of the backs listed here. This guy just ripped stuff off ... I got to see him do his stuff a lot, remember, I'm a Bucs fan. LOL.

Emmitt's one of those guys that has the numbers to back it up, but just never "seemed" like he was that dominant of a back because he had great teams around him (sans Arizona).

Put Sanders around players like the Cowboys of the Aikman-Irvin-Smith era and who knows what would have happened.
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JuTMSY4Legend
847 days ago
Score 1+-
A sanders led Cowboys team...wow... Do you think Switzer would have shown up in '95 or just put the game on his TV?
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Notthatgood4Waterboy
847 days ago
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What's your opinion on Steve Van Buren? He was the best of his day.
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Reeper182Soccer Kid
847 days ago
Score 0+-
Ur right van buren was a hall of famers and pretty much the face of philadelphia in the early 50's. but his career 5,860 rushing yards doesnt jump off the page at you. He does however hav more caree rushing TD's than O.J. so he definately top 10
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WrmjrRed-Shirting
847 days ago
Score 2+-
To me, Payton was the best all around of the group. He could run (obviously) and catch, but he was also an excellent blocker and a good passer. He even led the league in kick returns in his first season. For most of his career, he played on teams as bad as Sanders' were. He was incredibly durable: after missing 1 game as a rookie, he played in 186 straight. He was also an incredible human being--that is why the NFL Man of the Year award is named for him.
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JuTMSY4Legend
847 days ago
Score 1+-
If there was a guy I would want to play on my team, it would be Payton...guy's a winner and a team player...stand up guy
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MegECass110AAA-er
847 days ago
Score 0+-
Didn't you just call him a jackass?
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JuTMSY4Legend
847 days ago
Score 0+-
I called Jim Brown a jackass
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MegECass110AAA-er
847 days ago
Score 0+-
Sorry, I always confuse those two. My b.
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JuTMSY4Legend
847 days ago
Score 1+-
You know what's great about this list and debate...throw out OJ and the list is one that transcends team affiliations and the players are all pretty class and/or stand up guys...sure they have a few quirks character-wise...but overall
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Ea34Div-I Stud
847 days ago
Score 2+-
Emmitt is my all-time favorite football player. before clicking on this article, i worried that he wouldn't have made your top 5. As much as i love seeing him at #1 here, i think he's probably somewhere around #3 or #4. I'd put Payton #1, Jim Brown #2, Emmitt #3, Sanders #4 and Dickerson #5.
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Reeper182Soccer Kid
847 days ago
Score 1+-
good list... thumbs up
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Kwinger 00JV Squad
847 days ago
Score 0+-
Good article. Everybody's list is going to be different. Those are 5 great running backs though, no matter what order you put them in. Jim Brown was like what Wilt Chamberlain was for basketball in the 60s - bigger, faster, stronger than everyone. He was a freak. He'd probably be #1 in my book (and in the eyes of Barry's father as mentioned during the opening of Barry's speech when his father said that Barry was the second best running back ever). Barry's probably two, Walter and Emmitt are 3a and 3b, then there's the rest.
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Cubs 8Soccer Kid
847 days ago
Score 0+-
Emmitt wouldn't be number one in my opinion. One thing that stands out with him compared to the other five on the list: He was aided by a very good passing offense. The other four were on teams that you knew were gonna try to run the ball down your throats and you still couldn't stop them. I don't want to take anything away from Emmitt, he was great, but I don't think he was better than Payton or Brown.
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KelsdadAll-Star
847 days ago
Score 1+-
Payton wasn't even the best Bears running back. That would be Gale Sayers. Nice list, and props for including OJ. Everybody overlooks his career because of his off field issues, but he was something else on the field. Red Grange. Bronko Nagurski. Jim Thorpe. Leroy Kelly. How about some of the old AFL guys, like Cookie Gilchrist and Floyd Little?
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WrmjrRed-Shirting
847 days ago
Score 0+-
Sayers was a phenomenal talent, but he really only played 5 seasons and only broke 1,000 yards twice; Payton did it 10 times. Sayers was as fluid a runner as I ever saw, but to be on the all-time list, he needs a longer career. It's really hard to compare these players to some of the old timers. By all accounts, Nagurski was a monster, but the game was very different when he played. He may truly have been the best all around player, in that he was dominant on both offense and defense.
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Tyrone BriggsHall of Famer
846 days ago
Score 0+-
Love both RBs but Payton > Sayers
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Brendan.CanneyDiv-I Stud
847 days ago
Score 1+-
What about Marshall Faulk?
  • 80 receptions out of the backfield 5 times in his career
  • 7 1,000yd season
  • 136 TDs
  • 1300yds rushing and 1000yds receiving in 1999
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Ea34Div-I Stud
847 days ago
Score 1+-
Faulk is top 10, but i don't think top 5.
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Yakob878MVP
847 days ago
Score 0+-
By the time LT is done in the nfl is might be but he has a long way to go break some more records and win a super bowl or 2 and he is a lockin
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Yakob878MVP
847 days ago
Score 0+-
sanders would be better ranked if he did not suddenley retire
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PSU ROCKSVarsity Captain
847 days ago
Score 0+-
im an Eagles fan but I give credit when credit is do and I do agree with Emmitt Smith played a super bowl with an injury and won it. He is an extremely tough back
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Cubs 8Soccer Kid
847 days ago
Score 2+-
Isaiah Thomas and Curt Schilling played in big playoff games with an injury, guiding their team to victories, but neither are the best all-time at their position. Nor does it put Emmitt over the hump. Plus, these are running backs that we are talking about, none of them were ever 'healthy' after August.
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Reeper182Soccer Kid
846 days ago
Score 0+-
thumbs up
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Yakob878MVP
846 days ago
Score -2+-
ya good comment
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Tyrone BriggsHall of Famer
846 days ago
Score -1+-
First - there is Jim Brown. Second - there is Walter Payton. Third - there is every other RB that ever played football. Addendum - LT might make #3 undisputed after another season.
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Yakob878MVP
846 days ago
Score -2+-
i like those rankings a little better than ones at the top
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Anonymous Fanatic #2
796 days ago
Score -1+-
Emmitt Smith played with 11 other Pro Bowlers and at least 3 current and future HOFs (Irvin, Aikman, Larry Allen). Same thing with Jim Brown - he played with a boat load of HOFs incl. Otto Graham. Barry Sanders, Earl Campbell and Walter Payton carried their teams on their backs the majority of their careers. Everyone knows Payton played on a SB team the last year of his career, but by then he was just good enough to be a decoy. Barry got to a NFC championship game early in his career. The Lions never fielded a defense that topped the top 10. How did he manage to gain all those yards when his defense was always on the field? If you're only criteria is statistics, then Emmitt is #1. If you really want the guy who was the Greatest of all-time, that would be Barry.
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Anonymous Fanatic #3
760 days ago
Score 0+-
I know he retired very early, but can Gale Sayers get any love at all?
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