Not to mention Curtis Martin, Warrick Dunn, Thomas Jones, Marcus Allen, O.J. Simpson, Earl Campbell, Marshall Faulk. The list goes on and on.
Through the 2008 season, that has not happened.
Five NFL running backs have rushed for 2000+ yards in a season:
1) Eric Dickerson - 2105 yards for the Los Angeles Rams in 1984.
2) Jamal Lewis - 2066 yards for the Baltimore Ravens in 2003.
3) Barry Sanders - 2053 yards for the Detroit Lions in 1997.
4) Terrell Davis - 2008 yards for the Denver Broncos in 1998.
5) O.J. Simpson - 2003 yards for the Buffalo Bills in 1973.
11 - Emmitt Smith (1991-2001)
10 - Curtis Martin (1995-2004), Barry Sanders (1989-1998)
8 - LaDainian Tomlinson (2001-2008), Thurman Thomas (1989-1996)
7 - Eric Dickerson (1983-1989), Steven Jackson (2005-2011)
Roger Craig in the 1985 season with 1050 rushing yards on 214 attempts and 1,016 receiving yards on 92 receptions. Marshall Faulk in the 1999 season with 1381 rushing yards on 253 attempts and 1048 receiving yards on 87 receptions.
Tiki Barber
Emmitt Smith
In terms of total rushing yards, the greatest running backs in NFL history are Walter Payton and Jim Brown. Honourable mention would go to Emmett Smith and Barry Sanders.
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At the start of the 2011 season, Gore ranks 61st in career rushing yards (6,414), 86th in career rushing attempts (1,371), and tied for 137th in career rushing TDs (35).
1.Eric Dickerson 2105 rushing yards 1984 2.Jamal Lewis 2066 rushing yards 2003 3.Barry Sanders 2053 rushing yards 1997 4. Terrell Davis 2008 rushing yards 1998 5. OJ Simpson 2003 rushing yards (14 games) 1973
0. Actually, no one has come close. Of those running backs who have scored 15+ touchdowns in a season, the most receiving TDs any one of them had in the same season was 8 by Marshall Faulk of the 2000 St. Louis Rams who had 18 rushing TDs. Next comes O.J. Simpson of the 1975 Buffalo Bills who had 16 rushing TDs and 7 receiving TDs.
That was Hall of Famer Charley Taylor who led the team with 402 rushing yards. Other running backs for the Redskins in 1965 were Dan Lewis, George Hughley, and Pervis Atkins.
Only one NFL running back has accomplished that ... Marcus Allen with 830 rushing yards for the 1996 Kansas City Chiefs. John Riggins of the 1985 Washington Redskins came close with 677 rushing yards.
Sammy Winder led the Broncos in rushing yardage in 1983 with 757. Other RBs on the 1983 team were Nathan Poole, Dave Preston, and Gerald Willhite.
Fran Rogel. Rogel was an 8th round draft choice of the Steelers in 1950. He spent 8 seasons with the Steelers, finishing with 3,271 rushing yards and 17 TDs along with 150 pass receptions for 1,087 yards and 2 TDs. He started every game of his 8 year career and retired as the Steelers career rushing leader.