Ten Best Running Backs of All Time in NFL

Modified Nov 08, 2022 11:49 GMT

Bears Gayle Sayers Rushing During A Game — Sayers was drafted by the Chicago Bears with the fifth overall pick in the 1965 NFL draft

#9 LaDainian Tomlinson

Wild Card Playoffs - New York Jets v Indianapolis Colts — Tomlinson set his mark rushing for 1,236 yards in his rookie season

LaDainian Tomlinson might be the perfect synonym for versatility, Tomlinson was one of the best dual threats the NFL had seen in a long time, apart from rushing and receiving he also had an occasional penchant for throwing the ball.

Tomlinson was drafted fifth overall by the San Diego Chargers in the 2001 NFL draft exactly a year after drafting bust QB Ryan Leaf.

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In his rookie season, Tomlinson set his mark rushing for 1,236 yards with 10 TD at an average of 3.6 yards per carry while also hauling 59 catches for 367 yards.

In 2003, his third year in the pros, Tomlinson became the first player in NFL history to rush for 1000 yards and record 100 receptions in a single season.

On October 16, 2005, Tomlinson became just the 7th player in NFL to run, catch and throw a TD in a single game.

2006 was Tomlinson's career season as he won the NFL MVP award for rushing 1,815 yards with a record-breaking 28 TD's at an average of 5.2 yards per carry while also catching 56 times for 508 yards with three TD's. He also had two passing TD's to his name on three attempts. He also won the NFL offensive player of the year award that season.

He broke numerous record en route his MVP winning season like most touchdowns in a single season(31), most rushing touchdowns in a single season(28), most games with four touchdowns in a season (three).

In his 12-year career as a pro football player in the NFL, Tomlinson eclipsed the mark of 1,200 yards seven times in a season. He finished with 13,684 rushing yards(sixth on the all-time list), 18,456 total yards(seventh on the all-time list), 145 rushing TD's (second on the all-time list) and 164 total TD's (third on the all-time list).

Overall in his career, Tomlinson made it five times to the Pro Bowl and three times to the first team all-pro. He was also two times NFL rushing yards leader in 2006 and 2007 while also leading the league in rushing TD's in 2004, 2006 and 2007.

He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017.