# NFL All-Time 100: RBs **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [December 30, 2019, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-all-time-100-rbs/845618 "2019-12-30T19:58:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 4\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2020, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-all-time-100-rbs/845618/21 "2020-01-16T19:30:35Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > Tomlinson and Faulk probably belong on the list over OJ and Earl Campbell. For what it’s worth: - When he retired, Simpson had the second-highest career rushing total in league history, behind only Jim Brown - He was the first running back to rush for 2000 yards in a single season (and the only one to do it in a 14-game season) - He led the league in rushing four times - He was an All-Pro in five consecutive seasons Obviously, in the decades that followed, we discovered that he was a reprehensible human being, and I wouldn’t disagree with anyone who feels that he shouldn’t be the subject of any further honors for his football career based on that. But, by the numbers alone, he was definitely one of the best running backs in NFL history. ---
**Author:** ![Snarky\_Kong](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a183cd/32.png) [@Snarky\_Kong](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snarky_Kong)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2020, 7:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-all-time-100-rbs/845618/22 "2020-01-16T19:50:23Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > For what it’s worth: > > - When he retired, Simpson had the second-highest career rushing total in league history, behind only Jim Brown > - He was the first running back to rush for 2000 yards in a single season (and the only one to do it in a 14-game season) > - He led the league in rushing four times > - He was an All-Pro in five consecutive seasons > > Obviously, in the decades that followed, we discovered that he was a reprehensible human being, and I wouldn’t disagree with anyone who feels that he shouldn’t be the subject of any further honors for his football career based on that. > > But, by the numbers alone, he was definitely one of the best running backs in NFL history. Yeah, he was. And LT and Marshall Faulk were better. ---
**Author:** ![racepug](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f1d935/32.png) [@racepug](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racepug)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2020, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-all-time-100-rbs/845618/23 "2020-01-16T21:25:45Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > Tomlinson and Faulk probably belong on the list over OJ and Earl Campbell. > > Sayers probably doesn’t belong there, but it’s basically consensus that he’s, what, a top 3 talent at that position and only injuries prevented him from breaking records? Frank Gore is going to finish 3rd on the all time rushing list and he’s nowhere near discussion for the list **so obviously we don’t weight longevity as highly as talent.** I think they made room for both. Compare the inclusion of “jack-of-all-trades” OL Bruce Matthews on the list to that of C Dwight Stephenson. Bruce Matthews may not have been truly _dominant_ as an offensive lineman but he certainly was versatile (lining up at all positions on the offensive line at different times in his career) and he played for close to two decades. Dwight Stephenson, on the other hand, played for only about 8 seasons (as with Gale Sayers his burgeoning career was cut short by injury) but everything I’ve read about him suggests that he might very well be THE best center to ever play in the N.F.L. ---
**Author:** ![TonySinclair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/49beb7/32.png) [@TonySinclair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TonySinclair)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2020, 12:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-all-time-100-rbs/845618/24 "2020-01-17T00:54:26Z")
> [@Snarky\_Kong](#): > > Sayers probably doesn’t belong there, but it’s basically consensus that he’s, what, a top 3 talent at that position and only injuries prevented him from breaking records? Frank Gore is going to finish 3rd on the all time rushing list and he’s nowhere near discussion for the list so obviously we don’t weight longevity as highly as talent. In that case, here’s my vote for Bo Jackson. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-all-time-100-rbs/845618.md?page=1)