NFL Running Backs Trivia

1. This great running back came from TCU to the Chargers in 2001, then the Jets. An amazing rusher, he might have been called the lieutenant. Who is this running back?

From Quiz 100 Years of NFL: The Running Backs

Answer: LaDainian Tomlinson

LaDainian Tomlinson, usually referred to by his initials - LT - was an 11-year veteran of the NFL for the San Diego Chargers and the New York Jets. He was drafted in 2001 in a move where the Chargers gave up their #1 overall pick for the #5 overall pick and a bunch of other picks. The first pick of the draft that day was Michael Vick, some some people say that LT had been traded for Vick. LT was an efficient rusher, receiver, and, believe it or not, passer. He passed for seven touchdowns in his career. He also caught 17 touchdowns and ran for 145 more. In 2006, LT set the record for touchdowns in a season with a whopping 28. That same year he was chosen as the league MVP. He was also named to Pro Bowl five times in his career, but he never did get to win a Super Bowl. When talking about great running backs, LT is certainly one of them. (Lt. is also short for lieutenant)

From Quiz Run for Daylight!

Answer: O.J. Simpson

O.J. Simpson was simply known as "The Juice" by many. After a stellar career at USC where he won the Heisman Trophy, Simpson was drafted by the Buffalo Bills in 1969 where he floundered for three straight years. However, after Lou Saban became his head coach, things changed and "The Juice" would go on to have a Hall of Fame career (he spent his final two season at the 49ers in 1978 and 1979). He was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1985.

From Quiz NFL Running Backs

Answer: LaDainian Tomlinson

Tomlinson set his record in 2006 with the Chargers when he crossed the goal line 31 times. He rushed for 28 touchdowns and caught three from the air. Hornung of the Packers scored his high of 15 in 1960. Tony Dorsett scored his high of 13 as a rookie Cowboy in 1977. Little also scored 13 in 1973 with the Broncos.

From Quiz NFL Running Back Greats

Answer: Seattle Seahawks

In 1998, the Seattle Seahawks drafted Ahman Green in the third round. In two seasons with Seattle, he only had a total of 329 yards rushing.

From Quiz NFL Running Backs

Answer: Miami & Indianapolis

The University of Texas and the more famous of the Ricky's, played for the Miami Dolphins in 2003. The Ricky Williams that attended Texas Tech, played for Tony Dungy's Indianapolis Colts.

From Quiz Running to Glory

Answer: Jim Brown

Brown led the league an incredible eight out of nine years (1957-1961, 1963-1965).

From Quiz Greatest NFL Running Backs

Answer: Gale Sayers

Sayers was inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame at the age of 34, the youngest ever selected at the time.

From Quiz NFL Rushers

Answer: Walter Payton & Payton

He has 16,726 career yards rushing!

From Quiz 100 Years of NFL: The Running Backs

Answer: Dallas Cowboys

Emmitt Smith, Troy Aikman, and Michael Irvin were known as "The Triplets" - a very potent offence for the Dallas Cowboys. Together, the three of them won three Super Bowls in the 1990s (XXVII, XXVIII, and XXX). Emmitt Smith's running game played a large part of their efficiency. Emmitt Smith was considered small and slow, so he was not selected very high in the draft. However, Dallas snagged him in 1990 as the 17th overall pick and this paid off for them greatly. Smith turned out to be a very elusive runner and also a threat as a receiver. In 1993, Emmitt Smith was chosen as the NFL league MVP. His best year statistically was 1995 which was the last of the Cowboys' Super Bowl wins. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010, which truly shows how great he was as a running back.

From Quiz NFL Running Backs

Answer: Jim Brown

Brown was on top of the heap when he retired in 1965 after only nine seasons, all with the Cleveland Browns. He rushed for a career 12,312 yards and left the game with 126 total touchdowns.

From Quiz NFL Running Back Greats

Answer: Sclerosing Cholangitis

In 1999, Payton was diagnosed with sclerosing cholangitis, a rare liver disease. His only hope for survival was a transplant which he never received.

From Quiz NFL Running Backs

Answer: Arizona Cardinals & Cardinals & Arizona

Emmitt Smith played for the Dallas Cowboys from 1990 - 2002. When Bill Parcells took over the head coaching job in Dallas, Emmitt took the job in Arizona.

From Quiz Greatest NFL Running Backs

Answer: Tony Dorsett & Dorsett

Dorsett ended his career with 12,739 yards rushing.

From Quiz NFL Rushers

Answer: Emmitt Smith & Smith

Smith had 1,773 yards rushing in 1995.

From Quiz 100 Years of NFL: The Running Backs

Answer: All 10

Known for his speed and agility, Barry Sanders was known for being an amazing running back from the moment he set foot on the football field. Even in his rookie season, Sanders exploded with offence. He was named to the Pro Bowl in all ten of his NFL seasons and was the 1997 league MVP. He helped the Lions make the playoffs five times. As a ball-carrier, Barry Sanders was very difficult to catch. He would change direction quickly, had amazing field vision, turn on a dime, and accelerate very fast. However, when it came to the playoffs, Sanders was not as successful. His Lions only won one playoff game with him, and his worst game in football happened in the 1994 playoffs against the Green Bay Packers. Sanders was held to -1 yards on 13 rushes. Nevertheless, when it comes to marquee rushers, Barry Sanders' name is usually near the top of the list.

From Quiz NFL Running Back Greats

Answer: Eric Dickerson

Here's the stats after four full seasons: Campbell (Oilers)6,457, Sanders (Lions) 5,674, Davis (Broncos)6,413, and Dickerson (Rams)6,968.

From Quiz NFL Rushing Greats

Answer: Walter Payton

'Sweetness' as he was nicknamed, averaged 4.4 yards in his career, all with the Chicago Bears. In addition to his 110 rushing touchdowns, he also had 15 receiving TDs. His final season was 1987.

From Quiz NFL Running Backs

Answer: Alabama

Shaun Alexander was drafted by Seattle as the 19th overall pick in the 2000 draft. He was the fifth running back selected in the first round that year.

From Quiz Running to Glory

Answer: Jamal Anderson

Anderson carried 410 times that year for the Atlanta Falcons, but his 1,846 yards were second to Davis' 2,008.

From Quiz Greatest NFL Running Backs

Answer: Franco Harris & Harris

Harris had eight 1,000 yard seasons.

From Quiz NFL Rushers

Answer: Gale Sayers

Gale only played 7 years in the NFL and in 1977, he became the youngest player ever enshrined in the NFL Hall of Fame.

From Quiz 100 Years of NFL: The Running Backs

Answer: Million Dollar Backfield

Also known as "The King" and "Hurryin' Hugh", Hugh McElhenny was a college start who immediately rose to fame in the NFL in his rookie season. Aside from being a good receiver, punt returner, and kickoff returner, McElhenny was one of the best running backs of all time. He was praised for his field vision, knowing to turn and jinx when defenders weren't even in his field of view. As a member of the 1953 49ers, McElhenny joined forces with quarterback YA Tittle, fullback Joe Perry, and halfback John Henry as the "Million Dollar Backfield". As the most talented backfield in football, these four are the only entire backfield elected to be in the Football Hall of Fame. As an individual, McElhenny was only the third player to gain more than 11,000 all-around yards. Inducted into the Hall of Fame, McElhenny also was a six-time Pro Bowler and had his number retired by the 49ers.

From Quiz Run for Daylight!

Answer: Walter Payton

As a member of the Chicago Bears (1975-1987), Payton was known by many as "Sweetness". His brilliant career earned him induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1993. He played his college football at Jackson State.

From Quiz NFL Running Backs

Answer: James Wilder

The others never ran the ball 400 times in a season. Wilder spent nine of his ten seasons with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. He reached the 400-mark in 1984, carrying the ball 407 times for 1544 yards and 13 touchdowns. Even with all his carries, his longest gain in the season was only 37 yards. James averaged 3.8 yards per carry. He also caught 85 passes for 685 yards in the season. Eric Dickerson was the second running back to accomplish this, carrying the ball 404 times two seasons later for the Rams.

From Quiz Clouds of Dust: 1000 Yards

Answer: Terrell Davis

Davis rushed for 2,008 yards in 1998 for the Denver Broncos. He, Dickerson, Barry Sanders and O.J. Simpson were the only 4 backs to rush for over 2,000 yards in one season, during the 20th century.

From Quiz Running to Glory

Answer: Freeman McNeil

McNeil led the NFL in the nine game strike season of 1982 with 786 yards rushing.

From Quiz Greatest NFL Running Backs

Answer: Thurman Thomas

Despite making four straight Super Bowl appearances, the Bills lost all of them, to the Giants, Redskins, and Dallas Cowboys.

From Quiz NFL Rushers

Answer: Barry Sanders

Barry left the game of football with 10 Pro Bowl selections in his pocket.

From Quiz 100 Years of NFL: The Running Backs

Answer: St. Louis Rams

Marshall Faulk played for the Indianapolis Colts for five seasons. In that time he almost made it to the Super Bowl but the Colts lost in the AFC Championship game in a game that Faulk missed due to injury. He was there for Peyton Manning's rookie season and the two connected on passes many times. However, he felt that he was not a good fit for the team and opted for a trade. He went to St. Louis. On the Rams, his impact was immediate. In his first year, Marshall Faulk and Kurt Warner led the Rams to their first Super Bowl win though Faulk's impact int he game was as a receiver - he was held to only 17 yards rushing. In 2000, the Rams went to the playoffs again with Faulk as the league MVP. The following year saw Faulk lead the team to the Super Bowl again, though the team lost a close one to the Patriots (the first for Brady, Belichek and co.) Faulk was a great rusher and receiver and held many NFL records when he retired. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2011, and is truly one of football's greatest rushers.

From Quiz Run for Daylight!

Answer: Jim Taylor

Taylor was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1976. After butting heads with head coach Vince Lombardi for a number of years, Taylor was finally traded following the 1966 season. He scored the very first rushing touchdown in the Super Bowl when the Packers faced off against the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl I.

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