Greatest Running Backs

1. Barry Sanders

Actor | Undeclared

Barry Sanders is an American former professional football player who was a running back for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). A Pro Bowl invitee in each of his ten NFL seasons and two-time NFL Offensive Player of the Year, Sanders led the league in rushing yards four times ...

2. Jim Brown

Actor | Mars Attacks!

Often mentioned as the greatest player in NFL history, this ruggedly handsome African American fullback for the Cleveland Browns first appeared on movie screens in the western Rio Conchos (1964), followed by a strong supporting role as convict commando "Jefferson" in the terrific WWII action film ...

3. Walter Payton

Self | Saturday Night Live

Walter Payton, nicknamed "Sweetness, " is 2nd on the NFL's All time rushing list. His playing career lasted from 1975 to 1987. In those years, he amassed 16,026 rushing yards. He made a few appearances on television (as a guest star), but he was known as a profoundly personal man.

4. Earl Campbell

Actor | Necessary Roughness

Earl Campbell was born on March 29, 1955 in Tyler, Texas, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Necessary Roughness (1991), The Perfect 10 (2023) and The NFL on CBS (1956). He has been married to Reuna Smith since May 30, 1980. They have two children.

5. Emmitt Smith

Actor | Little Giants

Emmitt Smith was born on May 15, 1969 in Pensacola, Florida, USA. He is an actor, known for Little Giants (1994), How I Met Your Mother (2005) and CSI: Cyber (2015). He has been married to Pat Smith since April 22, 2000. They have three children.

6. O.J. Simpson

Actor | Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult

Orenthal James Simpson, was an American former football running back, broadcaster, actor, advertising spokesman.

Simpson attended the University of Southern California, where he played football for the USC Trojans and won the Heisman Trophy in 1968. He played professionally as a running back in the ...

7. Eric Dickerson

Actor | S.W.A.T.

Eric Dickerson was born on September 2, 1960 in Sealy, Texas, USA. He is an actor, known for S.W.A.T. (2017), CSI: NY (2004) and The Comebacks (2007).

8. LaDainian Tomlinson

Actor | God Bless the Broken Road

From day one, LaDainian Tomlinson showed that he had the talent to be a successful running back in the National Football League. Not only is he the San Diego Chargers' most valuable player, he is also considered by many to be the NFL's most valuable player, and is well on his way to a Hall of Fame ...

9. Tony Dorsett

Actor | Kill Zone

Tony Dorsett was born on April 7, 1954 in Rochester, Pennsylvania, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Kill Zone (1993), Necessary Roughness (1991) and The Big Bounce (2004). He has been married to Janet Dorsett since June 3, 2000. They have three children. He was previously married to ...

10. Marshall Faulk

Actor | Arli$$

Marshall Faulk was born on February 26, 1973 in New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. He is an actor, known for Arli$$ (1996), Life in Pieces (2015) and Point After (2006).

11. Steve Van Buren

Actor | Triple Threat

Steve Van Buren was born on December 28, 1920 in La Ceiba, Honduras. He was an actor, known for Triple Threat (1948) and The Complete History of the Philadelphia Eagles (2004). He was married to Grace Hewson. He died on August 23, 2012 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, USA.

12. Leroy Kelly

Self | The NFL on CBS

Leroy Kelly was born on May 20, 1942 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA.

13. Marcus Allen

Soundtrack | Hustlers

Marcus Allen was born on March 26, 1960 in San Diego, California, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for Hustlers (2019), Searching for Angela Shelton (2004) and Arli$$ (1996). He was previously married to Kathryn Edwards.

14. Thurman Thomas

Self | NFL Monday Night Football

Thurman Thomas is a former American football player who was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Buffalo Bills and Miami Dolphins. Thomas was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007 and into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008. Thomas was an important part of ...

15. Curtis Martin

Self | The NFL on CBS

Curtis Martin was born on May 1, 1973 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. He has been married to Carolina Williams since October 2010. They have one child.

16. John Riggins

Actor | The Wedding Ringer

As one of football's most colorful personalities, John Riggins is best known for his days as a running back for the Washington Redskins. His bruising, punishing style of play wore down opponents and brought new meaning to the concept of the power running game. He is equally remembered as a renegade...

17. Joe Perry

Actor | Ultraman II: The Further Adventures of Ultraman

Joe Perry is known for Ultraman II: The Further Adventures of Ultraman (1983) and Attack of the Super Monsters (1982).

18. Adrian Peterson

Actor | The League

Adrian Peterson was born in Palestine, Texas, USA as Adrian Lewis Peterson. He is a football player known for The League (2009), The NFL on CBS (1956) and NFL Monday Night Football (1970). He has been married to Ashley Brown since July 22, 2014. They have one child.

19. Jim Taylor

Actor | Number One

Jim Taylor was born on September 20, 1935 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA. He was an actor, known for Number One (1969), The NFL on CBS (1956) and Superstars (1973). He was married to Helen. He died on October 13, 2018 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA.

20. Larry Csonka

Actor | The Six Million Dollar Man

Larry Csonka was born on December 25, 1946 in Stow, Ohio, USA. He is an actor, known for The Six Million Dollar Man (1974), Ballers (2015) and Snake Eater (1989). He was previously married to Pamela.

21. Jerome Bettis

Actor | Chuck

Jerome Bettis was born on February 16, 1972 in Detroit, Michigan, USA. He is an actor, known for Chuck (2007), The Office (2005) and Arli$$ (1996). He has been married to Trameka Bettis since July 8, 2006. They have two children.

22. Paul Hornung

Actor | The Devil's Brigade

Paul Hornung was born on December 23, 1935 in Louisville, Kentucky, USA. He was an actor, known for The Devil's Brigade (1968), Run to Daylight (1964) and Semi-Tough (1977). He was married to Angela Cervilli and Patricia Hornung. He died on November 13, 2020 in Louisville, Kentucky, USA.

23. Edgerrin James

Self | The NFL on CBS

Edgerrin James was born on August 1, 1978 in Immokalee, Florida, USA.

24. Tiki Barber

Actor | Knight Rider

Tiki Barber was born on April 7, 1975 in Blacksburg, Virginia, USA. He is an actor, known for Knight Rider (2008), Orange Is the New Black (2013) and Lack of Will (2016). He has been married to Traci Lynn Johnson since July 19, 2012. They have two children. He was previously married to Ginny Barber.

25. Terrell Davis

Camera_department | 42:24

Terrell Davis was born on October 28, 1972 in San Diego, California, USA. He is an actor and composer, known for 42:24, Arli$$ (1996) and Carjacked (2009). He has been married to Tamiko Nash since September 4, 2010. They have three children.

26. Roger Craig

Actor | Necessary Roughness

Roger Craig was born on July 10, 1960 in Davenport, Iowa, USA. He is an actor, known for Necessary Roughness (1991), Naked Obsession (1990) and Dream for an Insomniac (1996). He has been married to Vernessia Burrage since May 7, 1983. They have five children.

27. Shaun Alexander

Self | NFL Monday Night Football

Shaun Alexander was born on August 30, 1977 in Florence, Kentucky, USA. He is an actor, known for NFL Monday Night Football (1970), The NFL on CBS (1956) and Up & Adams (2022). He has been married to Valerie Boyd Alexander since May 18, 2002. They have four children.

28. Jamal Lewis

Actor | Big Sean Feat. E-40: I Don't Fuck with You

Jamal Lewis was born on August 29, 1979 in Atlanta, Georgia, USA. He is an actor, known for Big Sean Feat. E-40: I Don't Fuck with You (2014), The NFL on CBS (1956) and NFL Monday Night Football (1970).

29. Herschel Walker

Actor | One Nation Under God

Herschel Walker was born on March 3, 1962 in Wrightsville, Georgia, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for One Nation Under God (2020), Superfights (1995) and Necessary Roughness (1991). He has been married to Julie Blanchard since May 2021. He was previously married to Cindy DeAngelis.

30. Priest Holmes

Self | The NFL on NBC

Priest Holmes was born on October 7, 1973 in Fort Smith, Arkansas, USA.

31. Ricky Watters

Actor | Any Given Sunday

All-Pro Running Back for the San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles and Seattle Seahawks. Records include rushing for over 1,000 yards for 3 different teams, scoring 5 touchdowns in a playoff game and scoring 3 touchdowns in Super Bowl XXIX. Watters earned 5 Pro Bowl selections and 4 All-Madden ...

32. Wilbert Montgomery

Self | The NFL on NBC

Wilbert Montgomery was born on September 16, 1954 in Greenville, Mississippi, USA.

33. Brian Westbrook

Self | NFL Monday Night Football

Brian Westbrook was born on September 2, 1979 in Fort Washington, Maryland, USA.

34. Clinton Portis

Self | The NFL on CBS

Clinton Portis was born on September 1, 1981 in Laurel, Mississippi, USA.

35. Corey Dillon

Producer | Boomie

Corey Dillon was born on October 24, 1974 in Seattle, Washington, USA. He is a producer, known for Boomie (2015), The NFL on NBC (1965) and The NFL on CBS (1956). He has been married to Desiree Antoine since January 30, 2000. They have three children.

36. Charlie Garner

Self | The NFL on CBS

Charlie Garner was born on February 13, 1972 in Fairfax, Virginia, USA.

37. Chris Johnson

Self | NFL Monday Night Football

38. Ottis Anderson

Actor | The Guiding Light

Ottis Anderson was born on January 19, 1957 in West Palm Beach, Florida, USA. He is an actor, known for Guiding Light (1952), NFL Monday Night Football (1970) and The NFL on CBS (1956).

39. Fred Taylor

Actor | I Am Nascar

Fred Taylor was born on January 27, 1976 in Pahokee, Florida, USA. He is an actor, known for I Am NASCAR (2021), The NFL on CBS (1956) and NFL Monday Night Football (1970).

40. Chuck Muncie

Self | The NFL on CBS

Chuck Muncie was born on March 17, 1953 in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, USA. He died on May 13, 2013 in Los Angeles, California, USA.

41. Lenny Moore

Actor | Qualcuno pagherà

Lenny Moore was born on November 25, 1933 in Reading, Pennsylvania, USA. He is an actor, known for Qualcuno pagherà (1988), Homicide: Life on the Street (1993) and The NFL on CBS (1956). He has been married to Edith Randolph since 1976. They have one child. He was previously married to Erma ...

42. Eddie George

Actor | The Game Plan

Eddie George was born on September 24, 1973 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA. He is an actor and producer, known for The Game Plan (2007), Knife Fight (2012) and He Ain't Heavy: Pledging Underground (2013). He has been married to Tamara Johnson since June 20, 2004. They have two children.

43. Terry Allen

Self | The NFL on CBS

Terry Allen was born on February 21, 1968 in Commerce, Georgia, USA.

44. Gerald Riggs

Self | The NFL on NBC

Gerald Riggs was born on November 6, 1960 in Tullos, Louisiana, USA.

45. Stephen Davis

Self | The NFL on CBS

Stephen Davis was born on March 1, 1974 in Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA.

46. Steven Jackson

Actor | Think Like a Man Too

Steven Jackson was born on July 22, 1983 in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. He is an actor, known for Think Like a Man Too (2014), Ballers (2015) and The Shores (2012).

47. Maurice Jones-Drew

Actor | The League

Maurice Jones-Drew was born on March 23, 1985 in Pinole, California, USA. He is an actor and writer, known for The League (2009), Alliance of American Football (2019) and When the Game Stands Tall (2014).

48. Ahman Green

Actor | Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice

Ahman Green was born on February 16, 1977 in Omaha, Nebraska, USA. He is an actor, known for Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016), Big Stan (2007) and Stretch (2014). He has been married to Heather Walters since February 14, 2004. He was previously married to Shalynn Vance.

49. LeSean McCoy

Self | The NFL on CBS

LeSean McCoy was born on July 12, 1988 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, USA.

50. Jamaal Charles

Self | NFL Monday Night Football

Charles was a two-time first-team Class 5A All-State selection and 2005 Parade All-American at Memorial High School in Port Arthur, Texas. Rushed for 4,107 yards and 50 touchdowns his final two high school seasons, breaking the Port Arthur City rushing record. Received the Willie Ray Smith Award ...

51. Pete Johnson

Self | NFL Monday Night Football

Pete Johnson was born on March 2, 1954 in Peach County, Georgia, USA.

52. Willis McGahee

Actor | Cubed

Willis McGahee was born on October 21, 1981 in Miami, Florida, USA. He is an actor, known for Cubed (2009), The NFL on CBS (1956) and NFL Monday Night Football (1970).

53. Michael Alstott

Actor | Adventure Scouts

Michael Alstott was born on December 21, 1973 in Joliet, Illinois, USA. He is an actor, known for Adventure Scouts (2010), The NFL on CBS (1956) and NFL Monday Night Football (1970).

54. Earnest Byner

Actor | D.T. In 'Dawg Territory'

Earnest Byner was born on September 15, 1962 in Milledgeville, Georgia, USA. He is an actor, known for D.T. In 'Dawg Territory' (1988), Masters of the Gridiron (1986) and The NFL on CBS (1956).

55. Brandon Jacobs

Actor | Fight Valley 2

Brandon Jacobs was born on July 6, 1982 in Houma, Louisiana, USA. He is an actor, known for Fight Valley 2: Lockdown, TNA iMPACT! Wrestling (2004) and NFL Monday Night Football (1970).

56. Michael Turner

Self | The NFL on CBS

Michael Turner was born on February 13, 1982 in North Chicago, Illinois, USA.

57. Curt Warner

Self | The NFL on CBS

Curt Warner was born on March 18, 1961 in Wyoming, West Virginia, USA.

58. Larry Johnson

Self | The NFL on CBS

Larry Johnson was born on November 19, 1979 in State College, Pennsylvania, USA.

59. George Rogers

Self | The NFL on NBC

George Rogers was born on December 8, 1958 in Duluth, Georgia, USA.

60. Chuck Foreman

Self | The NFL on CBS

Chuck Foreman was born on October 26, 1950 in Frederick, Maryland, USA.

61. Emerson Boozer

Actor | Velvet Smooth

Emerson Boozer was born on July 4, 1943 in Augusta, Georgia, USA. He is an actor, known for Velvet Smooth (1976), The NFL on NBC (1965) and The NFL on CBS (1956).

62. Chris Warren

Self | The NFL on CBS

Chris Warren was born on January 24, 1968 in Silver Spring, Maryland, USA.

63. Deuce McAllister

Self | The NFL on CBS

Deuce McAllister was born on December 27, 1978 in Lena, Mississippi, USA.

64. Warrick Dunn

Actor | Arli$$

Warrick Dunn was born on January 5, 1975 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, USA. He is an actor, known for Arli$$ (1996), The NFL on CBS (1956) and NFL Monday Night Football (1970).

65. Frank Gore

Self | The NFL on CBS

Attended Coral Gables (Fla.) High School, where he was one of the nation's most heavily-recruited running backs after setting a Dade County record for rushing yards in a season with 2,953 yards and 34 touchdowns as a senior in 2000. Rushed for 1,559 yards and 28 touchdowns as a junior in 1999 in ...

66. Joe Morris

Self | The NFL on NBC

Joe Morris was born on September 15, 1960 in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, USA.

67. Bo Jackson

Actor | The Sentinel

Bo Jackson was born on Nov. 30, 1962, in Bessemer, Alabama He was a 6' 1", 222 pounds tailback. He graduated from McAdory High School in McCalla, Ala., and attended Auburn from 1982-85. He went on to play football for the Los Angeles Raiders and baseball for the Kansas City Royals, the Chicago ...

68. Antowain Smith

Self | The NFL on CBS

Antowain Smith was born on March 14, 1972 in Millbrook, Alabama, USA.

69. Bill Brown

Self | The NFL on CBS

Bill Brown was born on June 29, 1938 in Mendota, Illinois, USA. He was married to Darlene and Kay. He died on November 4, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.

70. Mike Pruitt

Self | The NFL on CBS

Mike Pruitt was born on April 3, 1954 in Chicago, Illinois, USA. He is a talent agent.

71. Neal Anderson

Self | NFL Monday Night Football

Neal Anderson was born on August 14, 1964 in Graceville, Florida, USA.

72. Marion Barber

Self | The NFL on CBS

Marion Barber was born on June 10, 1983 in Plymouth, Minnesota, USA. He died on June 1, 2022 in Frisco, Texas, USA.

73. Greg Bell

Self | The NFL on CBS

Greg Bell was born on August 1, 1962 in Columbus, Ohio, USA.

74. Wendell Tyler

Self | NFL Monday Night Football

Wendell Tyler was born on May 20, 1955 in Shreveport, Louisiana, USA.

75. Rodney Hampton

Self | The NFL on CBS

Rodney Hampton was born on April 3, 1969 in Houston, Texas, USA.

76. Rudi Johnson

Diecast

Rudi Johnson was born on October 1, 1979 in Petersburg, Virginia, USA. He is known for Diecast (2009), The NFL on CBS (1956) and NFL Monday Night Football (1970).