70. Ottis Anderson

Ottis Anderson had one of the best rookie seasons ever for a Running Back, gaining over 1,600 yards on the ground. Too bad he did it for a bad St. Louis Cardinals team that was barely on the National radar.

Anderson would prove he was not a one-season wonder. Although he never again matched those rookie numbers, he still posted decent numbers and was the highlight of a poor Cardinals team. As it does in football, injuries piled up, and he lost his explosiveness. Anderson was, however, reinvented as a short-yardage specialist by the New York Giants, and he again accumulated impressive tallies. He was a natural leader, and as he rarely fumbled, he was a strong key to the Giants’ ability to control the ball for extended periods of time. As a Giant, Ottis Anderson twice won the Super Bowl, capped with an MVP performance in Super Bowl XXV.

Although Anderson gained major exposure with the Giants, few remember that he retired in the top ten all-time in Rushing Yards. He has since fallen down that list, but he had a long, fruitful career few could match.

Should Ottis Anderson be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 75.7%

Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 15%

Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 6.5%

No opinion. - 0%

No way! - 2.8%

The Bullet Points

Country of Origin: West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.A.
Eligible Since: Friday, 01 January 1999
Position: Running Back
Games Played: 182
Notable Statistics: 125 Games Started
2,562 Rushing Attempts
10,273 Rushing Yards
81 Rushing Touchdowns
376 Receptions
3,062 Receiving Yards
5 Receiving Touchdowns
0 Pass Completions
1 Pass Attempt
98 Approximate Value

8 Playoff Games
5 Playoff Games Started
101 Rushing Attempts
433 Rushing Yards
3 Rushing Touchdowns
6 Receptions
14 Receiving Yards
Played For: New York Giants, St. Louis Cardinals
College: Miami (FL)
Drafted: 1st Round, 8th Overall in 1979
Major Accolades and Awards: Super Bowl Rings (2) (New York Giants, Super Bowl XXI & XXV)
UPI MVP (1) (1979)
The Sporting News Player of the Year (1) (1979)
AP Offensive Rookie of the Year (1979)
PFWA Rookie of the Year (1979)
The Sporting News Rookie of the Year (1979)
First Team All-Pro Selection (1) (1979)
Second Team All-Pro Selection (1) (1980)
Pro Bowl Selection (2) (1979 & 1980)
PFWA Comeback Player of the Year (1989)
Super Bowl MVP (1990)
All-Rookie (1979)
Other Points of Note: Top Ten Offensive Player of the Year Finishes:
4th in 1979

Top Ten Finishes: Rushing Yards (5) (1979, 1980, 1981, 1983 & 1984)
Top Ten Finishes: Rushing Touchdowns (3) (1980, 1989 & 1990)
Top Ten Finishes: Yards per Rushing Attempt (2) (1979 & 1980)
Top Ten Finishes: Rushing Yards per Game (6) (1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983 & 1984)
Top Ten Finishes: Touchdowns (2) (1989 & 1990)
Top Ten Finishes: Yards from Scrimmage (5) (1979, 1980, 1981, 1983 & 1984)
Top Ten Finishes: All-Purpose Yards (5) (1979, 1980, 1981, 1983 & 1984)
Top Ten Finishes: Touches (6) (1979, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1984 & 1989)
Notable All Time Rankings: 20.   Rushing Touchdowns: 81
23. Touches: 2,938
24. Rushing Attempts: 2,562
31.   Rushing Yards: 10,273
45.   Yards from Scrimmage: 13,335
56.   Touchdowns: 86
68. All-Purpose Yards: 13,335
Years Nominated for the Hall of Fame: None