gold star for USAHOF

4. Earl Campbell

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4. Earl Campbell

After winning the Heisman Trophy in 1977, there was little doubt that the Texas Longhorn would not be the number one pick in the Draft.  The Houston Oilers held that selection, and Campbell remained in the Lone Star State, where he was the top Running Back in football for a few years.

As a rookie, Campbell led the NFL in rushing with 1,450 Yards, and not only was he the best at his position, he was the most physical, preferring to plow through defenders rather than elude them.  Campbell won both the Offensive Rookie of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year, and both the NEA and PFWA named him their MVP.  What do you do for an encore?  Have an even better season.

In 1979, Campbell exceeded his rookie mark with 1,697 Rushing Yards and a career-best 19 Touchdowns, which also led the NFL.  Campbell swept every major award he could win (AP MVP, Bert Bell, NEA MVP, PFWA MVP, and OPOY) and had his second straight Rushing Title.  His 1980 Season saw him again lead the NFL in Rushing with 1,934 Yards and 13 TDs, and his third consecutive OPOY was his.

Those three seasons ended his apex, but he still had two more 1,300/10 TD years as an Oiler (1981 & 1983).  Campbell got off to a poor start in 1984 and was traded to the Saints, but his playing style caught up to him, and he retired shortly after.

With the Oilers, Campbell rushed for 8,574 Yards with 74 Touchdowns in 91 Games.  His number 34 was retired in 1987, and four years later, he was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  In 1999, the Titans inducted him into their franchise Ring of Honor.

The Bullet Points

  • Position: Running Back
  • Acquired: Selected in the 1st Round, 1st Overall in the NFL Draft 5/2/78.
  • Departed: Traded to the New Orleans Saints for New Orleans’ 1985 1st Round Pick (which would be Richard Johnson) 10/10/85.
  • Games Played: 91
  • Notable Statistics:

    90 Games Started
    1,979 Rushing Attempts
    8,574 Rushing Yards
    73 Rushing Touchdowns
    115 Receptions
    718 Receiving Yards
    1 Pass Completion
    3 Pass Attempts
    57 Passing Yards
    1 Touchdown Pass
    1 Interception
    72 Approximate Value

    6 Playoff Games
    135 Rushing Attempts
    420 Rushing Yards
    4 Rushing Touchdowns
    5 Receptions
    45 Receiving Yards
    0 Pass Completions
    1 Pass Attempt

  • Major Accolades and Awards:

    AP MVP (1979)
    Bert Bell Award (1979)
    NEA MVP (1978, 1979 & 1980)
    PFWA MVP (1978 & 1979)
    UPI MVP (1978)
    The Sporting News Player of the Year (1978 & 1979
    AP Offensive Player of the Year (1978, 1979 & 1980)
    First Team All-Pro (1978, 1979 & 1980)
    Pro Bowl (1978, 1979, 1980, 1981 & 1983)
    AP Offensive Rookie of the Year (1978)
    PFWA Offensive Rookie of the Year (1978)
    UPI Rookie of the Year (1978)
    The Sporting News Rookie of the Year (1978)
    All-Rookie (1978)
    Most Rushing Attempts (1980)
    Most Rushing Yards (1978, 1979 & 1980)
    Most Rushing Touchdowns (1979 & 1980)
    Most Yards per Rushing Attempt (1980)
    Most Rushing Yards per Game (1978, 1979 & 1980)
    Most Touchdowns (1979)
    Most Yards From Scrimmage (1980)

Last modified on Monday, 19 September 2022 17:48

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