He almost gained 2000 yards rushing in his 3rd season with that running style. 1934 rushing yards to be exact. One of the Greatest Running Backs of all time.
Blake Goold well if u were a real Chiefs fan u would know that Larry Johnson only had 2 dominant seasons (both 1700 rush yds and 10+ tds) and the rest were mediocre. Sadly injuries got to him but he only had 2 years not 3. Plus his 2 seasons don’t come close to priest holmes seasons just cus of Holmes incredible TD numbers
Peter Torok true but not even Jim ran with that style of football I got to meet them both well Earl stays in my home town so I see him once in a blue moon at autograph sessions
and his celebration is even better than lynch's td celebration. the last play. he was just so tired, dragging his shoes, let the ball down on the turf ahah.
Hats off to Jerome Bettis, possibly the most perfect fan of Earl Campbell i can imagine. the way he talks about the play you are watching indicates that Jerome studied those plays so deeply in depth that he could articulate Earl’s moves in detail without even seeing them on screen, reciting them from memory.
ABSOLUTELY !!! He gained over 1400 yards his rookie season, over 1600 yards the following season, and over 1900 yards in his 3rd season. In his 4th and 5th season he gained over 1000 yards in each of those seasons, and those are just rushing yards in all 5 seasons. One of my favorite players at that time #34. 😃
Eric is in the running. It's really a matter of preference with those two for the first 5 years. Campbell did have an MVP. Unfortunately 2105 came the same year as Dan Marino's 5084.
For pure power, you're right. I've never seen a RB who could send defenders flying quite like Earl. I saw him in college and it was even more ridiculous due to the lesser talent on defense. The crowd would laugh when Earl would drag 2-3 defenders an extra five+ yards after contact. A true beast.
Agreed. The only "power" backs I've personally seen that are in the same league as Campbell are Bettis and Beastmode, and I'd take Campbell over either of them.
Waaaaaaaaaaaaay underrated. Outstanding effort and toughness. The offense was earl right, Earl left, Earl up the middle. Dan pastorini at QB. No wonder the poor guy can't walk now
Pablo Cunningham He actually have a genetic condition with his spine that contributed a lot to his poor back health now, but football was another factor
I grew up watching Campbell and thought he was the most powerful back I'd ever scene, even better than Csonka. What I remember, and even noticed at the time as a kid, was that Campbell was humble. He wasn't a trash talker, he didn't engage in post play theatrics, and he had no bad press that I can remember. He didn't need any of that because his playing earned him the respect of everyone. A great player, much higher than 55th on my list.
Csonka and earl were both great power backs and football players, csonka was a little stronger than Campbell mostly due to him being 6ft3 while Campbell was 5ft11, I think earl was a bit more elusive than csonka
Definitely one of the best power running backs who ever played the game...maybe THE best. There have been quite a few great power backs like Bronko Nagurski, Marion Motley, Steve Van Buren, Jim Taylor, Larry Csonka, and Franco Harris but Campbell has them all beat
@@masonkinter6821 And Earl was a lot faster. I watched him play in college and he could fly for a 230 lb. back. Once he broke into the secondary he was like a truck barreling downhill...guys hanging on for dear life until reinforcements came to help.
Abelarue,100percent agree with you. He let his actions on the field do the talking. And also these trash talking fools these days couldn't even carry his jock strap!
Lmao I know. Tatum couldn't have gotten a better hit on him but Earl just would not be denied. Dude should have been a boxer, looks like he took that helmet straight to the chin and just kept on going.
He did run through him, he stumbled and fell in to the end zone. After the play both Tatum and Earl had to be helped off the field. It is definitely one of the greatest hits of all time.
My dad met this guy and Clayborn or Claiborn (can't spell it) in a hotel room once they weren't in the best mood but he asked Claiborn "what would u do if earl Campbell is running straight towards you" and Claiborn said "I'd get the hell outta the way"
@@larrysgdzthebest3009 I just read that guy's comment. It was nice. I especially liked the part when he told us that his dad told him that Claiborne, or Clayborn, told him, that if Earl Campbell was coming directly at him or straight at him that he, Clayborne or Claiborn, said "I'd get the hell outa the way".
I met Earl Campbell while in Austin in the late 80's. I saw him at a restaurant with his wife, and my big brother wouldn't let me bother him for an autograph. Afterwards he came over to our table and introduced himself and signed a business card that he had. Told me he appreciated me allowing him to eat in peace. Still have the autograph. I was about 16 or 17. It hurts me to see him struggle to walk nowadays. He took a pounding in the NFL and now he is paying for it.
BELIEVE IT or NOT I Took a picture with Earl Campbell here in Houston at Moody Park when I was 2 years Old sitting on Top of his Shoulders. I haven't the Slightest Idea what happened that Picture but It Will LIVE in my Memory FOREVER!!!
Excitement embodied. Keeps your eyes wide open. Throwback to an overwhelmingly entertaining time of great competition - no gimmicks. A favorite's favorite! #34!
I remember that Monday Night Football Game against the Miami Dolphins. That performance by Earl Campbell was nothing short of incredible. Just watching that last touchdown run on this video gave me chills 😃.
Agreed, I was in my living room with the TV on to that game trying to study for a finals for college, after the first quarter or so of that game, one could clearly sense that a classic game was in the making. Both Houston and Miami were playing superb football.
Everyone who is arguing best rbs think about this. Jim Brown once said "the best 2 running backs in history: 1. Himself 2. Earl Campbell. The rest you can put in any order you want. " Jim Brown said that.
There’s a reason for that look at there different styles of play, earl was a power back Payton was not and played in a different style but Payton was still hard to bring down and didn’t die easy like Campbell
Don’t see how Jim Brown is #2 and Earl Campbell is #55. Campbell played in the dirty era of football and still killed it. Brown was great no doubt, but everyone was a twig in his era. Put Campbell in brown’s era and he would have never been tackled.
No, everyone was not a twig in Brown's era. Freakin Butkus was easily big enough for any era. However, steroid use was far more common in Campbell's era. And, I agree, Campbell deserves to be *much* higher on this list. In fact, I've always struggled over whether he or Dickerson was the GOAT.
# 55 are you kidding me??? I thought Earl would definitely have been in the top 10 or 15 at the lowest. Watching him run was really something. He was like a bulldozer & often was impossible to bring down
That highlight of him against the Rams is one of my favorites. Every time I watch it, I just keep wondering how Earl didn't drill a hole through that guy's chest. A hit like that would put the fear of God into even the toughest defenders
Jesus Christ as I was very young and watching these games happen live and didn't realize how dominate he was! He is one of the toughest, fastest running backs in NFL history! Mr. Campbell, thank you for the memories you sir, are a living legend!
Bum Phillips once commented on Earl not being able to finish the mile run during training camp: "When it's first and a mile, we won't give it to him." I think they only threw to give Earl a couple of plays off.
I said this on another video featuring Earl Campbell. His strength and physical running style are well known. However, his foot speed and balance were severely underrated.
I was raised in Austin and got to see Earl play college and pro. Of all the players I have seen play live in my 54 years, Earl to me is the best of the best. I used to get literal goosebumps watching him play. Earl you are #1 in my list! HOOK EM !!!!
Best sheer power runner in history holy cow this guy could destroy people. All game every game to because Earl WAS that team just wow. I still am stunned when he literally puts his helmet square onto the other guys chest and bowls him over
For sure. Rating him #55 is a joke. I saw him in college and with the Oilers. I've never seen a RB steamroll guys like Earl did. He would leave bodies all over the field.
#55?!?!?! Dude Earl Campbell is one of the greatest backs to play. He was a power back but was insanely fast. He’s way undefeated. Best guy I ever saw play live.
Earl Campbell was and still is the most physical running back to ever play in the NFL. The players he ran over and through all thought they were the baddest men on the field...until #34 rolled through the hole! The Rams player (#58) who you see Campbell blowing up in this video was Isaiah Robinson, who definitely "went for bad" as we use to say. Before that play he considered himself the second coming of Deacon Jones; but after that play, I swear, he was never the same bad-ass defensive end. Think about the men who hit him and could not stop him; Tatum, Lambert, Shell, Atkinson...the list goes on! These were future Hall Of Fame players who were bouncing off him like water off a duck!
To do that at 5'11 230 is remarkable the very last run you saw just how TRULY tired he was all he could do is put his hands on his hips and breathe deep. One of the comments said the original beast mode, I TOTALLY AGREE
Him laying out Isaiah Robertson of the Rams (who wasn’t a slouch btw) has got to be the most iconic run highlight in NFL history! Surely up for debate! I mean, tmw I might think different but at this very moment, it goes down as the one for me. And believe me, as far as highlights go I’ve darn near seen them all😂
Lifelong Cowboys fan. My number 2 were the Oilers. Number 3 were the Browns. Cowboys fans were kinda like always expecting Victory, not quiet but not rabid. Oilers fans were blue collar, loud, and spirited. Luv ya Blue. Earl Campbell was my favorite running back. He was good for those fans and their coach. Sad shame they left town. #34 was something special. God bless
Earl Campbell was the original Beast Mode before Marshawn Lynch. He was 5’11 and 235 pounds powerful back who will pound those defensive linemen all the way to touchdowns. A lot of defensive linemans fear him because of his big size and couldn’t tackle him at all. He was a incredible player and he was the best powerful running back of his generation. He only played for eight seasons in the NFL before retiring from professional football with the formerly known Houston Oilers and New Orleans Saints. Salute to #34 Earl Campbell.
Earl "The Pearl" Campbell can not be denied as being one of the best... rankings are subjective and there have been a ton of great players. I can't rule out my own bias, but IMO, he should be much higher than 55th.
I'd put Earl Campbell at least 20 or 25 spots higher on an all-time list. His style took its toll, but holy hell, when this man was at his peak, I think he was right there with the likes of Jim Brown, Walter Payton and others. To be that big and that fast, truly incredible.
My dad played football at UT before Earl and we as a family were privileged enough to not only meet Earl, but he became one of our close family friends. Maybe I'm being biased but the greatest power back in NFL history should be in the top ten. Hes a class act and makes great sausage as well!!
the power the strength the force the built the fight the aggressiveness the ferociousness Earl Campbell had you wouldn't dare to compare him to ANYBODY.......my GOODNESS!!!!!! SMH
Hands down greatest power back of all time. His thighs where 34 inches each. He once knocked the Texas Longhorns mascot down on the sideline in college (a real Longhorn steer) . The man was a beast but he was a great person to he just wanted people to be his friend.
I’ve had the honor of meeting him a couple of times. He’s one of the nicest people. Earl Campbell is the kind of man that more professional athletes should copy. He’s a the football rep in Houston’s #34 holy trinity. (The other 2 are Nolan Ryan & Hakeem Olajuwon.)
If I had the money and cost was no factor......if I could go out and get any RB who ever lived to start my new franchise, Earl would be that guy. He could catch, pass protect, and run away from the DB's--he was unstoppable. He had speed, balance and raw power. He was one of the most unique backs who ever played the game. Earl would be my starting back on my dream team, if I could assemble the ultimate team. Every great RB had unique gifts and abilities that made him great, but Earl could be anything I'd need for him to be at any given time. He could do it all.
It just goes to show how much power he ran with when you have Jerome "The Bus" Bettis commentating. As a Titans fan I've been missing these days for God knows how long lol
When I was a kid I thought there were 2 supermen, both wore # 34, one was in Chicago and the other was in Houston, two of the best backs ever, my opinion👍
The best power Back in NFL history. I seen that Monday night game vs Miami the Rams game. I also remember crying after the AFC championship games in 78 & 79 the steel curtain was better than the houston offensive those games. Earl was the houston oilers
