Okay, so, let’s talk about this whole “2,000-yard rushing seasons” thing in the NFL. I got really into this a while back. I mean, it’s a huge deal, right? Only a handful of guys have ever done it.
So, I started digging. I wanted to know everything about it. I spent hours just going through old game stats, you know, just to see how these legends did it.
First, I pulled up this list of all the running backs who’ve ever hit that 2,000-yard mark. It’s a short list, believe me. O.J. Simpson was the first guy. He did it back in ’73, and get this, he did it in just 14 games. That’s crazy! Then, Eric Dickerson came along in ’84 and smashed it, setting the record with 2,105 yards in a 16-game season. That record still stands, by the way.
The List
- O.J. Simpson (1973) – 2,003 yards. And like I said, he did this in 14 games. What a beast!
- Eric Dickerson (1984) – 2,105 yards. The current record holder. This guy was unstoppable.
After Dickerson, it took a while before anyone got close again. It wasn’t until 1997 that someone else joined the club. After reading about it, I realized that it’s not just about being a great runner. You also need a solid offensive line, a good game plan, and, let’s be honest, a bit of luck to stay healthy for the whole season. For example, there is a guy named Saquon Barkley, he became the ninth player to rush for 2000 yards in a season. It is a big deal!
I made a table, kind of like a leaderboard, with all these guys and their stats. It was cool to see it all laid out like that. It really puts into perspective how insane some of these seasons were. I was just a fan who read a lot of news about the NFL, I can’t believe that such few people can achieve that.
Then, I did something a little extra. I started watching old game footage of these guys. It’s one thing to read the numbers, but it’s something else to see them in action. Simpson’s moves, Dickerson’s speed… it’s just incredible. And let’s not forget about Saquon Barkley, who just hit the 2000-yard mark. Watching him play, you can see why he’s up there with the all-time greats.
Anyway, that’s basically my whole journey into the 2,000-yard rushing seasons. I just wanted to share it because it’s pretty awesome, and I think more people should know about it. I mean, these guys are legends, and their achievements are something special. These are so cool. It makes you appreciate the game and these players even more.