Running backs have given football some of its most exciting highlights ever. This One Gotta Go card puts four legends in the same backfield: Barry Sanders, Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith and Eric Dickerson. Each one ran with a style all his own, and each one has fans who call him the best ever.
Three of them stay in the record books, and one is erased. Think about the highlights you have watched over and over, the player your family loved and the stats you can quote from memory. Then make your pick and explain to the football fans in your group what made your top three great.
Barry Sanders vs Walter Payton vs Emmitt Smith vs Eric Dickerson
A. Barry Sanders
Barry Sanders made tacklers miss in ways nobody had seen, and his highlight reels are still jaw dropping. He retired suddenly in 1999 while still near his peak. Some fans hold that early exit against him, since he left records on the table.
Keep it if: You think he was the most exciting runner ever, and his highlight reel is the best in football history.
B. Walter Payton
Walter Payton, known as Sweetness, combined toughness and grace for the Chicago Bears and won a Super Bowl. He is also remembered for his character, and the NFL's Man of the Year award carries his name. Younger fans may only know him from old footage.
Keep it if: You love a runner who never ran out of bounds and you know what Sweetness meant to the game.
C. Emmitt Smith
Emmitt Smith is the NFL's all-time leading rusher and won three Super Bowls with the Dallas Cowboys. He was durable and consistent. Critics say he benefited from a great offensive line, which some use as a reason to cut him.
Keep it if: You value consistency and championships, and you think the all-time rushing record speaks for itself.
D. Eric Dickerson
Eric Dickerson set the single season rushing record in 1984 with an upright style and those famous goggles. His peak was incredible. He gets mentioned less than the other three, which makes him the easiest cut for many fans.
Keep it if: You know his single season record has stood for decades, and you love his smooth, upright running style.
Our take
We would cut Eric Dickerson, even with that amazing record. Sanders has the highlights, Payton has the legacy and Emmitt has the all-time rushing crown and the rings. The most fun debate usually comes from Barry Sanders fans against Emmitt Smith fans, since it is pure talent against long term production. Pull up a highlight reel for each and let everyone vote after watching. Then ask who would win a race to the end zone if all four played today.
How to play this card with friends
- Read the four choices out loud.
- Everyone picks the one they'd eliminate at the same time.
- Explain your pick. This is where the fun starts.
- Use the follow-up questions below to keep it going.
Follow-up questions to keep the debate going
- Which running back had the best peak?
- Does a great offensive line matter more than the runner?
- Should Barry Sanders have played longer?
- Which running back would you add to this card?
Want more debates like this? Get the One Gotta Go card game for game night, family dinners and road trips. Shop the decks.
Running Backs: quick answers
Who is the NFL's all-time leading rusher?
Emmitt Smith is the NFL's all-time leading rusher, with more than 18,000 rushing yards across his career with the Dallas Cowboys and Arizona Cardinals. He passed Walter Payton for the record in 2002 and won three Super Bowls with Dallas.
What is the NFL single season rushing record?
Eric Dickerson set the single season rushing record with 2,105 yards for the Los Angeles Rams in 1984. Several players have come close since, but the record has lasted for decades, which makes it one of the most impressive marks in the sport.
