Who Holds The NFL Single Season Rushing Record?

Who Holds The NFL Single Season Rushing Record?

Emmitt Smith

On December 8, 2002, Emmitt Smith of the Dallas Cowboys broke the record for most career rushing yards, previously held by Walter Payton of the Chicago Bears. Smith, who was in his 13th NFL season, had already broken Payton’s record for most rushing yards in a season earlier that year. He would go on to play two more seasons with the Cowboys, before retiring in 2004.

Drafted by the Dallas Cowboys

In the 1990 NFL Draft, the Dallas Cowboys selected Smith in the first round with the 17th overall pick. Smith was the second running back drafted, after Emmitt Smith. He was also the second wide receiver drafted that year, after Raghib Ismail. He became only the fourth running back in Cowboys history to be selected in the first round, joining Calvin Hill, Duane Thomas, and Herschel Walker

Rushed for 1,773 yards in 1995

In 1995, Dallas Cowboys running back Emmitt Smith set the NFL single-season rushing record with 1,773 yards. Smith’s record stood for 11 years before being broken by Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson, who rushed for 2,097 yards in 2008.

Smith’s record-breaking season came during his fifth year in the NFL. He had rushed for 1,563 yards the previous season, which was the second-highest total in NFL history at the time. Smith continued his strong play in 1995, leading the league in rushing yards and rushing touchdowns. He helped lead the Cowboys to a 10-6 record and a playoff berth.

In the playoffs, Smith rushed for 167 yards and two touchdowns as the Cowboys defeated the Green Bay Packers in the NFC Divisional Round. They then went on to beat the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship Game, setting up a matchup with the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XXX.

In the Super Bowl, Smith had 30 rushing yards and a touchdown as the Cowboys won their fourth NFL Championship, defeating the Steelers by a score of 27-17.

Won the Super Bowl in 1995

Emmitt Smith was born on May 15, 1969 in Pensacola, Florida. He attended Escambia High School, where he played running back for the school’s football team. In his senior year, Smith was named to the All-American team. He then went on to play college football for the University of Florida.

In 1990, Smith was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round of the NFL Draft. He would go on to play for the Cowboys for thirteen seasons. During his time with the Cowboys, Smith won three Super Bowls (1992, 1993, and 1995). In 1995, he set a then-NFL record for most rushing yards in a single season with 1,773 yards. This record would stand until it was broken by LaDainian Tomlinson in 2006.

After leaving the Cowboys in 2002, Smith played for two other teams: the Arizona Cardinals and the Seattle Seahawks. He retired from football in 2005.

Adrian Peterson

Adrian Lewis Peterson (born March 21, 1985) is an American football running back for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Vikings seventh overall in the 2007 NFL Draft. Peterson set the NCAA freshman rushing record with 1,925 yards as a true freshman during the 2004 season. As a unanimous first-team All-American, he became the first freshman to finish as the runner-up in the Heisman Trophy balloting.

Drafted by the Minnesota Vikings

In the 2007 NFL Draft, Adrian Peterson was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings with the seventh overall pick. As a rookie, Peterson set an NFL single-game rushing record with 296 yards against the San Diego Chargers in Week 16. He was named the AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and made the Pro Bowl.

Rushed for 2,097 yards in 2012

Adrian Lewis Peterson (born March 21, 1985) is an American football running back for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the University of Oklahoma, and was drafted by the Vikings seventh overall in the 2007 NFL Draft.

Peterson set the NCAA freshman rushing record with 1,925 yards as a true freshman during the 2004 season. As a unanimous first-team All-American, he became the first freshman to finish as the runner-up in Heisman Trophy voting. Peterson finished his college career as Oklahoma’s third all-time leading rusher with 4,045 yards, behind only DeMarco Murray and Billy Sims.

His 2,097 rushing yards in 2012 was the second most in a single season in NFL history, trailing only Eric Dickerson’s 2,105 yards in 1984. Peterson’s effort helped him earn consensus First Team All-Pro and Associated Press NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors for 2012. For his accomplishments during the 2012 season, he received 27 out of 50 votes for NFL MVP, making him tied for third overall.

Won the MVP award in 2012

Adrian Lewis Peterson (born March 21, 1985) is an American football running back for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Vikings seventh overall in the 2007 NFL Draft. Peterson set an NFL single-game rushing record when he ran for 296 yards against the San Diego Chargers in 2007. In 2012, he became just the seventh player in NFL history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season with 2,097. As a result of his on-field performance and off-field achievements, Peterson was named All-Pro four times and elected to six Pro Bowls. He has also been named AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, AP NFL MVP, and has been selected to six All-Pro teams.

Jamal Lewis

Jamal Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens holds the NFL’s single season rushing record with 2066 yards, which he set in the 2003 NFL season.

Drafted by the Baltimore Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens selected Lewis in the first round (fifth overall) of the 2000 NFL Draft. He was the fifth running back selected, after Jamal Anderson, Ricky Williams, Edgerrin James, and Thomas Jones. In his rookie season, he rushed for 1,364 yards and nine touchdowns on 295 carries. His yardage total set a new Ravens record for a rookie and was the sixth best rookie season in NFL history. He was named All-Pro and was selected for the Pro Bowl.

Rushed for 2,066 yards in 2003

Jamal Lewis of the Baltimore Ravens rushed for 2,066 yards during the 2003 NFL season. This record has stood for 17 years, and many experts believe that it will never be broken.

Why is this record so unbreakable? In order to understand, we must take a look at some of the other factors involved in setting a single season rushing record.

For starters, the NFL has changed its rules over the years to make it harder for running backs to rack up yardage. In 1978, the league introduced a rule that awarded an extra point for any touchdown scored from outside the red zone (the area between the 20-yard line and the goal line). This made it less likely that teams would attempt to score on long runs, as they could simply settle for a shorter gain and an easy extra point.

In addition, teams are now more likely to pass than they were in 2003. The league has been moving towards a more pass-happy style of play for several years now, and this trend is unlikely to reverse itself anytime soon. This means that running backs are getting fewer opportunities to rack up carries and yardage.

Finally, we must consider the fact that football is simply a much more physical game than it was even just a few decades ago. Players are bigger, faster, and Stronger than they used to be, which makes it harder for any one player to stand out from the pack.

All of these factors combine to make Jamal Lewis’ record seem virtually unbreakable. It would take an extraordinary performance from an exceptionally talented player to even have a chance at breaking it.

Won the Super Bowl in 2000

Jamal Lewis (born August 26, 1985) is a former American football running back who played 12 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at the University of Tennessee, and was drafted by the Baltimore Ravens fifth overall in the first round of the 2000 NFL Draft. After spending his first seven seasons with the Ravens, he played for the Cleveland Browns for four seasons, then rejoined the Ravens for his final season in 2009.

Lewis ranks tenth in NFL history with 10,607 rushing yards and was named to two Pro Bowls. He won a Super Bowl championship with Baltimore in 2000. He holds the Ravens’ franchise records for most career rushing attempts (2,054) and rushing yards (9,780).

In Lewis’s 2000 season, he set an NFL record with 2,295 all-purpose yards from scrimmage.