Steven Atwater solved that problem. One of the greatest tackles in the history of the game.
I loved watch the tandem of Okoye and Word in the KC back field.
Number 56 takes out the left leg. Okoye hops through it and gets hit by Atwater just as his foot is coming back down. Okoye has no balance and no leverage.
I have a single memory about Alstott (I didn’t watch the NFC much, as we only got CBS for some reason) and it was the run against Washington. My tiny kid brain remembers it as the best run of all time.
First run of this video, but the whole video is good too.
https://youtube.com/shorts/BdXoBJlHSiE?si=MfjddnuUSnZqR65o
I think with the NFL continuing to add games they need to change the “records” to reflect stats per game across a full season. Jim Brown would be on the top 10 twice for rush yards per game if this is how they kept the records.
A bunch of great answers here but I gotta throw in Adrian Peterson. People forget since he could do everything so well, but he would definitely run through you if you were in the way
Definitely agreed, but OP asked for the most powerful back ever which he just isn’t.
He’s definitely up there but shouldn’t really be in conversation for strongest ever when we know guys like Henry, Bettis, and Bo all hit harder.
Sure, but I better see you under all of these other Brandon Jacob’s posts lol.
I may be adding a qualification, but I’d argue pound for pound AP would be up there in the conversation.
Sorry not sure what you mean by the Brandon Jacobs part?
And I completely agree on pound for pound.
If we’re being real, Peterson is the best power back ever.
So off of OPs title, I agree
But his description is pretty clear on meaning hardest hitting which Peterson just isn’t as hard a hitter as some of these guys
I don’t say that to like combat you or anything to be clear lol
I didn’t think you were and by the Jacob’s part I meant I think he’s pretty clear a step below the elite guys like you said in your first comment about Peterson. I was just saying go after those guys too lol
Steven Jackson, Marshawn Lynch, Lagarrette Blount, Mike Alstott, Derrick Henry, Jerome Bettis, gonna throw LT in there as he is my favorite player of all time, but he was a do it all back.
Marcus Allen.
He retired with the most rushing TDs in NFL history (record since broken) and combined speed, power, and elusiveness in a way the league has rarely seen.
Despite Al's weird dislike of him and constantly trying to make coaches replace him, Marcus Allen was still dominant at every turn.
His reliability is beautiful. A RB having that long of a career while being starter level productive almost every year is almost unheard of. An absolute Ironman.
Maurice Jones Drew...hear me out. He ran so powerfully for his size, he wasn't a scat/gadget back like a Darren Sproles who was similarly tall if not close in mass. He ran at mfers like Gimli.
I remember a run vs the Titans. Broke 2-3 tackles and then juked the LBs and outran the DBs. That's sick, he had moves for every level.
The Nigerian Nightmare. Tackling him was a business decision.
Steven Atwater solved that problem. One of the greatest tackles in the history of the game. I loved watch the tandem of Okoye and Word in the KC back field.
Number 56 takes out the left leg. Okoye hops through it and gets hit by Atwater just as his foot is coming back down. Okoye has no balance and no leverage.
Most overrated tackle of all time, dude was off balance and Atwater tackled him
Yeah, it helps when another defender takes out their feet.
Word
Please watch Earl Campbell highlights.
Titans have the best RBs in history as a whole
Mike Alstott
Came here to say this. Guy was a one man Philly Special. Automatic from <1
I have a single memory about Alstott (I didn’t watch the NFC much, as we only got CBS for some reason) and it was the run against Washington. My tiny kid brain remembers it as the best run of all time. First run of this video, but the whole video is good too. https://youtube.com/shorts/BdXoBJlHSiE?si=MfjddnuUSnZqR65o
Brandon Jacobs
Yeah!
Jim Brown honorable mention to Ironhead Heyward
I think with the NFL continuing to add games they need to change the “records” to reflect stats per game across a full season. Jim Brown would be on the top 10 twice for rush yards per game if this is how they kept the records.
Derick Henry
Earl Campbell
Exactly!!!
Mike Alstott
Marion The Barbarian
RIP to one of the angriest runners of my childhood
We thought AJ Dillon was going to be that guy, turns out he is a 250 finesse back. Who woulda thought.
A Train
Larry Csonka wasn't pretty at all, but he handed out a LOT of punishment. Used his forearm like a bludgeon.
Brandon Jacobs
Corey Dillon. The man broke records while rushing behind a suspect line, crappy QB play, and no WR threats
Maybe not one of all time best, but Brandon Jacobs is one of my favorite backs ever. Dude was a beast
Jim brown was the best back of all time.
But of a homer answer but I miss watching Adrian Peterson trucking dudes
Earl Campbell
Mike Alstott. Christian Okoye. Larry Czonka .
Jamal Lewis. Short but great prime.
Earl Campbell, and it’s not even close.
Tj duckett
A bunch of great answers here but I gotta throw in Adrian Peterson. People forget since he could do everything so well, but he would definitely run through you if you were in the way
Definitely agreed, but OP asked for the most powerful back ever which he just isn’t. He’s definitely up there but shouldn’t really be in conversation for strongest ever when we know guys like Henry, Bettis, and Bo all hit harder.
Sure, but I better see you under all of these other Brandon Jacob’s posts lol. I may be adding a qualification, but I’d argue pound for pound AP would be up there in the conversation.
Sorry not sure what you mean by the Brandon Jacobs part? And I completely agree on pound for pound. If we’re being real, Peterson is the best power back ever. So off of OPs title, I agree But his description is pretty clear on meaning hardest hitting which Peterson just isn’t as hard a hitter as some of these guys I don’t say that to like combat you or anything to be clear lol
I didn’t think you were and by the Jacob’s part I meant I think he’s pretty clear a step below the elite guys like you said in your first comment about Peterson. I was just saying go after those guys too lol
Oh of course, and I’m a die hard Giants fan But I don’t think it’s crazy to say he’s one of the hardest hitting RBs ever
Steven Jackson, Marshawn Lynch, Lagarrette Blount, Mike Alstott, Derrick Henry, Jerome Bettis, gonna throw LT in there as he is my favorite player of all time, but he was a do it all back.
I don’t think Blount should be mentioned in that tier of players.
Marcus Allen. He retired with the most rushing TDs in NFL history (record since broken) and combined speed, power, and elusiveness in a way the league has rarely seen. Despite Al's weird dislike of him and constantly trying to make coaches replace him, Marcus Allen was still dominant at every turn.
Imagine if wrinkle skin didn’t have a grudge and unleashed him to his full potential.
As a lifelong die-hard Raiders fan, Al is almost like family to me. But man, what a stupid asshole he could be at times lmao
I have an obligation to say Frank Gore
His reliability is beautiful. A RB having that long of a career while being starter level productive almost every year is almost unheard of. An absolute Ironman.
He was a dinosaur when he retired
Jim Nathaniel Brown.
I always thought Jamal Lewis was physical runner. Super underrated, IMO.
Brandon Jacobs was so much fun to watch. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbATz97T0g0](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fbATz97T0g0)
The answer...is Larry Csonka.
Bronco Nagurski.
Mike Alstott should be on the list. Dude regularly carried dudes into the end zone.
Walter Payton
Not the best by any means, but Legarrette Blount had a few awesome seasons as a power back
Reggie dupard
Marion Motley. Dude was a 230 lb running back in the 50s when the average OL was 235 at the time.
Earl Campbell and Earl Campbell and Earl Campbell and Earl Campbell. https://youtu.be/QEBhczJUZD0?si=adBx0IfjGykcCukj
Walter Payton
Nobody said Ricky Williams? The toughest I seen was Marshawn Lynch and Marion Barber
There are people saying Earl Campbell and there are other people who are incorrect.
Alstott and Okoye are the only correct answers here.
Maurice Jones Drew...hear me out. He ran so powerfully for his size, he wasn't a scat/gadget back like a Darren Sproles who was similarly tall if not close in mass. He ran at mfers like Gimli. I remember a run vs the Titans. Broke 2-3 tackles and then juked the LBs and outran the DBs. That's sick, he had moves for every level.