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consecutive seasons. But his best season was one of his last - when he rushed for 2,053 yards in 1997 (becoming the third ever to rush for more than 2,000 yards). NFL fans were shocked when Sanders retired at the age of 30, still playing as if he were in his prime.

5. Eric Dickerson (L.A. Rams, Indianapolis Colts, L.A. Raiders)
Somehow, the NFL's sixth-ranked back in terms of all-time yards seems forgotten among today's fans. It's hard to believe, considering that Dickerson not only still holds the record for most rushing yards in a season (2,105 in 1984) and, over his most productive three-year run, averaged 1,910 yards per season. Beyond becoming the seventh back to break through the 10,000-yard barrier, Dickerson did it in just seven years (91 games). Dickerson made the Pro Bowl five times over his 10 full seasons and, at one time, was #2 on the all-time rushing list. Dickerson was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1999, his first year of eligibility. He is the only Indianapolis Colt in the NFL Hall of Fame - as all other Colts are from the team's days in Baltimore.

6. Earl Campbell (Houston Oilers)
Earl Campbell, the "Tyler Rose," destroyed not only NFL defenses, but the NFL's perception of what profile a good running back fits. At 5'11" and 244 pounds, Campbell was strong enough to burst through the line and fast enough to give the defensive backfield a long chase - and then ride. In his first year, Campbell was named not just Offensive Rookie of the Year, but also the NFL's Most Valuable Player. Earl's three-year best rushing average was just seven yards shy of that of Walter Payton. To solidify his legacy, Campbell was named as an Official State Hero of Texas in 1981 - only the fourth person ever to have such an honor bestowed upon them. The other three were Davy Crockett, who fought and died at the Alamo, Stephen F. Austin, the "Father of Texas" and namesake of the capitol city, and Sam Houston - president of the Republic of Texas, namesake of the city of Houston, Sam Houston State University, and model for the world's largest statue of an American.

7. O.J. Simpson (Buffalo Bills)
Before the infamous white Ford Bronco, O.J. Simpson was revered as one of the greatest players in NFL history. After struggling in each of his first three seasons on pathetic Buffalo teams, Simpson exploded for 1,000 yards for the first time in 1972, then did something no one else had ever done - rush for 2,000 yards - in 1973 (he actually gained 2,003). Three consecutive 1,000-plus-yard

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