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To rate the greatest running backs of all time, you have to consider a lot of different factors. First, how productive were they? What kind of offense did they operate in? Who were their supporting players? How many Pro Bowls, Super Bowls, MVP's, etc. did they win? When you look at all these factors, it's not hard to pick out the very best of the best, the cream of the crop, the greatest NFL running backs of all time.

I. Barry Sanders is the best in my mind. Even though Emmitt Smith will always be remembered as better because he had so many more accolades and championships he was also blessed with a much better team to play with. It is a very close race between the two. On some days, I think Emmitt was better, but today isn't one of them.

II. Emmitt Smith is second on the list. If you don't know who he is then why are you even reading this? He won three Super Bowls, an MVP, a Super Bowl MVP, a buttload of rushing titles, and he is the NFL's all time leading rusher. He also set the record for most TDs in a season though it has been broken since then.

III. Tony Dorsett is the third guy on the list. When I was growing up my dad used to watch old Dallas Cowboys games on VHS video tape and I fell in love with the way he ran. He even has the longest run in the history of the NFL, which is 99 yards.

IV. Earl Campbell is fourth. He was also one of my dad's favorites even though he is not as big of an Oilers fan as he is a Dallas Cowboys fan. We grew up in Houston and I have seen my share of Earl Campbell's old game videos. The incredible thing about him is that he was totally huge, bigger than Bettis, and he still ran like he was running downhill.

V. Walter Payton goes number five on my list because of his amazing years with the Chicago Bears. They called him "Sweetness" and he was the biggest star on the Bear's 1985 Super Bowl Champion team, which destroyed the New England Patriots in the big game. It's amazing that the Patriots ever made the Super Bowl before Tom Brady. Payton ran with a unique style and was always a factor.

In closing, those are my selections. I think it's pretty solid.

Learn more about this author, Tre Callahan.
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