10 Heisman Trophy winners with best NFL careers

10 Heisman winners with best NFL careers

PONTIAC, : Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders (2ndL) tries to outrun Minnesota Vikings defenders Corey Fuller (L), Ed McDaniel (2ndR) and Dixon Edwards (R) during the fourth quarter of their 25 October game at the Silverdome in Pontiac, Michigan. The Vikings beat the Lions 34-13. AFP Photo/Jeff KOWALSKY (Photo credit should read JEFF KOWALSKY/AFP/Getty Images) /

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Mandatory Credit: Walter Iooss Jr. /Sports Illustrated/Getty Images /

4. O.J. Simpson

Tragically, everyone remembers O.J. Simpson for his post-career incidents rather than his career. Because Simpson is easily one of the best running backs of all-time. “The Juice” went to USC and won the 1968 Heisman Trophy, accounting for 2,091 yards from scrimmage with 23 touchdowns (all rushing).

Simpson was drafted by the Buffalo Bills with the first overall pick of the 1969 NFL Draft. The Heisman Trophy winner took a while to get going, but in his prime, he led the league in rushing yards four times in five seasons. During his career, Simpson set an NFL record with 143.1 rushing yards per game in 1973. To this day, his 2,003 rushing yards in 1973 is an NFL record.

Next: Ranking The Best Heisman Trophy Winners Of All-Time

He retired with 11,236 rushing yards, 61 rushing touchdowns, 2,142 receiving yards and 14 receiving touchdowns. Simpson retired after a 10-season career at the age of 35. Before his legal shenanigans, he did a variety of things, including acting.

Simpson’s relevance is worth noting as well. He played during a time African Americans were struggling to succeed in the sports world. Simpson became one of the NFL’s first African American stars, starring in commercials and movies. It’s sad his legal troubles happened because they stain what was otherwise an excellent career in the NCAA and NFL.

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