Fansided

25 best NFL running backs of the 21st century

By Brad Weiss

Charger RB LaDainian Tomlinson runs down the field as the San Diego Chargers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 20 - 9 on December 17, 2006 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA. (Photo by Tracy Frankel/Getty Images)
Charger RB LaDainian Tomlinson runs down the field as the San Diego Chargers defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 20 - 9 on December 17, 2006 at Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, CA. (Photo by Tracy Frankel/Getty Images) /
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BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 31: Jamal Lewis #31 of the Baltimore Ravens carries the ball against the Denver Broncos during the AFC Wild Card Game on December 31, 2000, at PSINet Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens won the game 21-3.. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD – DECEMBER 31: Jamal Lewis #31 of the Baltimore Ravens carries the ball against the Denver Broncos during the AFC Wild Card Game on December 31, 2000, at PSINet Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland. The Ravens won the game 21-3.. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

25 best NFL running backs of the 21st century

12. player. 26. . . . Jamal Lewis

During his time at Tennessee, Jamal Lewis had to battle through injuries from time to time, but when it came time for the 2000 NFL Draft, he was seen as one of the top running backs available. The Baltimore Ravens wasted no time selecting him, taking him with the No. 5 pick overall, and it was with the Ravens where he would spend most of his NFL career.

A Super Bowl champion with Baltimore, Lewis played from 2000 through the 2006 season in Charm City, becoming one of the more punishing backs in the NFL. After rushing for nearly 1,400 yards in his first season, Lewis hurt his knee and had to miss Year 2, though it would be his third season that made him one of the premier backs of the century.

During that 2003 campaign, Lewis ran wild, rushing for over 2,000 yards, and winning the AP Offensive Player of the Year honor. In a matchup against his eventual next team, the Cleveland Browns, Lewis rushed for an NFL record of 295 yards, besting the single-game mark set by former Cincinnati Bengals star Corey Dillon.

In his nine NFL seasons, Lewis racked up 1,000 yards in seven campaigns, finished his career with over 10,000 rushing yards. He was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 2000s and was immortalized by being placed in the Ravens Ring of Honor.

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