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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Curtis Martin of the New York Jets runs for a touchdown in a game vs. the New England Patriots, won by the Jets 34-17 on 10/15/2000. (Photo by Michael Valeri/Getty Images)
Curtis Martin of the New York Jets runs for a touchdown in a game vs. the New England Patriots, won by the Jets 34-17 on 10/15/2000. (Photo by Michael Valeri/Getty Images) /

25 best NFL running backs of the 21st century

player. 30. . . . Curtis Martin. 9

Curtis Martin started his career with the New England Patriots, playing three seasons with that franchise, and taking home NFL Rookie of the Year honors in 1995. When it came time to hit free agency after three seasons with the Pats, Martin landed with AFC East rival New York and became an absolute legend, and all-time great with the Jets.

Martin played with the Jets from 1998 through the 2006 season and was a member of some of the better teams in recent memory for that franchise. He was a five-time Pro Bowl player, was named first-team All-Pro back in 2004, a year that saw him lead the NFL in rushing yards.

Racking up over 14,000 yards in his illustrious NFL career, Martin would end his career as the fourth-leading rusher in NFL history and is still ranked No. 6 overall all-time. He rushed for over 1,000 yards in each of his first ten NFL seasons, and between rushing and receiving touchdowns, found the end zone 100 times.

A member of the New York Jets Ring of Honor, Martin had his No. 28 retired by the organization, and since he left, the Jets have been one of the worst franchises in the NFL.

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