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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Seattle’s #37 Shaun Alexander works to pick up yardage against the Titans on December 18, 2005, at the Coliseum, in Nashville, Tennessee. Seattle defeated Tennessee 28-24. (Photo by Rex Brown/NFLPhotoLibrary)
Seattle’s #37 Shaun Alexander works to pick up yardage against the Titans on December 18, 2005, at the Coliseum, in Nashville, Tennessee. Seattle defeated Tennessee 28-24. (Photo by Rex Brown/NFLPhotoLibrary) /

25 best NFL running backs of the 21st century

36. . . . Shaun Alexander. 8. player

In another in a long list of star running backs to come out of Alabama, Shaun Alexander was a first-round selection of the Seattle Seahawks back in 2000. Playing in Seattle through the 2007 NFL season, Alexander became one of the NFL’s brightest stars, scoring touchdowns at a rapid pace, and becoming one of the greatest running backs of the 21st century.

Alexander, who is a member of the Alabama Sports Hall of Fame, had a five-year run that is hard to match in any decade, as he ran wild in the Northwest, winning the NFL’s Most Valuable Player award in 2005. During that magical season, Alexander rushed for an incredible 1,880 yards, scored 27 touchdowns, and averaged over five yards per carry.

With that, he became the first member of the Seahawks franchise to win the MVP award, and his 100 rushing touchdowns is still the eighth-best mark in NFL history. Even in defeat against Pittsburgh in Super Bowl XL, Alexander stole the show, leading the game in rushing yards. Unfortunately, injuries took their toll after the 2005 season.

All told, Alexander led the NFL in rushing touchdowns two seasons, was named to five Pro Bowls, and was named to the NFL’s All-Decade Team for the 2000s. He took over for a star in Seattle in Ricky Watters and became an even bigger star, even if it was for only a five-year run.

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