20 best running back seasons in NFL history

CLEVELAND, OH - NOVEMBER 15, 1964: Runningback Jim Brown #32 of the Cleveland Browns awaits the next series of plays for the offense during a game on November 15, 1964 against the Detroit Lions at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. Also pictured for the Bowns include Frank Ryan #13 and Clifton McNeil #85. 64-71385 (Photo by: Herman Seid Collection/Diamond Images/Getty Images) /

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DETROIT, MI – CIRCA 1965: Gale Sayers #40 of the Chicago Bears carries the ball against the Detroit Lions during an NFL football game circa 1965 at Tiger Stadium in Detroit, Michigan. Sayers played for the Bears from 1965-71. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

1. Gale Sayers, Bears (1965)

Can you imagine how different football history would have been if the “Kansas Comet” had signed with the rival American Football League’s Kansas City Chiefs instead of the Chicago Bears?

Pro Football Hall of Fame running back Gale Sayers was the fourth overall pick in the NFL draft and the fifth overall selection in the AFL draft. Obviously, he would choose the former and enjoy a brief but Hall of Fame career in the Windy City.

To say Sayers’ initial campaign for George Halas’ club was spectacular may be considered an understatement. Keep in mind that in his second season in the league, he led the league in rushing yards (1,231) as well as total combined yards (2,440). However, the fact that he found the end zone nearly twice as many times during his rookie year compared to 1966 is the difference here.

So, it is back to 1965. Sayers scored 22 total touchdowns in 14 games. That mark remains an NFL record for a rookie season. Those scores came via the ground (14), as a pass-catcher (6), and on punt (1) and kickoff returns (1). He finished with 2,272 total combined yards that year. Against the 49ers at Wrigley Field that year, he tied the NFL record for most touchdowns in a game (6), a mark that still stands.

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