San Diego Chargers: Top 10 Running Backs of All-Time
Oct 20, 2013; Jacksonville, FL, USA; San Diego Chargers helmet lays on the field after the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at EverBank Field. Mandatory Credit: Melina Vastola-USA TODAY Sports
Don Wood, 1974-1980
“Knock on wood” is a popular American phrase that was taken from the british “touch wood” phrase. According to phrases.org, its American origins date back to the early 20th century; for example, The Syracuse Herald, February 1905: “Neglecting to knock on wood may have been responsible for the weather’s unseemly behaviour today.”
With that stated, during Don Woods’ seven seasons with San Diego he was the one knocking everyone down, not the reverse. After Woods’ 1,162-yard, seven-touchdown rookie season, nobody could knock on Woods especially considering the fact that he pulled the numbers he did in just 12 games. That’s nearly 100 yards per game rushing the football.
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Looking back, it was Woods’ underrated speed and power combination that helped Woods to receive the 1974 AP Rookie of the Year Award. Of course his 26 catches for 349 yards and three touchdowns did help, but it was mainly Woods’ rushing abilities that helped him to earn the award.
Unfortunately for Chargers fans, injuries caused Woods’ play to slowly deteriorate over the next five seasons. After Woods’ rookie season, which saw him rush for 5.1 yards per carry, the former University of New Mexico alum never saw the 5.0 yards per carry barrier again (let alone the 4.0 yards per carry barrier).
From 1975-1979, Woods averaged just 3.5 yards per carry, eventually landing in San Francisco after just two games with the Bolts in 1980.
To his credit though, Woods holds a strong position in Chargers’ rushing history, ranking seventh in carries (713) and yards (2,858), 13th in touchdowns (16) and 10th in yards per game (47.6). Not to mention, Woods showed admirable receiving skills out of the backfield catching 125 passes for 1,187 yards and five touchdowns during his career with SD.
In the end, it was his rookie season that gives him the position that he has. Nobody with that type of production deserves a low ranking on this list.
Next: Number 7: By any Means necessary