San Diego Chargers: Top 10 Running Backs of All-Time
Keith Lincoln, 1961-1966
Not known by many people born in the 70s or later, Keith Lincoln is the ultimate throwback to the Chargers early days when they were still a part of the American Football League. He could do it all, truly. He was a punt returner, a kick returner, a running halfback and a receiving full back, as well.
Lincoln could both return kicks and punts, but was more utilized as a kick returner because of his size. In his first three seasons with San Diego, Lincoln returned 25 punts for 342 yards and a touchdown for 13.7 yards per return, while he took back 39 kicks for 1,018 yards and a touchdown for an unbelievable 26.1 yards per return. His best return season came in 1962 when he took back 14 kicks for 398 yards and a touchdown. That is an average of 28.4 yards per kick return.
In terms of his running game though, Lincoln was the ultimate back. As it stands, Lincoln ranks eighth in carries (573) and yards (2,698), 14th in touchdowns (15) and 23rd in yards per game (33.7) in Chargers history.
Because Lincoln was so versatile, you didn’t often see him concentrate solely on running the football. While he only rushed for over 500 yards three times, Lincoln caught for over 200 yards in every single year of his Chargers career, eventually attaining 1,689 receiving yards and 14 receiving touchdowns on 165 receptions.
Lincoln was a four-time Pro Bowl back with the Bolts and was named to the Pro Football Reference 2nd team All-1960s Team which consists of outstanding backs such as Jim Brown and Jim Taylor.
Out of Washington State University, Lincoln’s best season in the league occurred in 1963 when he rushed for a career-high 826 yards and five touchdowns on 128 carries for a league-leading 5.6 yards per carry average. His 325 receiving yards and three touchdowns on 24 receptions in 1963 made Lincoln’s 1963 season that much more dominant.
In the end though, while his rankings on the Chargers all-time lists may not be as high as the other backs on this list, he deserves recognition for his versatility and total production. Natrone Means, Ryan Mathews and Marion Butts may have more yards and touchdowns, but, for his time, Lincoln was the best all-around back in Chargers history.
Next: Number 2: Paul Lowe