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NFL: Ranking every MVP winner in league history based on pro career

By Hans Themistode

NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 11: Running back Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings carries the ball during a NFL game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on September 11, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Ronald C. Modra/Getty Images)
NASHVILLE, TN - SEPTEMBER 11: Running back Adrian Peterson #28 of the Minnesota Vikings carries the ball during a NFL game against the Tennessee Titans at Nissan Stadium on September 11, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Ronald C. Modra/Getty Images) /
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Terrell Davis
Terrell Davis (Photo by Cindy Ord/Getty Images for SiriusXM ) /

Ranking every MVP winner in NFL history: 29. Terrell Davis

Stats:

  • 7,607 rushing yards
  • 60 rushing touchdowns

For as much as Terrell Davis dominated the league, his Hall of Fame credentials are truly lacking.

During his first season in the league, Davis was the unquestioned best running back in the game. In 1997, Davis rushed for 1,750 yards and led the league with 15 touchdowns. While the rest of the NFL world was already giving him his flowers and describing him as an unbelievable player, Davis merely told them to save their praise until the following year.

In terms of just pure dominance in one singular season, the year Davis put together in 1998 was as good as it gets. He led the league with 2,008 rushing yards, good for sixth on the all-time leaderboard for a single season. He also banged his head on the goalpost a total of 21 times.

With three straight Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections, Davis made players such as Barry Sanders and Jim Brown sweat as he was right on their heels for the all-time rushing record. But just when everything looked great, it quickly fell apart.

Due to chronic knee issues, Davis was forced to retire at the age of 29. Before that, he wasn’t the same since he was 26. All in all, Davis was one of the greatest running backs during his era for a short stretch but to place him amongst the games best? We simply have a difficult time doing that due to his lack of longevity.

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