NFL Spin Zone
Fansided

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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
24 of 50
Next
Earl Campbell
Earl Campbell (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

Ranking every MVP winner in NFL history: 27. Earl Campbell

Stats: 

  • 9,407 rushing yards
  • 74 rushing touchdowns

No other running back was more dominant during their first three years in the league than Earl Campbell.

His highlight tapes coming out Texas University were legendary. In his final season, Campbell rushed for 1,744 and 18 touchdowns. He unsurprisingly won the Heisman Trophy in that same year.

Still, we’ve seen plenty of successful and freakish athletes on the college level, become instant busts in the NFL. The Houston Oilers found it impossible for Campbell to be anything other than a great player and took him with the first overall pick in the 1978 NFL Draft. They didn’t regret it.

Campbell led the league in rushing yards in year one with 1,450. He then proceeded to do it again two more times. In three years, Campbell led the league in rushing yards and yards per game. He took home the MVP award in his second year after rushing for 1,697 yards and 19 touchdowns, while the Oilers won 11 games.

Surprisingly, his numbers were even better the following season as he almost broke through the 2,000-yard mark with 1,934. He also led the league in rushing touchdowns once again, this time with 13. The Oilers won 11 games once more but Campbell wasn’t given the MVP award this time around.

Injuries began taking their toll on Campbell over his final years in the league and by the time he was 30, he was forced to hang up his cleats for good.

Home/NFL