Described as a " one - man wipeout squad , " Earl Campbell was a punishing moon curser . He packed 36 - inch thighs on a 5'11 " , 233 - pound skeletal frame to make him the most feared run back of his clip .
Campbell ( born 1955 ) won the 1977 Heisman Trophy while playing for the University of Texas , leading the nation with 1,744 yard rushing .
He was the first player opt in the 1978NFL draft . take by the Houston Oilers , Campbell flower immediately , rushing for a conference - best 1,450 yard . It was the first time a cub led the conference in rushing sinceJim Browndid it 21 seasons earlier .
For his elbow grease , Campbell was named Rookie of the Year , All - Pro , and the NFL ’s Most Valuable Player . It was more of the same the next two seasons , with hasten titles , MVP honour , and consensus All - Pro eclat each year .
Pittsburgh Steelers defensive tackleJoe Greeneclaimed that Campbell could visit more damage on a team than any back he had ever face .
Although he cannonball along for more than 1,000 pace in five of his first six seasons , Campbell ’s finest season came in 1980 , when he rushed for an unbelievable 1,934 yards , the third - good rushing performance in NFL chronicle . That year , the bruising back rumbled for more than 200 yards in a record four games .
Campbell ’s most famous unmarried - biz performance , however , came in a Monday night game against the Miami Dolphins in his greenhorn time of year . That night , in front of a nationaltelevisionaudience , he ran for 199 yards and four touchdown , including a picturesque 81 - yard sprint late in the secret plan that seal a 35 - 30 victory over the Dolphins .
unluckily , the constant pound Campbell absorbed during his eight - year calling finally learn its toll . In 1985 , after a time of year and a one-half with the New Orleans Saints , Campbell denote his retreat . Five years later , he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame .
