I don't think Earl Campbell is the greatest running back ever, but he is my favorite running back of all time. I love Emmit, love Gayle, love Marcus and Bo, but I've never seen anyone run with more ferocity, intent and aggression than Earl Campbell. The most fascinating thing to me is that he really paid, ultimately, by sacrificing his body to the game. I saw a Real Sports piece on him and he can barely walk today. It was interesting because they interviewed Tony Dorsett. Dorsett and Campbell are about the same age--but I swear Tony D could be my brother, whereas Earl looks like my father. And still in all while I was watching him, I couldn't feel sorry for him. He didn't seem pitiable at all. In fact at the end of the interview, I think he said he'd do it all again.
My thing has always been you only live once. When I think of Earl Campbell I think of some old sci-fi/fantasy/comic book deal where a diety imbues a man with great power and the chance to be a legend, but at a severe cost. That's Earl Campbell. He sacrificed his body to become a superhero--The Tyler Rose--and to claim his place in our own modern day Valhalla. This may be twisted, but I have so much more respect for that attitude, than people who just try to get by.
It's also worth noting that Campbell came across as a decent human being. He said he really regretted that hit where he put his helmet into the chest of dude from the Rams (it's in the video), because it basically ruined the kids career. Apparently after that hit, psychologically, the cat was never the same. That's heavy.
UPDATE: Spottie asks who's the closest equivalent to Campbell today? Can anyone think of anyone who comes close? I can't. I think runners are dissuaded from running like Campbell now. Coincidentally, Eddie George was in Campbell's mold--but he never had as much power or speed. And yeah, the powder blue was great. I think it sucks that it's gone.
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Awesome video. I was too young to see Earl Campbell run, but he's exactly the kind of back I'd want on my team; big, fast and not afraid to run people over. The closes modern comparison I can see is maybe Adrian Peterson, but even he lacks Campbell's physicality.
Plus, you gotta love those powder blue Oilers jerseys.
Each year that he won the rushing title, he bought gifts for each of the linemen. One year, it was Rolex watches.
There was just no quit in him.
Maurice Jones-Drew reminds me of Campbell, though he's much shorter. He has that wrecking ball style.
NTC,
Campbell did say he would do it all over again. Because, as he said, football gave him everything good he has.
What was so frightening to me was his speech. He sounded like a punch drunk boxer throughout the whole piece. It wasn't until the end that I realized that he was probably slurring and having difficulty speaking because of all the painkillers he has to take.
As for backs that remind me of Campbell, the only one that comes close in my mind at least for power and desire to knock people down is Marion Barber of your Dallas Cowboys.
I always thought Bo could have been like this, had he stayed healthy.
Then again, I'm influenced by hindsight, the Boz, and Super Tecmo Bowl.
Nah, no one even comes close. No one is willing to lay their body out on the line every play the way he did anymore. I can't say I blame them either, longevity and endorsements are the ticket these days.
Adrian Peterson is the closest today. He runs with an angry power, punishing tacklers at point of contact and he has a top notch speed. No man puts fear into him on the field right now. We will all see if he can evade injury.
That run against the Raiders where he gets clocked, and still manages to stumble into the end zone, that's one of the greatest runs ever.
Yes, Campbell was fearless, relentless, and downright brutal. His collision with Jack Tatum of the Raiders near the goal line (appeared late in the video) was legendary. Two points:
1) I love, love, LOVE football. I played in high school and a little in college (just not enough size) and treasure the experience. Still, I'm having a hard time reconciling my love for the game with the growing evidence of seriously reduced life expectancy, depression and other mental illness, and debilitating lifelong injuries/handicaps. I'm not saying I'm leaving the game or that I have any suggestions to protect the players (other than trying to figure out better pensions and health care). I guess I just find the price these guys pay to be even higher than I ever expected. One thing for sure, I (almost) never begrudge a player seeking more money.
2) Not sure I but the story about the Rams linebacker. That "kid" was Isiah Robertson, 5-time Pro Bowler who played for 12 years. He was not a Pro Bowler again after the hit, I believe, but played 5 more solid seasons. In part, it tells you how ridiculously powerful Campbell was to run through a player that good.
Adrian Peterson has more juke to his game, no? Barber is a derivative, I'd agree. And Wells, EVERYONE is influenced by hindsight, Boz and Super Tecmo Bowl. Bo was outrageous on that game.
growing up in Austin in the late 80s when UT football was in decline, Campbell was more than a legend, he was a symbol of dominance that the school had lost. Interestingly, I think I once saw/read that Campbell claimed that his older brother was a much better back, but he finished high school before major programs would take black running backs in Texas and had to go to work.
It's tempting to say there are no more Earl Campbells with the combination of brutality, speed and power. But the truth is, pretty much every 2nd string d lineman in the NFL is bigger, stronger and faster than his starting 1970s counterpart. Both sides of the ball are so much more athletic that it's hard for backs to be so dominant. Another reason why the modern NFL is so yawn inducing and why I stick to college.
Wells - definitely Bo Jackson was the first person that came to mind. The combination of his speed, strength and never-let-up were just nasty.
My favorite Earl Campbell moment is actually a commercial he did for Skoal.
I remember the tag line: "Skoal, brother."
MVP three times, and effectively done after six years. He ran so hard he was broken down after six years. But I'm with Ta-Nehisi on this one. Better to be great for a short career than average for a long one.
Adrian Petersen is a pretty good comparison, but I think he's quick enough to avoid contact. I think Larry Johnson might be a better comparison and not only for his ability; I grow sick at the thought of Herm Edwards running him into the ground, which he has done repeatedly. Stephen Jackson might be another good comparison, also, unfortunately, because his body will probably break down much sooner than an LdT. Actually, I think Jackson might be more punishing than Johnson. Too bad both of their o-lines suck.
As a Browns fan, he scared the shit out of me. He was so punishing! I'd go with Jamal Lewis today. Big, strong and fast. Not on Earl's level but really, who was?
Steven Jackson has all of these physical tools, but he dances too much. Still a hell of a back, though, and can still deliver the blow when he has to.
As a kid who grew up in Houston rooting for the Oilers, you spoke directly to my heart with this one.
Earl Campbell literally gave his body to the game. And what's remarkable is that he wound up in the Hall of Fame after only seven seasons. That speaks to his impact on the game in such a short timespan - not to mention that Campbell often ran up against 8-man fronts because the Oilers' passing game was seriously suspect.
But, yeah, he's in really bad shape. I have a friend who covers football in Texas who saw Campbell at a recent event and was reminded to start preparing an obit. A really, really sad situation.
Those Luv Ya Blue teams had some real characters. And Earl was awesome.
As a kid who grew up in Houston rooting for the Oilers, you spoke directly to my heart with this one.
Earl Campbell literally gave his body to the game. And what's remarkable is that he wound up in the Hall of Fame after only seven seasons. That speaks to his impact on the game in such a short timespan - not to mention that Campbell often ran up against 8-man fronts because the Oilers' passing game was seriously suspect.
But, yeah, he's in really bad shape. I have a friend who covers football in Texas who saw Campbell at a recent event and was reminded to start preparing an obit. A really, really sad situation.
He's not in the same zip code in terms of ability, but stylistically Brandon Jacobs is a decent comp.
It says something about how awesome Campbell was that so many of us want to compare our teams' backs to him. ;)
I've been waiting patiently for you to write this exact post. Thank you!
One of my favorite football memories was watching Campbell run. He dodged one guy, knocked another back, and ran *over* a 3rd. On the instant replay, the producers had a sound of a mad steer that they played over the video. I thought it was sooo cool. Ah, to be 13 again ;-)
Beth
Crap. Sorry to send the same post twice.
But I do think Adrian Peterson is probably the closest to Earl Campbell in running style and overall talent. They also have that East Texas connection going.
Larry Johnson and Steven Jackson aren't quite in that class, as far as speed. Bo Jackson, on the real, might have been the superior athlete to both A.D. and Earl. He was a beast.
Jamal Lewis and Jerome Bettis are the two recent backs that seem closest.
I agree that Stephen Jackson seems to dance a bit too much, but he's pretty close too.
If LenDale White get's his act together, maybe . . .
I a kid in Houston during the last Oilers surge (Warren Moon & that awful loss to the Bills). I miss the powder blues terribly. I'm jealous that so many of you got to see Campbell play. Hook 'em!
I'm also a guy who grew up in Houston, was around 10 during Campbell's 1st season.
Also met him, got his autograph. He's a very good man.
But yeah - he simply had MONSTER legs and thighs. He just ran over people, quite fun to watch, if you were an Oiler fan!
Oh, one more thing - a hearty F**K YOU to Bud Adams, clearly Satan's old and disgusting uncle.
I was*
And a second to JC on that horrible old man Bud Adams.
The closest today is Larry Johnson, without a doubt. He's a shell of his former self because Herm ran him over 416 times in one season (anything over 370 is basically the point when a running back completely breaks down). However, his 2005 season was the most brutal, intimidating season a running back ever had since Campbell. In the nine games that season after he took over for Priest Holmes he ran for over 1,400 yards and 17 touchdowns. And he did it by running through and over anyone that got in his way. The ferocity with which he ran was truly something to behold. You could actually see otherwise insane and amped up defenders slow down and hesitate to hit LJ because they were actually scared of the man.
His peak was too short (and as a Chiefs fan, I'm hoping that last year was an aberration, but somehow I doubt it), but for that half season he was the most indimidating running back since Campbell or Jim Brown, and he wasn't too far behind the next season, either.
One more think - be wared, NSFW, and has a couple of seconds of basketball - but a great - and 48 seconds short! - mashup tribute to Earl Campbell here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ty3Van5utZc.
Earl Campbell is the Juggernaut, B**CH!
I always feel sorry for guys like Campbell. He's someone who was such an astounding athlete that it was probably one of the primary ways he defined himself. To go from that to being unable to walk has to take an enormous emotional toll, far more than someone who just deals with decreasing mobility as he ages.
Sorry to post again, but the memories have been flooding in. I was born in Austin and was in high school the year Earl won the Heisman; so, even after growing up watching all those great running backs at Texas, Earl still shapes for me what a power back "should" be like.
I think it was Jack Tatum who said of tackling Campbell, "You lose 10 points from your IQ every time he hits you."
The other thing I remember was that Campbell was always slow getting up after being tackled--he wasn't hurt; it was just his way. During his rookie year, someone commented to Bum Phillips that Earl took a long time getting up. Phillips' reply: "He takes a long time going down, too."
Earl Campbell? (Shudder.)
I've been a Steelers fan since I was a wee kid (born in 1970), and I recall Earl Campbell with a frisson of fear, loathing, and grudging respect.
Now that I'm grown, all that's left is (grudge-free) respect.
This is a great writeup, Ta-Nehisi. Thanks.
Earl was my first college football hero. Here is my favorite clip of him, from his years at Texas:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YduL48Myblk&feature=related
I was at the Longhorns game when they dedicated the Campbell statue outside the stadium. He rode a golf-cart out onto the field, took two steps to a microphone, spoke, then two steps back to the cart. There were not many dry eyes in my section (except for a couple of rat-bastard Buckeye fans /jk).
This is a great writeup, Ta-Nehisi. Thanks.
Earl was my first college football hero. Here is my favorite clip of him, from his years at Texas:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YduL48Myblk&feature=related
I was at the Longhorns game when they dedicated the Campbell statue outside the stadium. He rode a golf-cart out onto the field, took two steps to a microphone, spoke, then two steps back to the cart. There were not many dry eyes in my section (except for a couple of rat-bastard Buckeye fans /jk).
Maybe it's just because they're both UT guys, but Ricky Williams reminds me of him a little.
blackink12:
I grew up in Houston at that time, too. I remember sucktastic, soon to be hot rod racer, Dan Pastorini at QB. I still remember the out of bounds call on Mike Renfro against the Steelers in the AFC Championship game(the year they beat the Rams in the Super Bowl). Campbell was their only real option on offense. He would often carry the ball 30 to 40 times a game. Try that today and the announcers will call you out for abusing the RB. And yes, those powder blue uniforms are the best.
P.S. Did that YouTube show the run against the Dolphins on MNF? The one where they tore the jersey off him(the jerseys really were tear-away back then)?
God bless you TNC!
I was going to write in and ask what you had to say about Earl, my boyhood hero.
Joe Klein's conscience writes: "I still remember the out of bounds call on Mike Renfro..."
Dude, right there with you... =-- |
"This may be twisted, but I have so much more respect for that attitude, than people who just try to get by."
I think that is a little twisted. I understand your respect for a balls-out effort. I just think that we're a better society even if those that perform at elite levels can have some sense of balance. That said, I also believe that a healthy society allows any individual to make that choice for himself--which Earl Campbell seems to have done. I just hope we never get to a point where people must give up future health and balance to even compete at elite levels.
For similar reasons, I'll never support legal doping in elite athletics as proposed by this quote: http://andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com/the_daily_dish/2008/08/let-them-use-ro.html. If it's legal, then we will get to the point where every elite athlete HAS to do it to be competitive. It's just too much risk to their future health and well-being. Olympic competitors and professional athletes will become a group circus performers for the entertainment of the citizenry. The Olympics are so amazing because our fellow citizens/ humans are doing such exceptional things ...
knoh writes: "If it's legal, then we will get to the point where every elite athlete HAS to do it to be competitive. It's just too much risk to their future health and well-being."
This is exactly backwards. I believe many (and in some sports, most) athletes are already involved in some sort of "illegal" activity. Legalizing it would have the benefit of encouraging research to make this crap safer.
"Olympic competitors and professional athletes will become a group circus performers for the entertainment of the citizenry. The Olympics are so amazing because our fellow citizens/ humans are doing such exceptional things ..."
And half of them are juiced. The Olympics were actually more fun to watch back in the days of hirsute East German women and weirdly swollen Soviets.
Either way, it's a circus and they're performers.
MoeLarryAndJesus,
If you accept that many are already doping, then I can't disagree with your conclusions. I'm still hoping, I guess.
Maybe there should be two divisions.
One, where nobody uses drugs, practice, exercise, training, etc. And, we can just appreciate their "natural" talent.
And the other, where they can do anything they want to prepare for the game and play by the rules of the actual game.
I know which one I'll watch.
Don't forget Sweetness! Walter Payton ran with a grace that masked the punishment he meted out. Check the video.
That said, I agree with everything you said about Campbell. I don't anyone will match his sheer power.
Jim Brown?
Jim Brown?
Jim Brown?
I wish that I could buy into the whole "it was worth it" approach. The fact is that many former NFL players, especially those from Campbell's time and before, face a crippled post-football life.
I know that many of them might say that they wouldn't change a thing, but I wonder if pride somehow influences those responses. Would we really expect someone who ran with the pride--as demonstrated by his unwillingness to take the easy way out near the end of his runs--of Earl Campbell to say that he wishes he had taken it a little easier back in the day?
It's great to be a hero, but I think even heroes sometimes regret those sacrifices, even if they refuse to admit it.
I think it's fine to doubt whether others are right when they say or judge that their sacrifices were worth it.
But, I think it's demeaning to presume to force one's judgement on others.
These are very personal choices, and we can't know how someone else values things. And, even if they're making a mistake, I think it's an important aspect of being human to have the freedom to make those (considered) mistakes.
Of course, this applies to lots of nanny-state laws, as well as sports.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8PBvOxicz-0
Couldn't help posting this. Best game ever. I still have my notebook of records.
Anyway, after watching Earl, I've just always appreciated watching Edge James run. Get what you can. If you need it lower your head, but sometimes the jig is up and you just need to get your ass out of bounds.
Here's an idea: Tim Tebow? Or is that too far outside the realm, being both in college and a QB? Or does that make him all the more unbelievable?
Jeremy Shockey, in his first two years with the Giants, ran like Earl Campbell.
Nowadays he's nothing, but those two years he was *great*.
Bob hope joked that Bum Phillips had a play for every situation--a hand off to Earl Campbell
Campbell is definitely my favorite running back, and that Real Sports episode broke my heart.
I read somewhere, I think it was in The Nation, that NFL players from the 50s and 60s have lifespans that are reduced by about ten years.
I think the reason the NFL is so stingy with its pension is because they are scared about all the guys who will be wrecked by steroids in the future.
To borrow a phrase from Kris Kristofferson, steroid users are *trading in tomorrow for today.*
I hate to burst your bubble, but the NFL is already dealing with an abundance of retired players who were juicing. It's widely accepted that the Steelers and Raiders teams of the late '70s (especially on the defensive end) were fueled largely by steroids. Injuries involving torn ligaments (which are weakened by steroids) skyrocketed starting in the mid-70's. And certain freakish performances like Mark Gastineau's sack record (admitted that he was on steroids) or the career paths of Herschel Walker and Erik Dickerson (granted this is speculation on my part, but there's not a doubt in my mind that the insanely fast rise and sudden decline and injury-plauged mid-careers were brought on by steroids) are pretty much the result of steroids.
While I have no doubt that there are still tons of players juicing, the fact that the NFL implemented testing at all in the mid-80's has lead the scale of steroid abuse to decline (basically it's easier to get away with taking steroids if you only do it in the offseason and only take low doses, instead of injecting massive quantities each day like Lyle Alazedo and Mark Gastineau admitted to doing). Essentially while NFL steroid use may well be just as or more widespread as it's peak in the late 70's and early 80's, insane steroid overdoses that have horrific negative impacts on health are almost certainly down.
I was very young when Earl C dazzled us for the Oilers. I dont think anyone today compares to his style of running. But do you see Marion Barber's explosive, run-you-over way of playing somewhat similar?
I have been a fan of the Dallas Cowboys since I was four years old (I am 38 now)
My dad says I could name the starting offensive line for them at age 4.
Pretty good for a woman, huh?
Ta-nehisi, do you ever dream of working for the Dallas Cowboy organization like I do?
"I read somewhere, I think it was in The Nation, that NFL players from the 50s and 60s have lifespans that are reduced by about ten years."
I can't remember the player or team, but during a recent salary dispute, a lineman argued that he deserved a higher salary becase few 350 lb. people live past their 60s. It was a pretty jarring comment. The guy knows he's giving up years of his life to maintain the size his team wants him to be, and so he wants to be handsomely rewarded. Hard to argue with that.
While he;s not nearly as good, CLinton Portis has the same combination of speed and power and runs as recklessly, sacrificing his body for a few extra yards
love Gayle
Gale.
I love Earl too, but you could see it coming. No one who plays like that will have a long career or be healthy at the end of it.
Just read this in Dave Campbell's Texas Football magazine ...
Earl Campbell rushed for more than 1,00 yards in the 1973 high school playoffs. Just in the playoffs!
In Texas that's six games (if you go all the way to the championship, which he did) against the best teams in the state.
Awesome.
Only one mention of Marion Barber on this thread. Shameful. They don't call the guy, "Marion The Barbarian," for nothing.
Only one mention of Marion Barber on this thread. Shameful. They don't call the guy, "Marion The Barbarian," for nothing.
I have no idea how I double posted. Sorry.
Marion Barber splits carries. Like, more than most backs...
NEXT!!!
I saw a game back in the early 1970s when Earl Campbell played linebacker for the Tyler team. He was so dangerous, and so productive as a running back, that the coaches moved him to offense full time. Otherwise he would have killed several poor ball carriers.
The question wasn't number of carries but style. When it comes to punishing backs few playing today are as brutal as Barber. His stiff-arm is more like a right cross. He relishes contact with or without the ball. Dude loves to block.
Barber will be carrying more of the load this year although he will be splitting time with Felix Jones. Most NFL backs split time. Even Purple Jesus and LT have second bananas. Nobody in the NFL will ever carry the load that Campbell and the other great backs of the past did. And that's a good thing. It adds up to longer careers and more highlight reel moments.
If I was MY bubble you were worried about Tom B, you can relax. I know that the NFL basically condoned the use of steroids way back in the 70s. (I heard Lyle Alzado's brother say that Alzado began using roids in 1969!) My point about the NFL and its pension (which I should have stated more clearly)is that if the NFL ever admitted that they knew about the rampant steroid use from the 70s onward, they might face liability claims for allowing steroids to physically destroy so many players (pardon the split infinitive). I recall a case of an ex-NFL player who was addicted to painkillers who tried to sue the league because they were his original pushers. I believe he lost his case.
No, Matt J, I realize its not about carries. But it certainly makes it easier to play a bruising styles when you have fewer carries. And like I said before, Barber splits carries even more than most backs. But really, I was just giving you a hard time because you're a Cowboys fan like TNC.
No sweat. We're the fans you love to hate.
Just stumbled in here today and didn't realize TNC was a Boys fan. One more reason to love this blog.
I get your point. It makes what Campbell did all the more impressive. He was a truly a god amongst men.
What's your rooting interest so I can look forward to MB3 paying your linebackers a visit? (rubs hands deviously)
"Ta-nehisi, do you ever dream of working for the Dallas Cowboy organization like I do?"
DO I????
In fifth grade our term for a great play on the street, sandlot, school field, whatever, was "Earl Campbell."
"What's your rooting interest so I can look forward to MB3 paying your linebackers a visit?"
I'm a Rams fan, okay?!? Leave me alone. We played you last year. Stay away!!
I first met Earl Campbell when he was being recruited by the University of Texas, so I tend to remember him as a young man. It breaks my heart to see him now, and I have a hard time believing that he really would do it all again.
One good aspect of his situation is that he is financially comfortable. Most NFL players don't make as much as the stars, and college players aren't paid at all, yet they undergo tremendous physical punishment. Playing big time college ball can be a tough way to get a free college education.
I say this as a native Texan who decided at age 12 that I wanted to attend the University of Texas so I could go to the football games. But, then, as the girlfriend of a player (my tweenage dreams came true), I saw the ugly side up close. The recruiting, the "help" on grades, the thousands of hours spent on practice and training -- it's a ruthless system.
As long as the Longhorns are playing, I'll root for them, but I'm sad to say that college football often disgusts me.
I will never publicly admit that any back was better than Sweetness, but I loved watching Earl.
As an aside, I can't believe that Eric Dickerson doesn't get more love. Short career, yes, but rather dominating while he played.
The closest resemblance is Dwyane Wade. Quickness, power, and willingness to sacrifice his body. It is a shame that he plays another sport.
i have follewed earls career from high school to the pros and still say to this day he was the best back i ever saw . hope your back sugery went well @ recover soon