The 40 Greatest Running Backs Of All Time

It’s a question that’s no doubt been posed at every sports bar, stadium, and fantasy football league meeting across the land. Who is the best running back of all time? Well, based on the career rushing yards for each player, we’ve come up with a list of 40 that would easily walk — or more accurately, run — into the G.O.A.T. conversation.

40. Jim Taylor

Total rushing yards: 8,597


Teams: Green Bay Packers, New Orleans Saints


Years active: 1958-1967


Description: Renowned for his imposing frame and aggressive running style, Jim Taylor spent most of his career with the Green Bay Packers. His most successful period came in the early ’60s when he rushed for more than 1,000 yards in five consecutive seasons. Taylor was also a vital part of the team’s three NFL Championship-winning line-ups.

39. Terry Allen

Total rushing yards: 8,614


Teams: Minnesota Vikings, Washington Redskins, New England Patriots, New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Ravens


Years active: 1991-2001


Description: Terry Allen was considered past his prime when the Washington Redskins signed him as a free agent in 1995. Yet the former Minnesota Vikings star went on to amass an impressive 1,353 yards and 21 touchdowns the following season and enjoyed a total of five years at FedExField. You may be surprised, then, to learn that he was only selected for the Pro Bowl on one occasion.

38. Ahman Green

Total rushing yards: 9,205


Teams: Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, Houston Texans


Years active: 1998-2009


Description: Ahman Green cemented his place in the Green Bay Packers’ record books in 2009 when he overtook Jim Taylor for the most rushing yards in franchise history. He also enjoyed a total of six 1,000-yard seasons with the franchise, which signed him from the Seattle Seahawks at the turn of the century. Green’s early years with the team also resulted in four Pro Bowl selections in a row.

37. Earl Campbell

Total rushing yards: 9,407


Teams: Houston Oilers, New Orleans Saints


Years active: 1978-1985


Description: Earl Campbell had quite the start to his Houston Oilers career. Yes, he was crowned both MVP — Most Valuable Player — and Rookie of the Year in his first season with the franchise. And the running back also surpassed the 1,300-yard mark in all but one of his six full years at the Houston Astrodome. Sadly, injury cut short his glittering career in 1985.

36. Shaun Alexander

Total rushing yards: 9,453


Teams: Seattle Seahawks, Washington Redskins


Years active: 2000-2008


Description: Shaun Alexander broke all kinds of records during his stint with the Seattle Seahawks in the ‘00s. He scored a remarkable 73 rushing touchdowns within the space of just four seasons. And in 2005, the running back was crowned the league’s MVP, having guided the franchise to their first-ever Super Bowl. If his career hadn’t been dogged by injuries, Alexander may well have achieved even more.

35. Chris Johnson

Total rushing yards: 9,651


Teams: Tennessee Titans, New York Jets, Arizona Cardinals


Years active: 2008-2017


Description: Chris Johnson almost gave Usain Bolt a run for his money when he played for the Tennessee Titans. The running back’s lightning pace helped him get within striking distance of the 10,000-yard mark, which was no easy feat given his relatively short career. Many critics believe that he’d have been inducted into the Hall of Fame by now had he played for a better team.

34. Joe Perry

Total rushing yards: 9,723


Teams: San Francisco 49ers, Baltimore Colts


Years active: 1948-1963


Description: One of the NFL’s pioneering figures, Joe Perry was the first-ever player of color to be crowned MVP. The San Francisco 49ers icon had also amassed a then-record of 9,723 rushing yards by the time he hung up his boots. And the man nicknamed "The Jet," whose career stretched from 1948 until 1963, was twice named an All-Pro, too.

33. Matt Forte

Total rushing yards: 9,796


Teams: Chicago Bears, New York Jets


Years active: 2008-2017


Description: Matt Forte established himself as an all-time great during almost a decade with the Chicago Bears. He was the franchise’s first-ever player to amass 900 rushing yards in every single one of his first seven seasons. The running back also came within a whisker of achieving the feat in his eighth. In fact, he only missed out by just two agonizing yards!

32. Clinton Portis

Total rushing yards: 9,923


Teams: Denver Broncos, Washington Redskins


Years active: 2002-2010


Description: Clinton Portis quickly endeared himself to the Washington Redskins after signing from the Denver Broncos. He surpassed the 1,000 rushing yards mark four times and in 2008 was selected for the Pro Bowl. But you may remember that he was just as entertaining in his post-game interviews as he was on the football field.

31. Ricky Williams

Total rushing yards: 10,009


Teams: New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens


Years active: 1999-2011


Description: Ricky Williams’ questionable extra-curricular activities often overshadowed his achievements on the field. But when he was in form, few running backs could compete. The Miami Dolphins star was particularly impressive in the 2002 season when he scored no fewer than 16 touchdowns and averaged an incredible 115.8 yards per game.

30. Ottis Anderson

Total rushing yards: 10,273


Teams: St. Louis Cardinals, New York Giants


Years active: 1979-1992


Description: After overcoming various injury problems, Ottis Anderson established himself as an all-time great for both the St. Louis Cardinals and the New York Giants. While playing for the latter in 1989, he was crowned as the NFL Comeback Player of the Year. Anderson was also given the MVP title after guiding the G-Men to triumph at Super Bowl XXV.

29. Marshawn Lynch

Total rushing yards: 10,413


Teams: Buffalo Bills, Seattle Seahawks, Oakland Raiders


Years active: 2007-2019


Description: Marshawn Lynch’s astounding 67-yard run in the 2011 playoffs against the New Orleans Saints is considered by many to be the finest example of an NFL rushing play ever. The man nicknamed "Beast Mode" also helped to steer the Seattle Seahawks to victory at Super Bowl XLVIII. Add in his career rushing touchdown tally of 84 and five Pro Bowl selections and he’s a shoo-in for the Hall of Fame.

28. Eddie George

Total rushing yards: 10,441


Teams: Houston/Tennessee Oilers/Titans, Dallas Cowboys


Years active: 1996-2004


Description: Eddie George was named an All-Pro while playing for the Houston Oilers and then again when the team transitioned into the Tennessee Titans. He also enjoyed one of the most enduring careers in the history of his position. In fact, Walter Payton is the only running back who started more regular season games in a row.

27. Tiki Barber

Total rushing yards: 10,449


Team: New York Giants


Years active: 1997-2006


Description: By the time Tiki Barber waved goodbye to the NFL in 2006, he’d become the New York Giants’ all-time leading rusher. The three-time Pro Bowler amassed more than 10,000 yards during his decade-long career with the franchise. Much to his fans’ disappointment, the running back has yet to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

26. Thomas Jones

Total rushing yards: 10,591


Teams: Arizona Cardinals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Chicago Bears, New York Jets, Kansas City Chiefs


Years active: 2000-2011


Description: Thomas Jones only played 45 games for the Chicago Bears but still made the franchise’s all-time Top Ten leading rushers list. The running back also guided the team to the Super Bowl during his three seasons before moving to the New York Jets, where he added a Pro Bowl selection to his resume. Jones was quite the journeyman, having played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Arizona Cardinals, and the Kansas City Chiefs, too.

25. Jamal Lewis

Total rushing yards: 10,607


Teams: Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns


Years active: 2000-2009


Description: Jamal Lewis achieved an astonishing career average of 81 rush yards per game by the time he retired from the sport in 2009. His golden year proved to be 2003, when he scored 14 touchdowns and amassed 2,066 rushing yards. Three seasons earlier, Lewis had also helped the Baltimore Ravens win the first Super Bowl of the new millennium.

24. Ricky Watters

Total rushing yards: 10,643


Teams: San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks


Years active: 1992-2001


Description: Ricky Watters was selected for the Pro Bowl on no fewer than five occasions but somehow never made it as an All-Pro. The man nicknamed “Running” also helped the San Francisco 49ers lift the Lombardi Trophy during his decade-long stint in the NFL. Spells with the Seattle Seahawks and the Philadelphia Eagles added to Watters’ impressive career rushing yards total of 10,643.

23. Warrick Dunn

Total rushing yards: 10,967


Teams: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Atlanta Falcons


Years active: 1997-2008


Description: Warrick Dunn wasted little time establishing himself in the NFL after being drafted in 1997. He was named a Pro Bowler and crowned Offensive Rookie of the Year in his first season with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers; the running back twice achieved the 1,000 rushing yard mark during his long-running stint with the franchise. Interestingly enough, he now owns a minority stake in the Atlanta Falcons, a team with whom he spent six years of his career.

22. LeSean McCoy

Total rushing yards: 11,102


Teams: Philadelphia Eagles, Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers


Years active: 2009-2020


Description: Nicknamed "Shady," this six-time Pro Bowler first made a name for himself with the Philadelphia Eagles, where he broke the franchise record for most rush yards in a single game, in a single season, and all time. After continuing his dominance as a member of the Buffalo Bills, McCoy added two Super Bowl rings to his resume — first with the Kansas City Chiefs, then with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers — before retiring an Eagle in 2021.

21. O.J. Simpson

Total rushing yards: 11,236


Teams: Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers


Years active: 1969-1979


Description: It’s easy to forget that before that infamous court case, O.J. Simpson was one of the most talented footballers of his generation. The hugely controversial star’s biggest achievement on the field came in 1973 when he racked up an incredible 2,003 yards in just 14 games. Famed for his explosive speed, "The Juice" enjoyed nine seasons with the Buffalo Bills and two with the San Francisco 49ers. Mind you, he only ever got to the playoffs once.

20. Corey Dillon

Total rushing yards: 11,241


Teams: Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots


Years active: 1997-2006


Description: Corey Dillon spent seven seasons with the Cincinnati Bengals where he was selected for the Pro Bowl on three consecutive occasions. The running back achieved his biggest success, though, during his final years in the NFL with the New England Patriots. Not only did Dillon guide the franchise to Super Bowl XXXIX, but in 2006, he also scored a career high 13 touchdowns.

19. John Riggins

Total rushing yards: 11,352


Teams: New York Jets, Washington Redskins


Years active: 1971-1985


Description: John Riggins certainly had more stamina than most running backs. His NFL career lasted 14 years, the majority of which were spent with the Washington Redskins. Riggins would surpass the 1,000-yard mark on no fewer than four occasions during his career. And in 1982, he was crowned Super Bowl MVP after helping the Redskins to defeat the Miami Dolphins.

18. Steven Jackson

Total rushing yards: 11,438


Teams: St. Louis Rams, Atlanta Falcons, New England Patriots


Years active: 2004-2015


Description: Steven Jackson isn’t exactly short of confidence when it comes to his talents on the football field. When asked who he believed was the Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams’ greatest running back by the Los Angeles Times in 2018, he put his very own name forward. Jackson does have the receipts, though: he finished his nine-year spell with the Rams with a total of 56 touchdowns and 10,138 rushing yards.

17. Fred Taylor

Total rushing yards: 11,695


Teams: Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots


Years active: 1998-2010


Description: Fred Taylor would no doubt be held in even higher regard if he’d played for a team more successful than the Jacksonville Jaguars. The running back was only once selected for the Pro Bowl and was completely snubbed when it came to the All-Pro team. But his 11,695 career rushing yards are far more than many of his legendary peers ran.

16. Thurman Thomas

Total rushing yards: 12,074


Teams: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins


Years active: 1988-2000


Description: Thurman Thomas spent all but one of his 13 NFL seasons with the Buffalo Bills, where he cemented himself as an all-time great. The running back amassed more than 12,000 rushing yards and achieved the 1,000-yard mark eight seasons in a row. In 2007, Thomas deservedly received a Hall of Fame induction.

15. Franco Harris

Total rushing yards: 12,120


Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers, Seattle Seahawks


Years active: 1972-1984


Description: Famed for the play hailed as the "Immaculate Reception," Franco Harris was an instrumental part of one of the greatest NFL teams of the 1970s. The running back played in four Super Bowls during his 12-season spell with the Pittsburgh Steelers, and by the time Harris hung up his cleats, he’d amassed an astonishing 12,120 rush yards.

14. Marcus Allen

Total rushing yards: 12,243


Teams: Los Angeles Raiders, Kansas City Chiefs


Years active: 1982-1997


Description: Marcus Allen booked his place in the NFL record books when he became the first running back ever to reach the 10,000 rushing yards mark. The NFL legend also lifted the Lombardi Trophy during his lengthy spell with the Los Angeles Raiders. And thanks to a further five seasons with the Kansas City Chiefs, Allen ended his career with a rushing touchdown total of 123.

13. Edgerrin James

Total rushing yards: 12,246


Teams: Indianapolis Colts, Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks


Years active: 1999-2009


Description: Edgerrin James burst out of the blocks at the turn of the century as a member of the Indianapolis Colts. He was crowned Rookie of the Year following a 369 rushing attempt season and was also named to the Pro Bowl. James continued to impress after joining the Arizona Cardinals in the mid-‘00s, where he surpassed the 12,000-yard milestone.

12. Marshall Faulk

Total rushing yards: 12,279


Teams: Indianapolis Colts, St. Louis Rams


Years active: 1994-2005


Description: Marshall Faulk was a vital part of the turn-of-the-century St. Louis Rams’ line-up hailed as the "Greatest Show on Turf." You may recall that the running back also helped the franchise win a Super Bowl during this period. And thanks to a previous five-year spell with the Indianapolis Colts, he ended his career with an impressive rushing yards total of 12,279.

11. Jim Brown

Total rushing yards: 12,312


Team: Cleveland Browns


Years active: 1957-1965


Description: The legendary Jim Brown spent nine seasons with the Cleveland Browns in the mid-20th century and surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in all but two. Had he not retired at the age of 29, there’s every chance he could have topped the all-time list. Brown was also selected as an All-Pro on eight occasions and was crowned MVP three times, too.

10. Tony Dorsett

Total rushing yards: 12,739


Teams: Dallas Cowboys, Denver Broncos


Years active: 1977-1988


Description: Tony Dorsett retired from the game way back in 1988 but remains one of just two players in NFL history to break for a 99-yard run. The running back spent all but one of his 12 years in the game with the Dallas Cowboys. And if it hadn’t been for the 1982 campaign cut short by leaguewide strike, then he no doubt would have achieved nine consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.

9. Eric Dickerson

Total rushing yards: 13,259


Teams: Los Angeles Rams, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Raiders, Atlanta Falcons


Years active: 1983-1993


Description: Standing at 6'3", Eric Dickerson was much taller than your average running back. And he used his extra height to his full advantage, particularly in the 1984 season where he accumulated a record-breaking 2,105 yards. The former Los Angeles Rams and Indianapolis Colts star also surpassed the 10,000-yard mark in record time.

8. Jerome Bettis

Total rushing yards: 13,662


Teams: Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams, Pittsburgh Steelers


Years active: 1993-2005


Description: Jerome Bettis was nicknamed “The Bus” for a reason. The running back used his imposing frame to score 91 touchdowns and amassed more than 13,000 rush yards during his stints with the Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Bettis also enjoyed the sweet taste of success at Super Bowl XL and played in no fewer than six Pro Bowls.

7. LaDainian Tomlinson

Total rushing yards: 13,684


Teams: San Diego Chargers, New York Jets


Years active: 2001-2011


Description: San Diego Chargers legend LaDainian Tomlinson passed the 1,000-yard mark eight seasons in a row after making it to the NFL in 2001. The running back was also crowned the 2006 Walter Payton Man of the Year and ended his career with the New York Jets with a rushing yard total of 13,684. Unfortunately, Tomlinson never got the chance to showcase his talents at a Super Bowl.

6. Curtis Martin

Total rushing yards: 14,101


Teams: New England Patriots, New York Jets


Years active: 1995-2005


Description: Curtis Martin posted his team’s highest rushing yards tally in all of his three seasons with the New England Patriots and all of his eight with the New York Jets. The running back was also only the second NFL player ever to achieve the 1,000-yard mark in each and every one of his first ten years on the field. Martin’s best performance came in 2004 with a remarkable total of 1,697.

5. Adrian Peterson

Total rushing yards: 14,918 (and counting)


Teams: Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, Arizona Cardinals, Washington Redskins, Detroit Lions, Tennessee Titans, Seattle Seahawks


Years active: 2007-2021


Description: Adrian Peterson debuted in the NFL in 2007 and is still going strong 14 years later. The Tennessee Titans running back returned from severe injury in 2011 to continue his legendary career and has since taken his rushing yards tally to an astonishing 14,841 (as of 11/9/2021). The running back’s golden year came with the Minnesota Vikings in 2012, when he posted a staggering 2,097 rushing yards fresh off both ACL and MCL tears. Even at age 36, Peterson shows no signs of slowing down.

4. Barry Sanders

Total rushing yards: 15,269


Team: Detroit Lions


Years active: 1989-1998


Description: Barry Sanders was still considered to be very much at the top of his game when he walked away from the NFL in 1998 — just a year earlier, he’d amassed a whopping 2,053 rush yards! Renowned for his brute strength, the Detroit Lions icon passed the 1,000-yard mark in each and every one of his ten seasons with the franchise.

3. Frank Gore

Total rushing yards: 16,000


Teams: San Francisco 49ers, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, New York Jets


Years active: 2005-2020


Description: Frank Gore is another NFL star who still has the chance to extend his incredible rushing yards total before retiring from the football field. Known for both his longevity and his effectiveness, Gore has seen stints with the Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, and New York Jets, though he amassed the majority of his 16,000 yards while playing for the San Francisco 49ers from 2005 until 2014.

2. Walter Payton

Total rushing yards: 16,726


Team: Chicago Bears


Years active: 1975-1987


Description: What Walter Payton lacked in speed, he more than made up for in determination. The late, great running back never stopped working whenever he took the football field, which perhaps explains how he racked up a colossal 16,726 rushing yards during his career. Payton spent all 13 of his NFL seasons with the Chicago Bears, and, even more remarkably, only ever missed one game.

1. Emmitt Smith

Total rushing yards: 18,355


Teams: Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals


Years active: 1990-2004


Description: The running back who holds the NFL’s all-time rushing yards record of 18,355 is a man who was once told he’d never make it. Yes, Emmitt Smith’s smaller-than-average frame deterred many franchise scouts early on in his career. But after the Dallas Cowboys took a chance on him, Smith repaid their faith by reaching the 1,000-yard mark 11 seasons in a row.


Of all the positions, running backs often have the shortest NFL tenures, but a few have beaten back Father Time and become the oldest men to ever play professional football. In fact, some of these stars may have been older than you realized...

Ken Strong

Position: Halfback/Fullback

Teams: Staten Island Stapletons, New York Giants, New York Yankees, Jersey City Giants

Years active: 1929-1940, 1944-1947

Age in final game: 41 years, 8 months, 24 days

Notable stats: 24 rushing touchdowns, 7 receiving touchdowns, 38 field goals made, 166 extra points made

Career highlights: NFL champion, 4x First-team All-Pro, Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee

Sebastian Janikowski

Nickname: "The Polish Cannon"

Position: Placekicker

Teams: Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks

Years active: 2000-2019

Age in final game: 40 years, 10 months, 3 days

Notable stats: 436 field goals made (80.4 percent), 605 extra points made (98.5 percent), 1,913 points scored

Career highlights: Pro Bowl, kicked a 63-yard field goal on September 12, 2011

Darren Bennett

Position: Punter

Teams: San Diego Chargers, Amsterdam Admirals, Minnesota Vikings

Years active: 1994-2005

Age in final game: 40 years, 11 months, 9 days

Notable stats: 36,316 punting yards, 836 punts

Career highlights: 2x All-Pro, 2x Pro Bowl

Fun fact: A native Australian, he was credited with bringing the "Aussie rules kick" or "drop punt" to the NFL.

Lee Johnson

Nickname: "Thunderfoot"

Position: Punter

Teams: Houston Oilers, Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals, New England Patriots, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles

Years active: 1985-2003

Age in final game: 41 years, 1 month, 23 days

Notable stats: 51,979 punting yards, 1,226 punts

Fun fact: He was immediately cut in 1998 after publicly criticizing Bengals management over the team's years of ineffective play.

Brett Favre

Position: Quarterback

Teams: Atlanta Falcons, Green Bay Packers, New York Jets, Minnesota Vikings

Years active: 1991-2011

Age in final game: 41 years, 2 months, 23 days

Notable stats: 297 consecutive starts (most all-time), 71,838 passing yards, 508 passing touchdowns

Career highlights: Super Bowl champion, 3x NFL Most Valuable Player, NFL Offensive Player of the Year, 3x First-team All-Pro, 11x Pro Bowl, Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee

Mark Brunell

Position: Quarterback

Teams: Green Bay Packers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets

Years active: 1993-2012

Age in final game: 41 years, 3 months, 15 days

Notable stats: 32,072 passing yards, 184 passing touchdowns

Career highlights: Super Bowl champion, 3x Pro Bowl

Fun fact: He was the first quarterback for the Jaguars, joining them for their 1995 inaugural season.

Shane Lechler

Position: Punter

Teams: Oakland Raiders, Houston Texans

Years active: 2000-2017

Age in final game: 41 years, 4 months, 24 days

Notable stats: One punt of at least 50 yards in 33 consecutive games (most all-time), 47.6 average yards per punt (most all-time) 68,678 punting yards, 1,444 punts

Career highlights: 6x First-team All-Pro, 7x Pro Bowl

Jackie Slater

Nickname: "Big Bad Jackie"

Position: Offensive Tackle

Team: Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams

Years active: 1976-1995

Age in final game: 41 years, 5 months, 16 days

Career highlights: 7x Pro Bowl, Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee

Fun fact: Together with his son Matthew, the Slaters have 17 Pro Bowl selections between them, making them the third-most nominated NFL family behind the Manning (Archie, Peyton, and Eli) and the Matthews (Bruce, Clay Jr., Clay III) clans.

Bryan Barker

Position: Punter

Teams: Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Jacksonville Jaguars, Washington Redskins, Green Bay Packers, St. Louis Rams

Years active: 1988-2006

Age in final game: 41 years, 6 months, 4 days

Notable stats: 47,641 punting yards, 1,132 punts

Career highlights: First-team All-Pro, Pro Bowl, punted the ball 83 yards in 1999

Jim Thorpe

Native name: Wa-Tho-Huk

Position: Running Back

Teams: Canton Bulldogs, Cleveland Indians, Oorang Indians, Rock Island Independents, New York Giants, Tampa Cardinals, Chicago Cardinals 

Years active: 1915-1917, 1919-1926, 1928

Age in final game: 41 years, 6 months, 7 days

Career highlights: First-team All-Pro, Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee

Fun fact: One of history's greatest all-around athletes, he also played five seasons of professional baseball.

Trey Junkin

Position: Long Snapper/Linebacker/Tight End

Teams: Buffalo Bills, Washington Redskins, Los Angeles Raiders, Seattle Seahawks, Oakland Raiders, Arizona Cardinals, New York Giants

Years active: 1983-2003

Age in final game: 41 years, 11 months, 13 days

Fun fact: After the Giants brought him out of retirement for a playoff matchup with the San Francisco 49ers, he botched the snap on a winning field goal, ultimately costing New York the game.

Jim Marshall

Position: Defensive End

Teams: Saskatchewan Roughriders, Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings

Years active: 1959-1979

Age in final game: 41 years, 11 months, 16 days

Notable stats: 30 fumbles recovered (most all-time)

Career highlights: NFL champion, 2x Pro Bowl

Fun fact: Marshall is best emembered for the "wrong-way run" in 1964, when he returned a fumble 66 yards into his own end zone and spiked the ball out of bounds, resulting in a safety for the opposing team.

Matt Stover

Position: Placekicker

Teams: New York Giants, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, Indianapolis Colts

Years active: 1990-2010

Age in final game: 42 years, 11 days

Notable stats: 471 field goals made (83.7 percent), 622 extra points made (99.5 percent), 2,004 points scored

Career highlights: 2x Super Bowl champion, First-team All-Pro, Pro Bowl, record for most consecutive games with a field goal (38)

John Kasay

Position: Placekicker

Teams: Seattle Seahawks, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints

Years active: 1991-2012

Age in final game: 42 years, 2 months, 5 days

Notable stats: Four field goals over 46 yards made in a single game (most all-time), 461 field goals made (81.9 percent), 587 extra points made (98.2 percent), 1,970 points scored

Career highlights: Pro Bowl

Jerry Rice

Position: Wide Receiver

Teams: San Francisco 49ers, Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks

Years active: 1985-2005

Age in final game: 42 years, 2 months, 26 days

Notable stats: 22,895 receiving yards (most all-time), 1,549 receptions (most all-time), 197 touchdown receptions (most all-time), 14 seasons of 1,000 or more receiving yards (most all-time)

Career highlights: 3x Super Bowl champion, Super Bowl MVP, 2x NFL Offensive Player of the Year, 10x First-team All-Pro, 13x Pro Bowl, Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee

Jason Hanson

Position: Placekicker

Team: Detroit Lions

Years active: 1992-2012

Age in final game: 42 years, 6 months, 13 days

Notable stats: 189 career field goals over 40 yards (most all-time), 327 games with one team (most all-time), 495 field goals made (82.4 percent), 665 extra points made (98.8 percent), 2,150 points scored

Career highlights: 2x Pro Bowl

Earl Morrall

Position: Quarterback

Teams: San Francisco 49ers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Detroit Lions, New York Giants, Baltimore Colts, Miami Dolphins

Years active: 1956-1976

Age in final game: 42 years, 6 months, 24 days

Notable stats: 20,809 passing yards, 161 passing touchdowns

Career highlights: 3x Super Bowl champion, NFL champion, NFL Most Valuable Player, 2x First-team All-Pro, 2x Pro Bowl

Darrell Green

Nickname: "The Ageless Wonder"

Position: Cornerback

Team: Washington Redskins

Years active: 1983-2002

Age in final game: 42 years, 10 months, 14 days

Notable stats: 295 games played (most by a defensive player all-time), 1,159 tackles, 54 interceptions, 6 touchdowns

Career highlights: 2x Super Bowl champion, 4x First-team All-Pro, 7x Pro Bowl, record for most consecutive seasons with an interception (19), Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee

Jan Stenerud

Position: Placekicker

Teams: Kansas City Chiefs, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings

Years active: 1967-1985

Age in final game: 43 years, 26 days

Notable stats: 373 field goals made (66.8 percent), 580 extra points made (96.5 percent), 1,699 points scored

Career highlights: Super Bowl champion, 4x First-team All-Pro, 4x Pro Bowl, 4x American Football League All-Star, Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee

Ray Brown

Position: Guard

Teams: St. Louis/Phoenix Cardinals, Washington Redskins, San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions

Years active: 1986-1990, 1992-2005

Age in final game: 43 years, 1 month, 2 days

Notable stats: 261 games played (204 started), 3 fumble recoveries

Career highlights: Pro Bowl

Fun fact: In 2006 and from 2008 to 2018, he served as a coach in the NFL, primarily for the offensive line.

Doug Flutie

Position: Quarterback

Teams: New Jersey Generals, Chicago Bears, New England Patriots, BC Lions, Calgary Stampeders, Toronto Argonauts, Buffalo Bills, San Diego Chargers, New England Patriots

Years active: 1985-2006

Age in final game: 43 years, 2 months, 9 days

Notable stats: 14,715 passing yards (NFL), 86 passing touchdowns (NFL), 41,355 passing yards (Canadian Football League), 270 passing touchdowns (CFL)

Career highlights: Pro Bowl, 3x Grey Cup champion, 3x Grey Cup MVP, 6x CFL's Most Outstanding Player, 6x CFL All-Star, most rushing total yards (212) of any player over age 40

Matt Turk

Position: Punter

Teams: Racine Raiders, Washington Redskins, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, St. Louis Rams, Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars

Years active: 1993-2012

Age in final game: 43 years, 6 months, 30 days

Notable stats: 48,414 punting yards, 1,143 punts

Career highlights: First-team All-Pro, 2x Pro Bowl

Fun fact: During a stint with the Redskins in 1999, he had his brother Dan come in as the long snapper for one of his punts, making them the first sibling duo to achieve this feat.

Jeff Feagles

Position: Punter

Teams: New England Patriots, Philadelphia Eagles, Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks, New York Giants

Years active: 1988-2010

Age in final game: 43 years, 9 months, 27 days

Notable stats: 71,211 punting yards (most all-time), 1,713 punts (most all-time), 352 consecutive games played (most all-time)

Career highlights: Super Bowl champion, 2x Pro Bowl

Phil Dawson

Position: Placekicker

Teams: Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals

Years active: 1999-2018

Age in final game: 43 years, 10 months, 3 days

Notable stats: 441 field goals made (83.8 percent), 518 extra points made (97.6 percent), 1,847 points scored

Career highlights: Pro Bowl

Fun fact: Dawson had an NFL rule named after him following a controversially negated field goal.

Lou Groza

Nickname: "The Toe"

Position: Placekicker/Tackle

Team: Cleveland Browns

Years active: 1946-1959, 1961-1967

Age in final game: 43 years, 10 months, 29 days

Notable stats: 234 field goals made (57.8 percent), 641 extra points made (97.6 percent)

Career highlights: NFL Most Valuable Player, 4x NFL Champion, 4x First-team All-Pro, 9x Pro Bowl, Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee

Sean Landeta

Position: Punter

Teams: Philadelphia Stars, Baltimore Stars, New York Giants, Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Eagles

Years active: 1983-2006

Age in final game: 43 years, 11 months, 26 days

Notable stats: 60,707 punting yards, 1,401 punts

Career highlights: 2x Super Bowl champion, 3x First-team All-Pro, 2x Pro Bowl, 2x United States Football League champion

Warren Moon

Position: Quarterback

Teams: Edmonton Eskimos, Houston Oilers, Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, Kansas City Chiefs

Years active: 1978-2000

Age in final game: 44 years, 1 month, 6 days

Notable stats: 49,325 passing yards (NFL), 291 passing touchdowns (NFL), 21,228 passing yards (CFL), 144 passing touchdowns (CFL)

Career highlights: NFL Offensive Player of the Year, 9x Pro Bowl, 5x Grey Cup Champion, CFL Most Outstanding Player

Vinny Testaverde

Position: Quarterback

Teams: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns, Baltimore Ravens, New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys, New England Patriots, Carolina Panthers

Years active: 1987-2007

Age in final game: 44 years, 1 month, 17 days

Notable stats: 46,233 passing yards, 275 passing touchdowns

Career highlights: 2x Pro Bowl, most consecutive seasons with a touchdown pass (21)

Eddie Murray

Position: Placekicker

Teams: Detroit Lions, Kansas City Chiefs, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Minnesota Vikings

Years active: 1980-1995, 1997, 1999-2000

Age in final game: 44 years, 3 months, 25 days

Notable stats: 352 field goals made (75.5 percent), 538 extra points made (98.7 percent), 1,594 points scored

Career highlights: Super Bowl champion, First-team All-Pro, 2x Pro Bowl

Matt Bryant

Nickname: "Money Matt"

Position: Placekicker

Teams: New York Giants, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Florida Tuskers, Atlanta Falcons

Years active: 2002-2019

Age in final game: 44 years, 5 months

Notable stats: 397 field goals made (85.6 percent), 567 extra points made (98.6 percent), 1,758 points scored

Career highlights: Pro Bowl, kicked a 62-yard field goal on October 22, 2006

Tom Brady

Position: Quarterback

Teams: New England Patriots, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Years active: 2000-2022

Age in final game: 44 years, 5 months, 20 days

Notable stats: 243 quarterback wins (most all-time), 84,520 passing yards (most all-time), 624 passing touchdowns (most all-time)

Career highlights: 7x Super Bowl Champion, 5x Super Bowl Most Valuable Player, 3x NFL Most Valuable Player, 2x NFL Offensive Player of the Year, 3x First-team All-Pro, 15x Pro Bowl

Steve DeBerg

Position: Quarterback

Teams: San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Atlanta Falcons

Years active: 1977-1993, 1998-1999

Age in final game: 45 years, 12 days

Notable stats: 34,241 passing yards, 196 passing touchdowns, recorded a 0.9 single-season interception percentage in 1990 (lowest in NFL history at the time)

Career highlights: 1979 NFL completions leader

Ben Agajanian

Nickname: "The Toeless Wonder"

Position: Placekicker

Teams: Hollywood Bears, San Diego Bombers, Hollywood Rangers, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Dons, New York Giants, Los Angeles Rams, Los Angeles Chargers, Dallas Texans, Green Bay Packers, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers

Years Active: 1942-1964

Age in final game: 45 years, 3 months, 22 days

Notable stats: 104 field goals made (51 percent), 343 extra points made (97.7 percent)

Career highlights: 2x NFL Champion

Gary Anderson

Position: Placekicker

Teams: Pittsburgh Steelers, Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Minnesota Vikings, Tennessee Titans

Years active: 1982-2005

Age in final game: 45 years, 5 months, 17 days

Notable stats: 538 field goals made (80.1 percent), 820 extra points made (99.2 percent), 2,434 points scored

Career highlights: 2x First-team All-Pro, 4x Pro Bowl

John Nesser

Position: Quarterback/Guard/Tackle

Team: Columbus Panhandles

Years active: 1909-1921

Age in final game: 45 years, 7 months, 16 days

Fun fact: He was part of the Nesser Brothers, one of the United States' most famous football families around the turn of the century. At 5'11" and 195 pounds, he was the smallest of the Nessers, but still managed to block and tackle with the best of them.

Bobby Marshall

Position: End

Teams: Rock Island Independents, Minneapolis Marines, Duluth Kelleys

Years active: 1920-1925

Age in final game: 45 years, 7 months, 20 days

Fun fact: Prior to his football career, he played professional baseball for 13 non-consecutive seasons. This included stints with the Minneapolis Lund Lands; LaMoure, North Dakota's team; Minneapolis Keystones; St. Paul Colored Gophers; Chicago Giants; Twin City Gophers; and All Nations.

John Carney

Position: Placekicker

Teams: Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Los Angeles Rams, San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints, Jacksonville Jaguars, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants

Years active: 1987-2010

Age in final game: 46 years, 5 months, 20 days

Notable stats: 478 field goals made (82.4 percent), 628 extra points made (98.4 percent), 2,062 points scored

Career highlights: Super Bowl champion, First-team All-Pro, 2x Pro Bowl

Adam Vinatieri

Position: Placekicker

Teams: Amsterdam Admirals, New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts

Years active: 1996-2019

Age in final game: 46 years, 11 months, 3 days

Notable stats: 599 field goals made (most all-time; 83.8 percent), 367 extra points made (98.1 percent), 2,673 points scored (most all-time)

Career highlights: 4x Super Bowl champion, 3x First-team All-Pro, 3x Pro Bowl

Morten Andersen

Nickname: "Great Dane"

Position: Placekicker

Teams: New Orleans Saints, Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants, Kansas City Chiefs, Minnesota Vikings

Years active: 1982-2007

Age in final game: 47 years, 4 months, 11 days

Notable stats: 382 games played (most all-time), 565 field goals made (79.7 percent), 849 extra points made (98.8 percent), 2,544 points scored

Career highlights: 5x First-team All-Pro, 7x Pro Bowl, Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee

George Blanda

Position: Quarterback/Placekicker

Teams: Chicago Bears, Baltimore Colts, Houston Oilers, Oakland Raiders

Years active: 1949-1958, 1960-1975

Age in final game: 48 years, 3 months, 18 days

Notable stats: 26 seasons played (most all-time), 7 touchdown passes in a game (tied most all-time), 26,920 passing yards, 236 passing touchdowns, 335 fields goals (52.4 percent), 943 extra points (98.3 percent)

Career highlights: 3x AFL Champion, 4x AFL All-Star, First-team All-AFL, AFL MVP, Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee