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Above from left: Roger Craig, Don Perkins, Bo Jackson, Timmy Brown.

Running back is a position that is well represented in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, but there are still a few players who aren’t in yet that deserve consideration. The most glaring of the omissions has to be Roger Craig, who played for the San Francisco 49ers in their Super Bowl years. Craig, to me, was one of the finest all-around backs of all time, taking into consideration his running, receiving and blocking skills. He was overlooked on the 49er roster because of players like Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Dwight Clark and Steve Young but he was an integral part of the success of the “West Coast” offense that coach Bill Walsh’s teams ran. In fact he may have been THE key player, outside of Montana.  

Chuck Foreman was a workman-like back for the Minnesota Vikings in the 1970s, and another overlooked player when it comes to Hall consideration. He was NFL Rookie of The Year in 1973, and a 5 time Pro Bowl selection, and scored 51 touchdowns over a 3 year period from 1974 to 1976. Like Craig, he had tremendous pass-catching ability for a back. 

If winning Super Bowls is supposed to be a fast track to Canton, then Terrell Davis deserves serious consideration. “T.D.” played for the Denver Broncos in the mid-to-late ’90s, and is their all-time career rushing leader. It’s no coincidence that the Denver franchise, known for not being able to “win the big one”, wrapped up 2 Super Bowl titles after they added Davis to their roster to complement QB John Elway. Davis’ career was shortened by injuries or I feel he would be an automatic choice for enshrinement.

Ricky Watters was known for being an ornery presence, with the media and in the locker room, when he played in both Philadelphia and San Francisco. But no one can deny Watters’ skill on the field. Like Craig, he was the straw that stirred the 49ers’  West Coast offense drink in the Steve Young era, and scored 3 touchdowns in the Niners Super Bowl XXIX victory. With over 15,000 career all purpose yards and 91 touchdowns for his career, statistically Watters belongs in the Hall.

Don Perkins played for Tom Landry’s early Dallas Cowboy teams in the 1960s, before they gained notoriety as “America’s Team”. He led the Cowboys in rushing 6 of his 8 seasons with the team, but the fact that he never rushed for 1,000 yards in a season hurts his chances for induction to the Hall. His career best season was 945 yards in 1962, but he also played in an era when gaining 1,000 yards was a much tougher accomplishment than it is now. He was an outstanding blocking back also, but unfortunately, players from by-gone eras like Perkins rarely get any consideration without overwhelming numbers.

The fact that Gale Sayers is in the Hall helps make the case for 2 other players to warrant some votes. Sayers’ career was shortened by injury, but he made such an impact, running the ball and in the return game, that he was elected despite not having played long in the league. Using the Sayers yardstick, Bo Jackson, who played only 4 seasons with the L.A. Raiders (while also playing major league baseball) before breaking his hip in a playoff game,basically ending his football career, is deserving. He made many dynamic plays in that shortened career. He had a 5.6 yards per carry average for his career, and scored 16 touchdowns. He would have to be a Joe Namath-type choice, being considered more for his impact on the game rather than numbers, to have a chance to get in. Sayers’ kick return abilities were a big part of why he waltzed into Canton, and if those skills are taken into account, then Timmy Brown, who played in Sayers’ era for the Philadelphia Eagles, should be considered also. He was a 3-time Pro Bowler who excelled in the return game, while also being a productive running back. Like Perkins, he never had a 1,000 yard rushing season, but was a terrific all-around back who excelled as a pass receiver also, with two 50+ reception years on his resume. He was undeniably one of the top all-purpose yardage backs of his era, ranking right up there with Sayers.