EMMITTnROY's Texas Longhorns Appreciation Thread, Day One: Earl Campbell.

[EMMITTnROY]

For those who don't know or don't remember, ABQCOWBOY and I made a bet on the Sooners/Longhorns game.. I'm a huge Sooners fan, he's a huge Longhorns fan.. Whoever lost had to make a thread every day for a week that honored the other team's all-time best players.. Well, my Sooners won the game, but the problem for me is that I gave ABQ the spread.. So all this week, I will be paying tribute to former Texas Longhorns football greats.. This is gonna hurt..

Coming up: Earl Campbell

 

[EMMITTnROY]

Earl Campbell

Earl Campbell may be the most punishing, physical runningback in the history of the sport. He was an incredible combination of power, strength and speed. While at the University of Texas, Campbell completely dominated, as he amassed 4,444 career rushing yards. He became the first Longhorn to ever win the Heisman Trophy, snagging the prestigious award in 1977. Just last year, Texas University unveiled a 9 foot statue in his honor at Royal-Memorial stadium. Earl "The Tyler Rose" Campbell further added to his Texas legacy by becoming the first overall pick by the Houston Oilers in the 1978 NFL draft. He became the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and helped turned around an entire franchise. The next year, Campbell was NFL MVP. He led the league in rushing 3 consecutive years and made the Pro Bowl in 5 of his 8 years in the NFL. Because of his bruising running style, injuries and the all the hits he took (and gave) finally took their toll and he retired after a short but brilliant career. Though only playing 8 years in the league, Campbell's legacy as one of the best runningbacks, and one of the best players, of all-time stands firm and will stand the test of time. A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Campbell joined Davy Crockett, Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston as an Official State Hero of Texas by way of state legislature in 1981. A hero, and a legend, indeed.

 

[ABQCOWBOY]

Earl Campbell

Earl Campbell may be the most punishing, physical runningback in the history of the sport. He was an incredible combination of power, strength and speed. While at the University of Texas, Campbell completely dominated, as he amassed 4,444 career rushing yards. He became the first Longhorn to ever win the Heisman Trophy, snagging the prestigious award in 1977. Just last year, Texas University unveiled a 9 foot statue in his honor at Royal-Memorial stadium. Earl "The Tyler Rose" Campbell further added to his Texas legacy by becoming the first overall pick by the Houston Oilers in the 1978 NFL draft. He became the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and helped turned around an entire franchise. The next year, Campbell was NFL MVP. He led the league in rushing 3 consecutive years and made the Pro Bowl in 5 of his 8 years in the NFL. Because of his bruising running style, injuries and the all the hits he took (and gave) finally took their toll and he retired after a short but brilliant career. Though only playing 8 years in the league, Campbell's legacy as one of the best runningbacks, and one of the best players, of all-time stands firm and will stand the test of time. A member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Campbell joined Davy Crockett, Stephen F. Austin and Sam Houston as an Official State Hero of Texas by way of state legislature in 1981. A hero, and a legend, indeed.

You really know how to get a guy. You talk Earl Campbell, your speaking to the heart for me. Still my favorite player of all time, regardless of team.

Nice job EnR!

ABQ

 

[burmafrd]

They showed that run of his against the Rams a lot on ESPN some years ago= might have been somewhere else but I think it was ESPN. He was just running over guys and breaking tackles- it was like Superman against mortals.
That is what worries me about MB3. You cannot keep looking for contact and have a long career. Earl was basically crippled after about 6 years. He needs a wheelchair now.

 

[jimmy40]

They showed that run of his against the Rams a lot on ESPN some years ago= might have been somewhere else but I think it was ESPN. He was just running over guys and breaking tackles- it was like Superman against mortals.
That is what worries me about MB3. You cannot keep looking for contact and have a long career. Earl was basically crippled after about 6 years. He needs a wheelchair now.

MB3 isn't going to carry the ball 30 times a game behind a bad offensive line. Earl was his own offensive line at Houston.