Who held the single season rushing record before Eric Dickerson? Before the iconic running back Eric Dickerson shattered the single-season rushing record in 1984, the title was held by O.J. Simpson. Simpson, who played for the Buffalo Bills, set the previous record in 1973 with an astonishing 2,003 rushing yards. This record stood for 11 years until Dickerson came along and upended the record books with his own remarkable performance.
Eric Dickerson’s achievement was nothing short of historic. In the 1984 season, Dickerson, who was playing for the Los Angeles Rams, amassed an incredible 2,105 rushing yards. His record-setting campaign was marked by a combination of brute force, speed, and determination. Dickerson’s ability to break Simpson’s record was a testament to his extraordinary talent and work ethic.
The record set by O.J. Simpson was not only a personal achievement but also a significant milestone in the history of the NFL. Simpson’s record had stood for over a decade, and it was widely believed that no one would be able to surpass it. However, Dickerson’s success demonstrated that records are made to be broken, and that with the right combination of skill and determination, anything is possible.
In the years that followed, Eric Dickerson’s record held firm as the pinnacle of single-season rushing achievements. It was not until 2011 that another running back, Adrian Peterson, broke Dickerson’s record with an incredible 2,097 rushing yards during the 2012 season. This marked the end of an era for Dickerson’s record, but it also served to highlight the enduring legacy of his remarkable performance.
The single-season rushing record is one of the most prestigious honors in the NFL, and it has been held by some of the greatest running backs in the history of the league. From O.J. Simpson to Eric Dickerson and now to Adrian Peterson, the record has been a symbol of excellence and a benchmark for future running backs to strive for. As the NFL continues to evolve, it will be fascinating to see who will emerge as the next great running back and attempt to break the record set by Eric Dickerson.
