In American sports, there may not be a position that has a shorter lifespan than that of NFL running back. In today's game the idea of a single running back taking the large majority of carries is almost entirely dead, with coaches moving towards multi-back systems as both a tactical means of outsmarting an opponent as well as a simple way of keeping ball carriers fresh. This was not so much the case in the 1990s.
Back in the day, workhorse running backs were both common and celebrated by fans. We loved Jamal Anderson's "Dirty Bird" celebration, Terrell Davis' "Mile-High Salute", and the raw fat-guy power displayed by Jerome "The Bus" Bettis. These men etched themselves in football history by abusing their bodies for the sake of the team.
Unfortunately, all things must end, and the era of the NFL running back plowing forward for 30+ carries a game is now behind us. But that doesn't mean we still can't look back and celebrate the heroes of our youth. That doesn't mean we still can't think about them and wonder what they've been up to. Is Ricky Watters still acting like Ricky Watters did in the 90s? Let's find out together. Here is Where Are They Now: Your Favorite NFL Running Backs of the '90s.
To save time we focused on the very best running backs of the 90's, so please forgive us, Tim Biakabutuka fans.
10. Jamal Anderson
9. Jerome Bettis
8. Ricky Watters
7. Curtis Martin
6. Terrell Davis
5. Eddie George
4. Thurman Thomas
3. Marshall Faulk
2. Emmitt Smith
Years Active: 1990-2004
Team(s): Cowboys, Cardinals
Career Stats: 18,355 rushing yards, 164 rushing TDs, 515 receptions, 11 receiving TDs
Little-Known Fact: He's quite the wordsmith.
Emmitt is the NFL's all-time leading rusher, a first-ballot Hall of Famer, and former analyst for ESPN, but you may know him as the winner of the third season of Dancing with the Stars. What many don't know is that Emmitt was quite smart with his money both during and after his career, working in real estate with former Cowboy Roger Staubach for years before forming Smith/Cypress Partners LP and getting more serious about the real estate development game after retirement. He's buying property all over Texas, but most recently has started expanding nationwide including cities like New York City and Baltimore.
He also participated in the 2011 National Heads-Up Poker Championship, making it to the second round before losing to Andrew Robl. But even with all the rings of honor and Super Bowls and Hall of Fame inductions, nothing can compare to Emmitt's immortalization in song by the great Migos on their track "Emmitt Smith".