Earl CampbellNew Orleans Saints · #34
Earl Campbell rushed for 9,407 yards and 74 touchdowns in just eight seasons, leading the NFL in rushing three straight years. The 1979 NFL MVP and three-time Offensive Player of the Year entered the Hall of Fame in 1991.
Earl Campbell — the report card
Read his whole game at a glance, then dive into any skill. Grades are percentiles vs every active player at his position.
Where Earl Campbell stands
Live ladders from the Balladex models, and what he's chasing. Rankings recompute nightly from real production, accolades, and search demand.
Earl Campbell — every number, three levels deep
Headline → metric → the raw history behind it. Real career data; tracking-only metrics labeled.
How the model sees Earl Campbell
Projection = recency-weighted per-season production, nudged along a position aging curve, banded by his year-to-year volatility. No black box — every number shows its work.
Earl Campbell career stats, season by season
| Season | G | Rush | TD | Rec | Rec yds | Scrim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 ROY | 15 | 1,450 | 13 | 12 | 48 | 1,498 |
| 1979 MVP | 16 | 1,697 | 19 | 16 | 94 | 1,791 |
| 1980 OPOY | 15 | 1,934 | 13 | 11 | 47 | 1,981 |
| 1981 | 16 | 1,376 | 10 | 36 | 156 | 1,532 |
| 1982 | 9 | 538 | 2 | 18 | 130 | 668 |
| 1983 | 14 | 1,301 | 12 | 19 | 216 | 1,517 |
| 1984 | 14 | 468 | 4 | 3 | 27 | 495 |
| 1985 | 16 | 643 | 1 | 6 | 88 | 731 |
| Career | 115 | 9,407 | 74 | 121 | 806 | 10,213 |
The Lab
Every number, live and interactive. Real career data; models labeled.
Are the New Orleans Saints built to win?
Team projection rolled up from the roster + last-season baselines — and what it means for his role.
The Ballad of Earl Campbell
Birth to now — the making of a legend, narrated and scored.
The beginning
Earl Campbell was a powerful running back who dominated for the Houston Oilers from 1978 to 1984.
Turning pro
Drafted 1978, Round 1 (#1 overall) as a Running Back.
true
First overall pick and 1978 Offensive Rookie of the Year
Chapter
Led the NFL in rushing three straight seasons
Chapter
Rushed for 1,934 yards in 1980
Off the court
- Height
- 5'11"
- Weight
- 232 lb
- Draft
- 1978, Round 1 (#1 overall)
- Born
- Tyler, TX
- Age
- 71
- Jersey
- #34
After football, Campbell dealt with health issues linked to his punishing playing style, including spinal problems that affected his mobility. He built a Texas business selling Earl Campbell's Meat Products, including sausage, and has remained a beloved figure in the state.
Campbell was a punishing power back famous for delivering hits rather than avoiding them.
Earl Campbell — frequently asked
The questions people ask most about Earl Campbell, answered.
