Most Rushing Yards in NFL History
In the NFL, the total rushing yards a player accumulates is highly regarded because it reflects not only speed but also resilience and the ability to perform consistently over the years. Rushing yards in football represent the overall distance a player covers by running the ball from the line of scrimmage during rushing plays.
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Top 5 Most Rushing Yards in NFL History
Here are the top 5 players with the most rushing yards in NFL history, highlighting the consistency and resilience that define greatest running backs.
| Rank | Player | Career Rushing Yards |
| 1 | Emmitt Smith | 18,355 |
| 2 | Walter Payton | 16,726 |
| 3 | Frank Gore | 16,000 |
| 4 | Barry Sanders | 15,269 |
| 5 | Adrian Peterson | 14,918 |
Emmitt Smith (18,355 Rushing Yards)
Career: 1990-2004
Teams: Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals
Emmitt Smith holds the record for the most rushing yards in NFL history, totaling 18,355 yards. His standout year was in 1995 when he rushed for 1,773 yards. That season he also set an NFL record with 25 rushing touchdowns helping Dallas win its third Super Bowl in four years. Smith’s excellence extended into the playoffs as well where he still ranks first with 1,586 rushing yards and 19 touchdowns.
Walter Payton (16,726 Rushing Yards)
Career: 1975-1987
Teams: Chicago Bears
Walter Payton famously nicknamed “Sweetness” accumulated a total of 16,726 rushing yards. His legendary toughness is evident in the fact that he started 170 consecutive games and achieved over 1,000 rushing yards in 10 different seasons. Payton also set impressive records including 77 career games with 100 or more rushing yards and a remarkable single-game record of 275 rushing yards in 1977.
Frank Gore (16,000 Rushing Yards)
Career: 2005-2020
Teams: San Francisco 49ers, Indianapolis Colts, Miami Dolphins, Buffalo Bills, New York Jets
Frank Gore ran for a total of 16,000 yards throughout his 16-year career. His consistency was incredible as he recorded nine 1,000-yard seasons and made five Pro Bowls. He also set an NFL record by playing 241 games as a running back. Additionally, he managed to rush for at least 500 yards in every season, tying with Smith and Payton for the longest streak in history.
Barry Sanders (15,269 Rushing Yards)
Career: 1989-1998
Teams: Detroit Lions
Barry Sanders ran for a total of 15,269 yards over the course of just 10 seasons. He was the first running back to achieve 1,000 rushing yards in every single season of his career and made the Pro Bowl all 10 years. His standout season was in 1997, where he rushed for 2,053 yards and set an NFL record by having 14 consecutive games with over 100 rushing yards.
Adrian Peterson (14,918 Rushing Yards)
Career: 2007-2021
Teams: Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, Arizona Cardinals, Washington Redskins, Detroit Lions, Tennessee Titans, Seattle Seahawks
Adrian Peterson ran for a total of 14,918 yards throughout his 15-year career. His most memorable achievement came in 2012 when he rushed for 2,097 yards after recovering from an ACL and MCL tear the year before. He topped the league in rushing three times and was selected for seven Pro Bowls. He also set the record for the most rushing yards in a single game with 296 yards during his rookie season.
