Earl Campbell One Of The Greats

Earl Campbell is the most beastly running back ever...No one can truck like him NO ONE!!!!!

[@mrrig3414]

When Tatum hit Earl, Earl threw up that Fred Sanford arm while stumbling into the end zone!! " Oh Elizabeth, I'm coming to join you hunny"!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@terrytenley9327]

Earl Campbell had such lower body strength to go with his upper body strength.. Those big strides were his trademark and everyone so enjoyed Earls run.. One of a kind to watch..☺️😁👍

[@purplebruin]

never seen a back love contact as much as earl he truely was the greatest at point of contact

[@nastypiglosi1788]

He paid the price for it. One tough SOB

[@tedhoeborn2310]

I'm a geezer, and without a doubt, that was FOOTBALL! Thank you, Mr. Campbell!

[@tedhoeborn2310]

I started watching football 50 years ago and I sure miss those days of super tough SOBs like Campbell, Riggins, Csonka, Butkus.

[@GZA036]

Gotta love how the old-school guys held the football, like a loaf of bread

[@treeman2660]

It comes from living in the 5th ward.

[@Mack7111]

Without a doubt, the Assassin laid the wood on The Tyler Rose, one of the greatest hits of all time yet Earl still fell into the house!

[@cmjohnson61]

Mack7111, I call that a "Pyrrhic Victory", a victory at great cost. Yes, Earl scored. But I recall Earl not getting up right away. In fact, I remember him staying on all fours with his head down for some time. He may have even had to be helped off the field. Of course, my memory is not like it once was. I would love the find a clip of Earl after that hit.

[@Mack7111]

@@cmjohnson61 You recalled correctly so your memory is fine CM.. Earl was dazed, and had to be helped off of the field.

[@cmjohnson61]

@@Mack7111 , Thanks for confirming my memory is still intact. In "They Call Me Assassin", Jack Tatum's autobiography, he speaks highly of Earl Campbell. He did not speak very highly about Franco Harris, whom Jack thought was soft.

[@ajg1791]

I remember that play and Campbell must have outweighed Tatum by at least 50 pounds...and he wobbled into the end zone.

[@pineytreez6811]

@@cmjohnson61 ...jack tatum probably still mad cuz he was the reason why that Franco got the immaculate reception & couldn't stop Franco from scoring that touchdown 😂😁🤣🤣

[@TheVegasbud]

I have never seen a man go through 3 jerseys in a game but him to this day !

[@davelane13]

Has to be one of the most unbelievable running backs ever....size, speed and strength

[@20sainthockey]

There isn't currently a back in the NFL that compares to this beast of a man, and never there never will be again.

[@ThaDreamMerchant]

That's bullshit. There will be someone who comes along who surpasses him & Jim Brown. Everyone thought Gale Sayers wouldn't be surpassed but then Barry, Walter, Earl & Co came along, Jordan surpassed Magic & Bird who surpassed Dr. J, etc. It always happens

[@20sainthockey]

It isn't Bullshit, Campbell and Brown weren't the same style runners. Sayers and Sanders weren't the same and Payton was different from those two. Name me a back right now who is the size of Campbell who ran like that and with that speed.

[@ThaDreamMerchant]

20sainthockey He doesn't have the size, but Adrian Peterson is the closest out of all the backs out right now. Dude has excellent speed, can either run through you, shake the hell out of you or give the stiff arm for an extra 5-10.

[@hespheiden1]

+20sainthockey That's right--there will never be another Earl or Barry Sanders. Everyone else can be replaced.

[@Teel_sn95.0]

@@20sainthockey Marshawn lynch

[@william1690]

When it comes down to it. Earl you are the most respected player on the field I have ever seen . You sold yourself for your team and Oilers fans. You turned Houston around . They don't build'em like this man. 100/ percent hurt ya with the hat. You helped raise my level of hitting and running low and hard. Thank you #34. I'm 59 and hurt everywhere but wouldn't trade it for anything else in the world. Warren Bears of 82 and Monday night football with #34 . Thanks for everything I wish I could have met you. God bless you.

[@williamcorns5927]

I was 12 when he entered the league, all through middle school his presence was electric everywhere you went.. He was a walking highlight reel that guy

[@leninmercedes6567]

The original beast mode

[@jlh4jc]

As his college coach Darrell K Royal once said, "When Earl ran, snot flew!".

[@frederik2334]

The strongest running back i have ever seen, no doubt about it!

[@Jalfmar3]

It's like with Hakeem. You love it at the time, but when you really look at it years later, you're just in total awe.

[@Josey_Wales]

When you carry the football like a loaf of bread, heading into contact in the National Football League, youre beyond a man. My father and grandfather and people of a few generations ago would talk about alot of these great backs, its nice to be able to see this footage. You truly appreciate the toughness of these men and the Sabol family for NFL Films. RIP Steve!

[@colmhain]

LOL! Even when he was falling backwards, he was GOING FORWARDS!

[@mattmorin4460]

Native Houstonian here. I went to a lot of Oiler home games in 1978, 79, and 1980 in the Astrodome my Dad built (he was on the crew that laid the cinder block). There has never been anything like seeing Bum Phillip’s Luv Ya Blue Houston Oilers in a sold out Astrodome featuring The Tyler Rose Earl Campbell, the atmosphere was beyond electric. An Earl’s runs during those games made the crowd nearly blow the roof off. I’ve never been in an atmosphere like that since and I was a kid back then, very great memories for me and my family. Nice video, really appreciate your work with this, you hit the nail on the head Sir! #LUVYABLUE #MIKERENFROWASINBOUNDS

[@rickrobitaille8809]

Paraphrasing cowboy great Charlie Waters about tackling Earl..I just close my eyes and hope he don't break my helmet 😆

[@seinfan9]

This guy was a beastly power back that had finesse. If you had to choose any player in their prime to be your starting running back, he should be at the very top of the list. Jim Brown and Barry Sanders would then follow.

[@nickgiordano7876]

I all ways loved the big backs Campbell was my fav billy sims Christian Okoye favorites... BAM!!!!

[@richmotroni]

I vividly reember watching Earl Campbell bounce off Jack Tatum for the TD. I was 12 at the time watching the game and just jumped out my chair when I saw it. I thought for sure Tatum was going to drill Campbell and was stunned to see him bounce off to score.

[@SteveMayfield007]

I am from Plano. I was just a kid, but i was at Rose Stadium that night he destroyed Plano. To this day ,that was the most awesome performance ive ever had the privilege to see in person. It was a long ride back to Plano that night. But, it was an honor to witness what i saw on that playing field that evening and i still remember it fondly.The Earl of Earls.I salute you Mr. Campbell.

[@pineytreez6811]

damn!!..Earl Campbell took that hit from Jack Tatum, then threw him to the side like a rag doll..Wow😲😁🤣😂

[@belfor21]

This was real football . Earl was the best . No dancing in the in the nzone no sho boatin , just pure football , True class act and a gentleman , On and off the field

[@JTMan21]

Earl was the best. Better than any other. NO CONTEST. There was Earl and then there was everyone else. He carried the Oilers on his own two shoulders. Sad that it cost him his health.

[@davidca96]

Earl was like a beautifully agile steamroller. He could just plow through anyone and keep going, and I always loved how he ran with the ball in his hand not tucked, he was so strong it didnt matter he wasnt letting go of that thing.

[@nealfrost12]

EC was a BEAST ,its a shame that he never got a Superbowl ring

[@Yo1969Yo]

I love Earl Campbell. IMO he is the best running back ever.

[@jesusacosta5176]

Best power runner

[@onehunglow4u1]

Only running back in history who had to have spare shirts on the sideline each game.

[@lonestarjwells]

Barry Switzer recruited Earl, and said Earl was the only player he ever saw, that could have gone straight from high-school to the NFL, and been an impact player from day-1. I saw him play a lot @ UT, and more than once, the pile would just move until Earl got tired of carrying 5-6 people on his back.

[@drewhunkins7192]

In his prime he was one of the greatest athletes I've ever seen.

[@seanmcateer7982]

That Tatum Campbell contact took years off both their lives...

[@THINKincessantly]

Thanks for making that ! Good jam And a fine collection of the Runs of the Tyler Rose! Luv Ya Blu

[@agreeneish]

Props to Jack Tatum for not backing down to a man of that size and strength.. He took his reputation seriously..

[@tjbustem]

Having Earl on Oilers is like having JJ Watt on the Texans. He was that much of an unstoppable force, only on the other side of the ball. Excellent video.

[@troycoleman4284]

Kenny Stabler w/ him when they were young! Run, Pass, Do anything you want!

[@barronvonpitbull4544]

Earl is one badass MFR!

[@JollyMusicMan]

I don't there is any other player in the history of the NFL who completely regularly ran over, stiff armed, and rang the bells of other Hall of Fame players than Earl Campbell!

[@powervoc2]

The great Jim Brown said "the only guy that dominated a game like I did was Earl Campbell." Mean Joe Green said "it was like tackling a Coke machine running at you at 20 miles an hour."

[@jackarmstrong422]

Campbell was one of the most if not the most feared running back of his time. Two of the best hits I have ever seen was when Campbell Hit Rams linebacker Isiah Robertson in the chest and just bowled his ass over. The other was when Campbell was trying to score from the goal line against the Radiers. Jack Tatum of the Radiers came up and hit Campbell. A hit that would have knocked out any other running back. But Campbell got knocked back and somehow stayed on his feet and scored.

[@THINKincessantly]

That sweep against the Rams! Holy Mackerel!

[@Dld1985]

As great as he was on the football field he is even a greater human being. A true gentleman. Earl never forgave the franchise for trading him to New Orleans. This was in the days when players started and retired with the same team. A few years ago the franchise retired the numbers of their greatest players. Earl was the only living one that did not show. Can't say as I blame him. Those who watch him play know he was extremely special and a one of a kind runner. True class act and a gentleman.

[@DKtoocold]

That last run is so iconic 🫡

[@4to88strings]

@Ebeneezerable I played High School ball with Big E. Not many people know he was an outstanding mid linebacker, was All East Texas and All State honorable mention his Soph year, and actually threatened to quit the team when coach Nelson wanted to convert him to fulltime RB. Thank God he didn't. He wanted to be the "Black Dick Butkus. I played both ways so I got to block for him and unfortunately had to tackle him in practice more than a few times. We were 15-0 state champs.

[@sebastiangrumman8507]

1:30 Tatum was FEARLESS.

[@tat3917]

He was like the yin to Barry Sanders yang.

[@shooter7a]

That Tatum hit at 1:33 was the hardest lick Earl ever took. Said so himself. In fact, Earl had spinal stenosis (no one knew at the time), and he never told anyone that the Tatum his sent burning pains down his side into his feet. Earl was lucky not to have had his career ended right there.

[@drewhunkins7192]

Campbell won that little battle, he wound up in the end zone for 6 points. I don't think any other RB withstands that hit.

[@pnutbutrncrackers]

In terms of sheer watching pleasure, my two favorite running backs of all-time are Earl Campbell and Eric Dickerson. Earl was like a bull breaking free from the corral, Eric a stallion escaping from the stall. Take your pick catching and bringing them down, and good luck!

[@buickmonte]

@2:27...perhaps one of the most explosive runs in the history of football.

[@minnesotajack1]

Earl Campbell would not have trouble getting paid in today’s NFL

[@Rushmore222]

This was back when the running back was the most important offensive threat in the NFL. The days of Campbell, and Payton, and Dickerson, and Sanders. Earl was the scariest, though.

[@MrMathExpert]

1:33 is still a legendary hit.

[@galenstone9097]

yeah jack tatum hit him dirty and earl still scored.

[@strukhoff]

1:27 starts the greatest moment in NFL history -- Earl Campbell versus Jack Tatum. You see Earl coming around the bend, with the dreaded #32 emerging from the right side. Titanic collision. Earl did go down, but not until he scored. Jack went down and you can see his desperation in trying to hang on; this had probably never happened to him before.

[@drewhunkins7192]

It's an incredible moment. Stunning!

[@brendansheerin8980]

As a raider fan its painful to watch this but i have say Earl was a superb player as this incident shows

[@jimbecker6093]

BTW, I love the hit he puts on Isiah Robertson (Rams #58) around 2:29 in the video. Roberston was a first rounder in 1971 along with other greats like John Riggins, Archie Manning (whose Dad?), Jack Tatum, John Brockington and Jack Youngblood. Earl just lays Isiah out and he's not even going that fast.

[@onehunglow4u1]

PAT123717 That was an awesome hit by Hollywood but he didn't hit him as head on as Tatum IMO, that's why he flew off to the side. If Tatum hits him more head on then he takes/delivers more punishment, then again there is the speed issue. I honestly can't decide who hit who.

[@onehunglow4u1]

I have a question for you PAT that has been bothering me for a while. Do you think Earl pre-cut or otherwise weakened his jerseys so as to tear and fall away when players tried tackling him by grabbing material? I have heard the stories of guys wearing super tight jerseys and then spraying themselves with Pam cooking oil but not weakening/tearing/cutting seams. Also, in your heart, was Earl better than Jim Brown? I honestly think he was but always catch shit from ppl when I say so. BTW, I was born and raised in New Hampshire so I am a life long patriots fan, all I ever had to root for was Craig James lol.

[@onehunglow4u1]

Wow, you sure brought back some memories for me while discussing your high school years. Wonderful times!!! I was aware that Campbell had large thighs but 34", OMG. It kind of makes me mad at times to see the God gifted athletes like Bo, Moss, etc. Why didn't I get these gifts as well Lord?!? I guess they wouldn't have been gifted if the hadn't have been, well, gifted. Still, to take the field as a dominant pro just once, I can't even imagine what a thrill it must have been (and still is). Look forward to chatting again. L8R

[@OurBlackFriend]

1:30 is really a Tatum highlight, but w/e. I mean, yes, Campbell did fall into the end zone, but he was ktfo, Tatum just stood up afterwards like "well, shit...". Campbell was down for a minute

[@RonSweeney]

great video, great running back.

[@4to88strings]

Yeah, that was our biggest blowout in the playoffs. Don't know if you're too young to remember but Plano had beaten us 3 TD's to 1 in a pre-season scrimmage in Plano. I remember going against a guy named Murray, Richard I think. Good player.

[@Screencappedhats]

1. Campbell 2. Sanders 3. Brown 4. Payton 5. Dickerson Any questions?

[@maciahstephenson7411]

One question how about bo jackson

[@Screencappedhats]

Maciah Stephenson he was awesome in college but in the pros he never had a 1,000 yds rushing in a season. He never played an entire 16 game season.(his most was 11 games) I don't why anyone would think he deserves to be on the list of top RBs of all time ?

[@maciahstephenson7411]

***** True True

[@JC-eg1zu]

***** question: how stupid are you? campbell isn't even close to sanders, payton, brown or dickerson

[@Screencappedhats]

Based on YPC yes.

[@jimbecker6093]

It was his thighs. Each thigh was 34" around. Kept him upright for the duration of hits and also allowed him to take HUGE strides in the open.

[@williamtate6268]

Earl Campbell was the best rb of all time!

[@dwaynegreen1786]

I was watching that game when Tatum made that hit. The next day I had a dentist appointment and out of the blue, my dentist blurts out: “did you see that hit by Tatum yesterday”😀I couldn’t say anything because he had my mouth locked open.😅Being a Raider fan, we all knew that it was a matter of time before Tatum laid a hit on a running back. Years later as I was getting an autograph from Tatum and I asked him did he feel that hit as well. He said: “you saw walk off the field immediately after. I was on the PAT defense😂😂😂

[@goguard07]

Jim Brown on the greatest running backs in NFL history: "I am number one, Earl Campbell is second, put the rest in any order you wish." Nuff said!

[@richardnavarrette9663]

A Longhorn among men!!

[@crosbonit]

Jack Tatum hit Earl Campbell WITH EVERYTHING HE HAD. Total old school hit. But he could not stop EC from entering the end zone. Made him stumble, but it was no use.

[@papa6bell]

@Crosbonit Earl had to be helped off the field after that Tatum hit!

[@4to88strings]

@KTtraintowin 1 mo story. E was a huge part of our team but we were very talented. Lynn King our FB/MLB was a brute too. Earl got put out of a game after a late sideline hit+Lynn went on to run for 150yds+score 2 TDs A leg injury kept him from pro-ball. Ron Lee was our TE/DE, All-America at Baylor+played 16 yrs in NFL w/Dolphins and Seahawks. Gary Johnson was AA nose tackle at Baylor and played for Colts+Bears but back problems kept him from big-time notoriety. 2 others went pro+many to college

[@4to88strings]

@KTtraintowin Glad U like the story, I have more on this page+others. Unfortunately I had major knee surgery. I tried for a walk-on at Tyler Junior College, but I had lost speed and agility. I tried out for the Astros too, but didn't make it. I can only imagine how beasts like Earl feel at this age. I played hard and I've since had surgery on my other knee, my shoulder, both my hands, and my leg/ankle is now held together with screws and and plate. I see Earl now and it brings a tear to my eye.

[@Ebeneezerable]

@napoleonseven Earl is tied at No. 156 w/6 others for career fumbles. I'd say for as much as he carried the ball that's pretty good. Every down it was Earl...there goes Earl again..their givin it to Earl. That's why his knees gave out after 8 seasons. I also say the defenders were scared to try and take Earls ball. He was a punisher of the highest degree like Butkis or L.C. Greenwood, Jack Hamm. Of course I seen Earl walk right over many of these, point is Earl was a RB that played like a LB.

[@lonestarjwells]

He had STRONG hands. Watch him carry the ball like a loaf of bread.

[@flintknudsen2155]

1:28 Iconic collision!

[@lonestarjwells]

@4to88strings I listened to that game on the radio, against Austin-Regan. It seemed like Earl was scoring every point, even as a linebacker, if I remember right.

[@Tall-Cool-Drink]

The best running back since Jim Brown.

[@elixhall4762]

His Hotlinks are fire To!!!!

[@paynee1010]

Yaa A yaaaaa

EARL KICKS ASS IF YOU HAD A FOOTBALL TEAM THATS YOUR BACK GO EARL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@dutchflats]

Aww poor Jack Tatum.....you gotta headache Jackie???

[@arthurdmiranda]

They said after Campbell took the hit from Tatum he had to walk it off for a while n he had a headache

[@4to88strings]

We were a great defense too. We were called "The Wrecking Crew" and allowed only 88 points in 15 games.The great Bob Lilly said we were the best High School defense he'd ever seen and would put us up against some college teams. We were actually scheduled to play Tyler Junior College in a kind of charity scrimmage game, but they came up with excuses like some kind of B.S. about conflicting school policies yadda yadda blah blah......truth is...THEY WUZ SKEEARED!!!

[@paulleach5841]

Love the Jack Tatum hit! #RNFL

[@KTtraintowin]

awesome video !!

[@GZA036]

1:27 Jack Tatum rings Earl's bell... he was on the ground for about 5 minutes lol

[@GZA036]

+bobwatters Yeah, what a warrior

[@derricklucas5873]

I remember my Dad yelling "NO JACK NO!" when The Assassin tried taking on The Tyler Rose. Tatum knocked himself out of the game, and The Raiders 1979 wildcard playoff chances with it, if memory serves....

[@KTtraintowin]

@4to88strings great story !!! Did you play ball past high school ?

[@4to88strings]

@lonestarjwells Barry's right I commented below regarding my playing days in HS with Earl I wish everyone could've had a chance to see him run back then We had an awesome team and went from obscurity (weren't even picked to win our district) to a 15-0 season We had a helluva defense too allowing only 88 points in 15 games. The best was beating top-ranked Plano 34-0. They'd been talking shit and Earl went crazy with over 250 yds, and on one play gained 15 or so with every defender on his back!!

[@pineytreez6811]

Earl Campbell just threw Jack Tatum like a rag doll after that hit and still scored a touchdown.🤣😂...Man, the Texans need to get permission from the Tennessee so they can change their name new the Houston Oilers..

[@MysticPotato68]

Awesome, notice they don't show the part were Earl had his head to the ground after he stumbled into the end zone, or should I say black out after Tatum hit him. I believe was a Monday night game too.

[@4to88strings]

Glad I could make your dayB>) Dorsett was a great back but he was a bit of a wuss when he went pro and would"take a dive"Big boyz be hittin harder than college Thank God he was fast and elusive(and usually had a great O-line) BUT he was no Barry Sanders (damn I wished he'd stayed playing and maybe with a good team he was somethin else, but you could say the same for Walter P) I have some other posts here and and a few other pages on my HS playing days with Earl and our championship team. CIO

[@4to88strings]

@lonestarjwells That was a great game Almost 17,000 people at the Astrodome which was alot back then The 1st state champ game at the Dome. Lynn King was our MLB/FB and was a handful. Earl probably went in a few times but didn't score any TDs on defense. He gained over 165 yds at 5.2avg with 2 touchdowns. Unfortunately I was on the sidelines recovering from major knee surgery, but watched every minute and assisted the coaches calling in plays. They say Darell Royal was in the press box drooling!

[@ManMoney123]

Dangg this guy got his jersey ripped off and still kept it moving

[@4to88strings]

On the hit at 1:32 any other mere mortal (Dorsett) would have crumpled to the turf in a heap crying for his Momma. Earl Campbell was the only running back that could hurt the other guy more than the other guy hurt him. Don't get me wrong Jim Brown, Franco, Csonka, Riggins. Akoye were all punishing backs, but ask the incredible Steelers MLB Jack Lambert who was the toughest to bring down and he doesn't hesitate saying Earl Campbell.

[@stargazer4683]

So is that jack Tatum number 32 raiders right ? 1:27

[@drewhunkins7192]

Yep. And it's a seminal moment: two of the greatest ever colliding.

[@Jalfmar3]

Bud Adams needs to find the secret lab where they make bionic bodies. He owes one to Earl. The human body wasn't meant to do that superhuman crap he did. Holy (insert exclamation of your choice here)!!!!!

[@jap_johnson]

1:28 Earl and Jack collide and bounce off each other

[@NOWONMAI73]

That hit from Tatum would have killed most men.

[@donphares9006]

That's what you call a controlled violence

[@donphares9006]

I always daydreamed of Earl playing for a team like the Pittsburgh Steelers they would have never lost a game the same for Hakeem stuck on that dollar store team

[@paynee1010]

Thare was sweteness from chicgo right

[@jamestrussell4691]

The only one that was like Campbell was Czonka. Earle had speed.

[@JustJeph33]

Now I see it: Tatum hit him high (his usual tactic), when he should've punched the gut. But hey, you ever see a big guy move like Campbell??

[@Psycho-Nomics]

@napoleonseven Maybe players didn't get stripped as much back then. It's hard to imagine a player carrying the ball out like that today.