Earl Campbell

Earl Campbell is an American former professional football player who spent eight seasons as a running back in the National Football League (NFL), primarily with the Houston Oilers.

Player Profile, High School, and College Career

Earl Christian Campbell was born on March 29, 1955, in Tyler, Texas, USA. The Running Back stands 180 cm tall, and his playing weight was listed at 105 kg.

He attended John Tyler High School in Texas, where he was a highly touted prospect. He chose to stay in-state to play college football for the University of Texas Longhorns from 1974 to 1977. During his legendary senior season in 1977, he was named a Unanimous All-American and won the Heisman Trophy as the most outstanding player in college football.

He was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1990, and the University of Texas retired his number 20 jersey.

Professional Career

Campbell was selected by the Houston Oilers with the first overall pick in the 1978 NFL Draft. He made an immediate, seismic impact on the league, taking home the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award and the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award in his very first season.

During his prime years with the Oilers (1978–1984), Campbell was the driving force behind the franchise's "Luv Ya Blue" era under head coach Bum Phillips. He became the centerpiece of Houston's offense, achieving the rare feat of being named the NFL's Offensive Player of the Year in each of his first three seasons (1978–1980). In 1979, he won the AP NFL Most Valuable Player award after leading the league in both rushing yards and rushing touchdowns.

Midway through the 1984 season, Campbell was traded to the New Orleans Saints, where he played his final season and a half before retiring due to the physical toll his punishing running style had taken on his body.

He finished his career with 9,407 rushing yards, 74 rushing touchdowns, and five Pro Bowl selections. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1991, and the Tennessee Titans (formerly the Houston Oilers) retired his number 34 jersey.

Retirement

Campbell transitioned into a successful career in business. He founded Earl Campbell Meat Products, a company famous for its hot links and smoked sausages, which are sold in grocery stores across the United States.

He remains a beloved figure in his home state and is one of the few individuals officially designated a "Texas Legend" by the Texas State Legislature.

Career Highlights:

• 1979 – NFL Most Valuable Player
• 1978–1980 – 3× NFL Offensive Player of the Year
• 1978 – NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
• 1978–1980 – 3× First-team All-Pro
• 5× Pro Bowl selection
• 1978–1980 – 3× NFL rushing yards leader
• 1979, 1980 – 2× NFL rushing touchdowns leader
• NFL 1970s All-Decade Team
• NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team
• 1991 Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee