Cards From the Best RBs of the Decade
Loading ...The 2000s featured countless offensive powerhouses, and even though the game was full-on transitioning to a pass-first league, the best running backs of the era could do it all: Run, catch, and in Ladanian Tomlinson’s case – even throw quite a few touchdowns. These were the salad days. Pure offense – all the time… Unless they were playing Baltimore or Chicago.
Let’s reminisce about this incredible time in running back history by diving into the Topps Football archives to look back at some of the greatest ‘backs of the 2000s, along with some of their most fascinating cards. And while you’re here, vote for who you think is the best RB from the 2000s. Anyone we miss?
The Top RBs of the 2000s
2009 Topps National Chicle Mini Artist Proof Artist Signature #C141 Clinton Portis /10
Player info
• Most rushing yards in a history through his age 24 season: 5,930
• holds the record for being the youngest player to score four tds in a game (21 years 105 days) and five tds (22 years, 97 days)
Set info
• mini artist proof artist signature set featured 200 players
player quote
• “I can be a receiver, a cornerback, a safety, and quarterback-I can play everything.” – Clinton portis
2006 Topps Football Triple Threads Relics Gold #TTR-85 Tiki Barber /9
Player info
• gained the most yards from scrimmage from 2003 through the 2006 season
• one of 31 players to eclipse 10,000 yards rushing
set info
• Triple thread relics Gold featured 35 historic and active players
Card back
• name, team, card code, and a list of barber’s franchise rushing records for new york
2023 Topps Motif Football Virtuoso Marks #VM-SA Shaun Alexander /10
Player info
• 2005 MVP and offensive player of the year
• first player in league history to score 15 or more tds in five consecutive seasons
Set info
• virtuoso marks features 49 players with six parallels /20 to /1
What they said
• “He was a phenomenal player, phenomenal running back, phenomenal teammate, a great guy on and off the field. I think that was the thing other people were drawn to him by.” – Mack strong, teammate
2000 Topps Finest Football Refractor Auto #FM9 Edgerrin James
Player info
• Led the league in rushing in his first two seasons
• one of five players in league history with four 1,500+ yard rushing seasons (barry sanders, eric dickerson, water payton, derrick henry)
set info
• Finest refractor autos featured 25 players
what they said
• “To be the best of all time, you have to do it over and over. I want to keep it up, and then the numbers will speak for themselves.” – edgerrin james
2001 Topps Chrome Football #221 LaDainian Tomlinson Refractor RC /999
Player info
• Holds the league record for the most single-season touchdowns: 31
• Fastest player in league history to gain 15,000 yards from scrimmage: 121 games
set info
• 310 card set
• also featured a black refractor parallel set featuring 100 players
What they said
• “He made everyone around him better. He was a phenomenal leader. When LT spoke, everybody listened. And he backed it up with his actions, more so than anything he could ever say.” – drew brees
