Cards From the Best RBs of the Decade
Loading ...The 1980s marked the first major transition from a run-first league to a passing league, but that didn’t stop the decade from being one of the most prolific in the history of the ground game. If it weren’t for two strike-shortened seasons, the decade would likely finish in the top two in yards per game and touchdowns scored. As it is, the ’80s still has the third-most rushing touchdowns in history (3,967) and the fourth-most rushing yards (525,969) – due in large part to the incredible performances of the players below.
To celebrate some of the greatest runners ever to carry the pigskin, we went into the archives to look back at the vintage Topps Football sets (and 2023 Topps Motif Football) that featured these unforgettable runners. We did our best to whittle the best of the decade down to this list, but while you’re here, help us out and vote on the top RB of the decade – did we get it right?
The Top RBs of the 1980s
1979 Topps Football #331 Record Breaker Earl Campbell RC
Player info
• 1978 offensive rookie of the year
• 1978 offensive player of the year
Set info
• 528 card set
• single parallel set: a cream-colored back of all 528 base cards
Player quote
• “I have it in my mind that if I work hard, then I shall receive.” – Earl Campbell
1984 Topps Football #239 Instant Replay Tony Dorsett
Player info
• tied for the longest rush in league history – 99 yards
• 12,739 career rushing yards
set info
• 396 card set
• instant replay subset features 35 players
card back
• “ya’ll don’t have to knock them down, just get in the way. Make them move, make them change direction or do something, and I’ll do the rest, don’t worry about it!” – Tony Dorsett to his teammates on his 99-yard TD run
2023 Topps Motif Football Gallery Graphs Auto #GG-MA Marcus Allen /15
Player info
• Holds the league record for the most Consecutive seasons with a rushing touchdown: 16
• holds the league record as the Oldest player to score 10+ touchdowns in a season: 37 years old
Set info
• gallery graphs feature 49 players
player quote
•“Respect yourself. Never sell yourself short. Believe in yourself regardless of what people think. You can accomplish anything, absolutely anything, if you set your mind to it.” – Marcus allen
1989 Topps Football #3 Record Breakers Eric Dickerson
Player info
• set the rookie rushing record: 1,808 yards
• the second player in league history to rush for over 2,000 yards (his 2,105 yards rushing is the most in league history)
set info
• 396 card set with each pack including 1 of 24 glossy cards
player quote
• “I think the one (record) I look at most and means the most to me is my rookie rushing record. You get one shot at that. You don’t get several. You don’t get 10. You get one.” – Eric Dickerson
1984 Topps Football Glossy Send-In #3 Walter Payton
Player info
• Holds the league record for Consecutive regular season starts by a running back: 170
• holds the league record for the most Games with 100 or more yards from scrimmage gained, career: 108
set info
• The football glossy send-in features 30 players in a 30-card set
What they say
• It’s the biggest thing I regret in my life.” – Coach Mike Ditka on not getting Payton a touchdown in the championship game
