Almost 50 years ago, in 1973, O.J. Simpson, the NFL’s best ever runner, was about to embark on a dynamic and mind-boggling season that many fans in America thought was merely impossible. He became the first runner to rush for over 2,000 yards in a single-season in 14 games. In 1973, O.J. was chosen the NFL’s Most Valuable Player and Player of the Year. He was in quest of all the prizes.
By Danny Jones
REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio, July 29, 2022 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — At 6’2″ and and a rugged 207 pounds, O.J. Simpson was the prototype and millennium of the modern day runners of the future. He was one of the first of the fast, athletic running talents who combined 9.3 world-class speed, 4.3 quickness in the 40-yard dash, strength, high-tech moves, elusiveness, acceleration, and the ability to cut back against the grain. O.J. and Gale Sayers were the most gifted, feared, and sensational runners of any generation. They also defined and transcended the running game to another level and new stratosphere in 1965 (Gale’s rookie year). In the 70’s, long striding, high-stepping, and smooth running O.J. Simpson even re-defined and transcended Gale’s level by taking his running skills to another stratosphere on a higher tier with his 9.3 world-class 100-yard dash speed, moves, and his outstanding athleticism. Nobody else has reached it yet. O.J. Simpson is the best runner in NFL history. To this day, past or present, nobody has come close. O.J. set the standard which may never be broken. In track, he was an outstanding world-class sprinter for USC– running the 100-yard dash and running on the 4 x 110-yard relay team. At the NCAA track championships in Provo, Utah in June of 1967, O.J. ran on the 4 x 110-yard relay team and won in a world-record time of 38.6. It’s a record that won’t be broken. He is the fastest running back in NFL history and was one of the world’s fastest humans in his heyday. Only one or two other players are as fast as he is. O.J. Simpson, “Bullet” Bob Hayes of the Dallas Cowboys, and Gale Sayers of the Chicago Bears were the 3 most dynamic and exciting players in Pro Football history. http://www.starsofthenfl.com Nobody has the instinctive God-given talents to run the football like O.J. Simpson and Gale Sayers. They are also the 2 best open field runners.
In 1969, O.J. Simpson was the first player taken in the first round of the AFL/NFL draft by the lowly Buffalo Bills. He had 3 uneventful years, but his 3rd year was better than his first 2 years (742 yards). O.J. had no blocking, no reliable quarterback, poor coaching, a terrible team, and the Bills had a bad organization. The Juice didn’t carry the football much. Those were tough times. In 1972, his 4th year, things began to change. New Coach Lou Saban brought stability and structure to Buffalo and O.J. got the football. He led the NFL in rushing with 1,251 yards and scored 6 touchdowns. In the 7th game of the season, O.J. breezed for a 94-yard touchdown against the “Steel Curtain” defense as he rushed for 189 yards. It was the longest run of his illustrious career. The Steelers won 38-21, but O.J. had arrived and a star was born. In 1975, in the 2nd game, O.J. ran against the “Steel Curtain” for 227 yards and had a phenomenal 88-yard touchdown sprint against what was considered the best defense in NFL history. It was perhaps the most exciting running play in NFL annuals and was O.J.’s greatest run. He showcased his 9.3 world-class speed to a national television audience for all of America to behold, as the former 1968 Heisman Trophy winner and sprinter ran wild, shredded, and melted the “Steel Curtain” as he embarrassed them 30-21. It was vintage O.J. Simpson at his best as he cruised and strutted his stuff to the end zone. That play defined his iconic career. The Juice was loose. O.J. Simpson was charming, personable, and handsome. He was the NFL’s poster boy during the 70’s and was the persona man for all seasons. O.J. had style, grace, and speed. He is the GOAT.
Here is O.J. Simpson’s 2,003 yard odyssey season in 1973.
O.J.’s attempts and rushing yards, touchdowns
Week 1
- Bills-31 29 for 250 yards (NFL-record)
- 2 touchdowns
- NE-13
Week 2
- SD-34 22 for 103 yards
- 1 touchdown
- Bills-7
Week 3
- Bills-9 24 for 123 yards
- 1 touchdown
- Jets-7
Week 4
- Bills-27 27 for 171 yards
- 1 touchdown
- Eagles-26
Week 5
- Bills-31 22 for 166 yards
- 2 touchdowns
- Colts-13
Week 6
- Miami-27 14 for 55 yards
- Bills-6
Week 7
- Bills-23 39 for 157 yards
- 2 touchdowns
- KC-14
Week 8
- Saints-13 20 for 79 yards
- Bills-0
Week 9
- Bills-13 20 for 99 yards
- 1 touchdown
- Bengals-16
Week 10
- Miami-17 20 for 120 yards
- Bills-0
Week 11
- Bills-24 15 for 124 yards
- 1 touchdown
- Colts-17
Week 12
- Bills-37 15 for 137 yards
- Falcons-6
Week 13
- Bills-37 22 for 219 yards
- 1 touchdown
- NE-13
Week 14
- Bills-34 34 for 200 yards
- 1 touchdown
- Jets-14
Totals for 1973- 332 carries for an NFL-record 2,003 yards and a NFL-high 12 rushing touchdowns, and a 6.0 average yards per carry. The Bills finished with a second place 9-5 record.
Career Highlights and awards
College Football’s leading rusher in 1967 (1,543 yards) and 1968 (1,880 yards)
2-time UPI Player of the Year (1967, 1968)
Unanimous All-American (1967-1968)
Game-winning 64-yard touchdown run against UCLA clinched Rose Bowl and a National Championship game for USC (1967)
Named Outstanding Player in the Rose Bowl 1967
National Champions (1967)
Heisman Trophy winner in 1968
Winner Maxwell Memorial Trophy in 1968
Named College Football’s Player of the 60’s (1969)
AFL All-Star (1969)
Had an 80-yard touchdown run against the Buckeyes in the 1969 Rose Bowl
Returned a kickoff 88 yards for a touchdown in the 1969 Hula Bowl
Named to the AFC All-Star team 1970
1972, 1973, 1975 Named AFC MVP/Player of the Year
1973 MVP/Player of the Year
1973 AFC MVP/Player of the Year
1973, 1975 Named Offensive MVP/Player of the Year
1973 First player to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season
1973 Bert Bell Award
Named Hickok Belt Professional Athlete of the Year
1973 AP Athlete of the Year
1973 NEA MVP
4-time NFL rushing yards leader (1972, 1973, 1975, 1976)
NFL’s scoring leader 1975
Scored an NFL-record 23 touchdowns in 1975 (since broken)
Won the Superstars competition in 1975
5-time Pro Bowl (1972-1976)
5-time First team All-Pro (1972-1976)
Gained over 1,000 yards rushing 5 straight seasons (1972-1976)
Posted 42 100-yard rushing games in his career
2-time NFL rushing touchdowns leader (1973,1975)
Tied for most games with 200 plus rushing yards with 6 games
In 1973, O.J. averaged an NFL-record 143.1 rushing yards per game, still an NFL-record for nearly 50 years
Once held the NFL-record for most rushing yards in a single-game with 250 yards (Patriots in 1973) and 273 yards (Lions in 1976)
Named the NFL’s Player of the 70’s (1979)
NFL 1970’s All-Decade Team
NFL 75th Anniversary All-Time Team
NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team
Inducted into College Football Hall of Fame (1983)
Inducted into Pro Football Hall of Fame (1985)
Here is a list of O.J. Simpson’s longest touchdowns of his NFL career of 41 yards or more: 95 (kickoff return), 94, 88, 80, 78, 75, 64 pass, 64 pass, 63, 62 pass, 58, 56, 55 pass, 48, 46, 44, 44, and 41 yards.
O.J. had one of the best ever offensive lines blocking for him. It was called, “The Electric Company.” This line was comprised of guards Reggie McKenzie (O.J.’s main man), and Joe DeLamielleure. Tackles Dave Foley and Donnie Green, and centers Mike Montler and Ray Jarvis. O.J.’s running mate was James Braxton. He was an excellent runner, an outstanding blocker, and receiver. Bob Chandler and J.D. Hill were 2 of the best receivers in the NFL. O.J. was one of the best all-around running backs in history- blocking or running. He was a great receiver (when he was used appropriately- like in 1975). O.J. was simply the most exciting runner the NFL will ever see. Nobody could do the the things could do. He was a one man team who practically carried the Bills on his shoulders. O.J.played in Buffalo in the brutal cold, snow, and ice. Like a true legend, he set records in it. O.J retired in 1979, as the 2nd leading rusher of all-time, with 11,236 yards, trailing only Jimmy Brown. He scored a total of 76 touchdowns. In a 1976 poll, O.J. Simpson was voted as the most admired male athlete in America. He was perhaps the most popular and the biggest gate-attraction in the NFL in the 70’s.
Here are some helpful links about Danny Jones’ other books:
- Unknown Author Gives Recognition to 101 of the NFL’s Best Ever Players of the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s
- The NFL Commemorates the 100th Anniversary of Pro Football- While Unknown Author Danny Jones has written 5 books on 101 of the best players from the 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s
- Amazon.com: Danny Jones: Books, Biography, Blog, Audiobooks, Kindle
About the Author
Danny Jones is 69 years old (born in 1953), and lives with his beautiful wife, Tina, and his pretty cat, Phoebe, in Reynoldsburg, Ohio. He is retired and has written 6 football books about 102 NFL stars. These books are about the legends of the sensational 60’s and the fun-loving 70’s. It’s about helping to get these players in the Hall of Fame where they should be.
Danny played amateur and semi-pro football for over a decade during the 70’s and 80’s. He was a wide receiver and compiled some outstanding statistics during his career. Danny caught 302 passes for 5,519 yards and 66 touchdowns. He scored 15 touchdowns of 40 or more yards. Danny enjoys the simple pleasures of life. No drama here.
Media Contact
Danny Jones, Danny Jones, 1 614-863-4790, [email protected]
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