Early Life and Struggles
Earl Campbell was born on March 29, 1955, in Tyler, Texas, earning the nickname “The Tyler Rose.” He grew up in a family of 11 children, where financial struggles were a constant challenge. Campbell and his siblings were required to work from an early age, contributing to the family’s income. His father, Bert, worked two jobs: one during the day in the rose fields and the other at night at Kmart. Tragically, when Earl was just 11 years old, his father passed away from a heart attack. This loss profoundly affected him and marked the beginning of his football journey. Surprisingly, Campbell began his football career as a kicker before transitioning into the position that would make him famous.
High School and the Rise of a Power Back
At John Tyler High School, Earl Campbell initially played as a linebacker, inspired by the legendary Dick Butkus. However, during his junior year, his coach Corki Nelson made the pivotal decision to move him to running back, a position that Campbell struggled with at first. He fumbled frequently and found it challenging to adjust to his new role. Despite this, Campbell’s background as a linebacker gave him a fearless mentality, and he quickly embraced contact. His senior year was when Campbell truly began to dominate, recording an incredible 236 rushing yards per game and scoring 29 touchdowns. His performance led his team to a 15-0 record and a state championship. By the end of high school, Campbell had earned the title of Mr. Football USA in 1973, and many believed he could have gone straight to the NFL from high school.
College Dominance at the University of Texas
After receiving offers from several prominent universities, Campbell chose to attend the University of Texas, where his legend only grew. At Texas, he studied the running style of NFL great Jim Brown, which influenced his own game. Campbell made his mark as one of the greatest running backs in college football history. In his freshman year, he rushed for 928 yards and six touchdowns, earning the Southwest Conference Newcomer of the Year award. As a sophomore, Campbell solidified his reputation, rushing for 1,118 yards and 13 touchdowns. Despite injury setbacks in his junior year, he continued to dominate.
In his senior year, Campbell had one of the most remarkable seasons in college football history, leading the nation with 1,744 rushing yards and 18 touchdowns. His efforts earned him the Heisman Trophy, the first ever for a player from the University of Texas. By the end of his college career, Campbell had amassed 4,571 total yards and 41 touchdowns.
NFL Stardom with the Houston Oilers
The Houston Oilers selected Earl Campbell as the first overall pick in the 1978 NFL Draft. His rookie season was nothing short of historic. In his very first NFL play, Campbell took a screen pass 73 yards for a touchdown. He quickly earned a reputation as the league’s most feared runner, trucking defenders and making plays that highlighted his immense power. During his rookie season, he led the NFL in rushing yards with 1,450, a record for a rookie at the time, and was second in rushing touchdowns with 13. His accolades included Offensive Rookie of the Year, Offensive Player of the Year, a Pro Bowl selection, and First-Team All-Pro honors.
Campbell’s dominance continued in his second season, where he rushed for 1,697 yards and 19 touchdowns, earning him NFL MVP honors. His power and toughness on the field were unparalleled, as he led the Oilers to the AFC Championship Game. However, despite Campbell’s individual success, the Oilers struggled in the playoffs, often falling to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
In his third NFL season, Campbell had one of the most outstanding individual performances in NFL history, rushing for 1,934 yards and securing his third consecutive Offensive Player of the Year award, a record that still stands today. Despite this, the Oilers were again unable to advance past the playoffs.
The Decline and Legacy
After three dominant seasons, Campbell’s career began to slow due to the wear and tear of his physical running style. In 1981, he posted career lows in rushing yards and touchdowns, and the Oilers failed to make the playoffs for the first time during his career. By 1983, after years of heavy usage and punishing hits, Campbell requested a trade from the Oilers and was sent to the New Orleans Saints. He played two more seasons before retiring in 1985.
Though Campbell’s career was relatively short, his impact on the game was immense. He finished with over 9,400 rushing yards and 74 touchdowns and was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2001. His brutal, physical style of play left a lasting legacy as the greatest power back the NFL has ever seen, and his name remains synonymous with toughness and dominance on the football field. Despite his later health struggles, Campbell’s legacy as the most feared running back in NFL history endures.
