Charts & Stats

Players with the most rushing yards in NFL history

What is Number of yards? As of Franco Harris (1972-1984), it's 12.1K Number of yards, down from 18.4K Number of yards in Emmitt Smith (1990-2004).

Author: Wantstats Research TeamSource: Wantstats Repository
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Players with the most rushing yards in NFL history — full underlying data
LabelNumber of yards
Emmitt Smith (1990-2004)18355 Number of yards
Walter Payton (1975-1987)16726 Number of yards
Frank Gore (2005-2020)16000 Number of yards
Barry Sanders (1989-1998)15269 Number of yards
Adrian Peterson (2007-2021)14918 Number of yards
Curtis Martin (1995-2005)14101 Number of yards
LaDainian Tomlinson (2001-2011)13684 Number of yards
Jerome Bettis (1993-2005)13662 Number of yards
Eric Dickerson (1983-1993)13259 Number of yards
Tony Dorsett (1977-1988)12739 Number of yards
Jim Brown (1957-1965)12312 Number of yards
Marshall Faulk (1994-2005)12279 Number of yards
Edgerrin James (1999-2009)12246 Number of yards
Marcus Allen (1982-1997)12243 Number of yards
Franco Harris (1972-1984)12120 Number of yards

Data Source: Wantstats Repository

Wantstats

Players with the most rushing yards in NFL history: Key Points

  • Because this reflects cumulative or point-in-time achievement, era effects such as rule changes or schedule length can make direct comparisons across generations less clean than the raw numbers suggest.

How To Read This Chart

Data shown reflects number of yards as of 2025, based on official league and governing-body records.

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Sales Leader, Bamberg

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Account and Business Manager, EFS-Holland BV

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Senior Retail Manager, LG Chem

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Rob Kooiker

Group Product Manager HVAC & Fire Protection GMA, Rockwool

I have been reading the first document or the study, the Global HVAC and FP market report 2021 till 2026. Must say, good info! I have not gone in depth at all parts, but got a good indication of the data inside!
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Strategy & Business Development Director, Dogan Holding

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