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54. Ottis Anderson

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54.  Ottis Anderson
Ottis Anderson had one of the best rookie seasons ever for a Running Back gaining over 1,600 yards on the ground.  Too bad he did for a bad St. Louis Cardinals team that was barely on the National radar.

Anderson would prove he was not a one-season wonder.  Although he would never again equal his rookie numbers he still posted decent ground numbers and was the highlight of a poor Cardinals team.  As it does in football, injuries piled up and he lost his explosiveness.  Anderson was however reinvented as a short-yardage specialist by the New York Giants and he again accumulated impressive tallies.  He was a natural leader and as he rarely fumbled he was a strong key to the Giants ability to control the ball for extended periods of time.  As a Giant, Ottis Anderson twice won the Super Bowl, capped with an MVP performance in Super Bowl XXV.

Although Anderson gained major exposure with the Giants, few remember that he retired in the top ten all-time in Rushing Yards.  He has since tumbled down that list, but he did have a long and fruitful career that few could match.

Should Ottis Anderson be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 76.6%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 14.3%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 6.1%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 2.9%

The Bullet Points

  • Country of Origin: West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S.A.
  • Eligible Since: Friday, 01 January 1999
  • Position: Running Back
  • Games Played: 182
  • Notable Statistics: 2,562 Rushing Attempts
    10,273 Rushing Yards
    81 Rushing Touchdowns
    376 Receptions
    3,062 Receiving Yards
    5 Receiving Touchdowns
    0 Pass Completions
    1 Pass Attempt
    98 Approximate Value

    6 Playoff Games
    101 Rushing Attempts
    433 Rushing Yards
    3 Rushing Touchdowns
    6 Receptions
    14 Receiving Yards
  • Played For: New York Giants, St. Louis Cardinals
  • College: Miami (FL)
  • Drafted: 1st Round, 8th Overall in 1979
  • Major Accolades and Awards: Super Bowl Rings (2) (New York Giants, Super Bowl XXI & XXV)
    UPI MVP (1) (1979)
    The Sporting News Player of the Year (1) (1979)
    AP Offensive Rookie of the Year (1979)
    PFWA Rookie of the Year (1979)
    The Sporting News Rookie of the Year (1979)
    First Team All-Pro Selection (1) (1979)
    Second Team All-Pro Selection (1) (1980)
    Pro Bowl Selections (2) (1979 & 1980)
    PFWA Comeback Player of the Year (1989)
    Super Bowl MVP (1990)
    All-Rookie (1979)
  • Other Points of Note: Top Ten Finishes: Rushing Yards (5) (1979, 1980, 1981, 1983 & 1984)
    Top Ten Finishes: Rushing Touchdowns (3) (1980, 1989 & 1990)
    Top Ten Finishes: Yards per Rushing Attempt (2) (1979 & 1980)
    Top Ten Finishes: Rushing Yards per Game (6) (1979, 1980, 1981, 1982, 1983 & 1984)
    Top Ten Finishes: Touchdowns (2) (1989 & 1990)
    Top Ten Finishes: Yards from Scrimmage (5) (1979, 1980, 1981, 1983 & 1984)
    Top Ten Finishes: All-Purpose Yards (5) (1979, 1980, 1981, 1983 & 1984)
  • Notable All Time Rankings: 19.   Rushing Touchdowns: 81
    23.   Rushing Attempts: 2,562
    30.   Rushing Yards: 10,273
    44.   Yards from Scrimmage: 13,335
    49.   Touchdowns: 86
    64.   All-Purpose Yards: 13,335

Should Ottis Anderson be in the Hall of Fame?

Definitely put him in! - 76.6%
Maybe, but others deserve it first. - 14.3%
Probably not, but it wouldn't be the end of the world. - 6.1%
No opinion. - 0%
No way! - 2.9%
Last modified on Tuesday, 21 March 2023 22:35

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