Who's won NFL MVP as a running back? The complete list (that might include Derrick Henry soon)
charles curtis
·1-min read
Oct 6, 2024; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Baltimore Ravens running back Derrick Henry (22) runs the ball as Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Myles Murphy (99) makes the tackle during the second half at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images ORG XMIT: IMAGN-880938 ORIG FILE ID: 20241006_sns_mb3_00464.JPG
If it's felt like the NFL Most Valuable Player award has become the anointing of the best quarterback every year, you'd be right.
We've seen big-name QBs win the award every year since 2012. And it was that year that a running back who hit the 2,000-yard mark won it (trivia question! Can you name him? I know you can).
But he's not the only running back who's won NFL MVP. And with all the chatter about Derrick Henry being in the running (pun slightly intended) for MVP, let's go over the full list of RBs who have won it:
1. Jim Brown, Cleveland Browns (three times -- 1957, 1958 and 1965)
Sep 1963; Cleveland, OH, USA; FILE PHOTO; Cleveland Browns running back Jim Brown (32) on the bench during the 1963 season at Cleveland Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Malcolm Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
2. Paul Hornung, Green Bay Packers (1961)
Aug 2, 2014; Canton, OH, USA; Paul Hornung looks on at the TimkenSteel Grand Parade on Cleveland Avenue in advance of the 2014 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-185954 [Via MerlinFTP Drop]
3. Jim Taylor, Green Bay Packers (1962)
Green Bay Packers quarterback Zeke Bratkowski (12), Jim Taylor (31), Bart Starr (15) and teammates walk onto Lambeau Field for their game against the Los Angeles Rams on Sept, 25, 1966, in Green Bay, Wis. The Packers defeated the Rams 24-13. Gpg Packers Archive Series 11072022 0035
4. O.J. Simpson, Buffalo Bills (1973)
Unknown date and location, USA; FILE PHOTO; Buffalo Bills running back O.J. Simpson (32) along with tackle Donnie Green (74). Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports [Via MerlinFTP Drop]
5. Walter Payton, Chicago Bears (1977)
EMBARGOED UNTIL OCT. 1, 2019 Nov 4, 1984; Chicago, IL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bears running back (34) Walter Payton is chased by Los Angeles Raiders defensive end (75) Howie Long at Soldier Field. The Bears defeated the Raiders 17-6. Mandatory Credit: Tony Tomsic-USA TODAY NETWORK usp [Via MerlinFTP Drop]
6. Earl Campbell, Houston Oilers (1979)
Sep 6, 1981; Anaheim, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Houston Oliers running back Earl Campbell (34) in action against the Los Angeles Rams at Anaheim Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports [Via MerlinFTP Drop]
7. Marcus Allen, Los Angeles Raiders
Aug 3, 2013; Canton, OH, USA; Marcus Allen (left) and Troy Aikman at the 2013 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement at Fawcett Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-131848 ORIG FILE ID: 20120803_jel_al2_319.jpg
8. Thurman Thomas, Buffalo Bills (1991)
Jan 26, 1992; Minneapolis, MN, USA; FILE PHOTO; Washington Redskins linebacker (55) ANDRE COLLINS hits Buffalo Bills running back (34) THURMAN THOMAS behind the line of scrimmage during Super Bowl XXVI at the Metrodome. The Redskins defeated the Bills 37-24. Mandatory Credit: Tony Tomsic-USA TODAY NETWORK usp
9. Emmitt Smith, Dallas Cowboys (1993)
Former NFL football player Emmitt Smith poses on the 150th Kentucky Derby red carpet Saturday. May 04, 2024
10. Barry Sanders, Detroit Lions (co-MVP with Brett Favre, 1997)
DETROIT, MICHIGAN - SEPTEMBER 30: Former player Barry Sanders looks on prior to the game between the Seattle Seahawks and the Detroit Lions at Ford Field on September 30, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 776151388 ORIG FILE ID: 2175761910
11. Terrell Davis, Denver Broncos (1998)
Aug 4, 2017; Canton, OH, USA; Terrell Davis during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Game-Enshrinees' Gold Jacket Dinner at Canton Memorial Civic Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-361866 ORIG FILE ID: 20170804_lbm_db4_150.JPG
12. Marshall Faulk, St. Louis Rams (2000)
Nov 20, 2014; Oakland, CA, USA; NFL Network broadcasters Marshall Faulk before the Thursday Night Football game between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Oakland Raiders at O.co Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-180334 ORIG FILE ID: 20141120_jla_al2_046.jpg
13. Shaun Alexander, Seattle Seahawks (2005)
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - OCTOBER 16: Former player Shaun Alexander of the Seattle Seahawks talks during his Ring of Honor Induction Ceremony at Lumen Field at halftime against the Arizona Cardinals on October 16, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Lindsey Wasson/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 775825970 ORIG FILE ID: 1433935109
14. LaDainian Tomlinson, Los Angeles Chargers (2006)
Jul 30, 2017; Costa Mesa CA, USA; Pro Football of Fame 2017 inductee LaDainian Tomlinson speaks during the opening day of Los Angeles Chargers training camp at the Jack Hammett Sports Complex. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-361756 ORIG FILE ID: 20170730_ads_al2_182.JPG
15. Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings (2012)
Jun 15, 2016; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson (28) answers questions after practice at mini camp. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-271340 ORIG FILE ID: 20160615_gma_ai9_102.jpg
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![Aug 2, 2014; Canton, OH, USA; Paul Hornung looks on at the TimkenSteel Grand Parade on Cleveland Avenue in advance of the 2014 Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-185954 [Via MerlinFTP Drop]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/QRHTw9QYXnf9M4eIhh1Prw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcyNg--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/ftw_outdoors_usa_today_article_609/40e70dc4e09e605ad136a0933cd1b50b)
![Unknown date and location, USA; FILE PHOTO; Buffalo Bills running back O.J. Simpson (32) along with tackle Donnie Green (74). Mandatory Credit: Manny Rubio-USA TODAY Sports [Via MerlinFTP Drop]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/TBRIplaK1ezD1UO0T3_B4g--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTEzOTY-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/ftw_outdoors_usa_today_article_609/34c9f33fb55a5c92946980333cebc509)
![EMBARGOED UNTIL OCT. 1, 2019 Nov 4, 1984; Chicago, IL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Chicago Bears running back (34) Walter Payton is chased by Los Angeles Raiders defensive end (75) Howie Long at Soldier Field. The Bears defeated the Raiders 17-6. Mandatory Credit: Tony Tomsic-USA TODAY NETWORK usp [Via MerlinFTP Drop]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Pqd1wiUlysfgxjsSyD1qyg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTY0OQ--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/ftw_outdoors_usa_today_article_609/d4a3f6a8d9c7fbf29f5a5d7ff561dcf3)
![Sep 6, 1981; Anaheim, CA, USA; FILE PHOTO; Houston Oliers running back Earl Campbell (34) in action against the Los Angeles Rams at Anaheim Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Richard Mackson-USA TODAY Sports [Via MerlinFTP Drop]](https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/jKmdkLa1D6wLvDnEmoCvSQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTEzODc-/https://media.zenfs.com/en/ftw_outdoors_usa_today_article_609/1b21cacc13eab1b6aeda99afd4d8c3bb)
