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Atlanta Falcons Running Backs: A Legacy Of Excellence

Trends January 09, 2025

Atlanta Falcons running back history is filled with some of the most iconic players in franchise history.

From the days of William Andrews in the 1960s to the present day, the Falcons have had a long line of talented running backs. Some of the most notable names include:

William Andrews
Gerald Riggs
Jamal Anderson
Warrick Dunn
Michael Turner
Devonta Freeman
Todd Gurley

These players have helped the Falcons achieve some of their greatest successes, including their only Super Bowl appearance in 1998. They have also been a source of pride for the city of Atlanta and the state of Georgia.

Name	Years	Rushing Yards	Rushing Touchdowns
William Andrews	1966-1973	4,494	37
Gerald Riggs	1987-1991	4,045	31
Jamal Anderson	1996-2001	4,194	40
Warrick Dunn	2002-2007	4,913	31
Michael Turner	2008-2013	6,081	62
Devonta Freeman	2014-2018	3,974	34
Todd Gurley	2020-2021	1,259	14

The Falcons' running back history is a rich one, filled with many great players. These players have helped the team achieve success on the field and have brought joy to fans all over the world.

Atlanta Falcons RB History

The Atlanta Falcons have a rich history of running backs, dating back to the team's inception in 1966. Over the years, the Falcons have had some of the most talented running backs in the NFL, including William Andrews, Gerald Riggs, Jamal Anderson, Warrick Dunn, Michael Turner, Devonta Freeman, and Todd Gurley.

Legendary Players: The Falcons have had some of the most iconic running backs in NFL history, including William Andrews and Jamal Anderson.
Record-Breaking Performances: Falcons running backs have set numerous NFL records, including Michael Turner's franchise record for rushing yards in a single season.
Key to Success: Running backs have been a key part of the Falcons' success over the years, helping the team reach the Super Bowl in 1998.
Fan Favorites: Falcons running backs have been some of the most popular players in team history, including Warrick Dunn and Devonta Freeman.
Ground and Pound: The Falcons have often relied on a strong running game to win games, with their running backs playing a major role in the team's offensive success.
Future Stars: The Falcons are always looking for the next great running back, and they have a number of promising young players on their roster.

The Atlanta Falcons' running back history is a rich one, filled with many great players and memorable moments. The team's running backs have been a key part of the Falcons' success over the years, and they continue to be an important part of the team's future.

1. Legendary Players

The Atlanta Falcons have a long and storied history of running backs, dating back to the team's inception in 1966. Over the years, the Falcons have had some of the most talented running backs in the NFL, including William Andrews and Jamal Anderson.

These legendary players have helped the Falcons achieve success on the field and have brought joy to fans all over the world. William Andrews was a key member of the Falcons' first Super Bowl team in 1998, and Jamal Anderson was one of the most exciting players in the NFL during his time with the Falcons.

The success of these legendary players has helped to make the Falcons one of the most respected teams in the NFL. Their contributions to the team's history are immeasurable, and they will always be remembered as some of the greatest players to ever wear a Falcons uniform.

The Falcons' running back history is a rich one, and it is filled with many great players. William Andrews and Jamal Anderson are just two of the many legendary players who have helped to make the Falcons one of the most successful teams in the NFL.

2. Record-Breaking Performances

The Atlanta Falcons have a long and storied history of running backs, and their record-breaking performances are a testament to their talent and dedication. Michael Turner's franchise record for rushing yards in a single season is just one example of the many records that Falcons running backs have set over the years.

Individual Achievements: Falcons running backs have set numerous individual records, including Michael Turner's franchise record for rushing yards in a single season. These records are a testament to the talent and skill of the Falcons' running backs.
Team Success: The Falcons' running backs have also played a major role in the team's success over the years. Their record-breaking performances have helped the Falcons win games and reach the playoffs.
Fan Excitement: The Falcons' running backs have always been a source of excitement for fans. Their record-breaking performances have helped to create some of the most memorable moments in Falcons history.

The Falcons' running backs have a long and storied history of record-breaking performances. These records are a testament to the talent and dedication of the Falcons' running backs, and they have played a major role in the team's success over the years.

3. Key to Success

Running backs have been a key part of the Falcons' success over the years. Their ability to gain yards on the ground and score touchdowns has helped the Falcons win games and reach the playoffs. In 1998, the Falcons reached the Super Bowl for the first time in franchise history, and their running backs played a major role in that success.

Consistent Production: Falcons running backs have been consistently productive over the years. They have consistently ranked among the league leaders in rushing yards and touchdowns.
Versatility: Falcons running backs are versatile players who can do more than just run the ball. They can also catch passes out of the backfield and block for the quarterback.
Leadership: Falcons running backs have often been leaders on the team. They have helped to set the tone for the offense and have been a source of inspiration for their teammates.
Fan Favorites: Falcons running backs have always been popular with fans. Their exciting play and dedication to the team have made them some of the most beloved players in franchise history.

The Falcons' running backs have been a key part of the team's success over the years. Their consistent production, versatility, leadership, and fan appeal have made them one of the most important positions on the team. The Falcons are fortunate to have a long and storied history of great running backs, and they will continue to be a key part of the team's success in the years to come.

4. Fan Favorites

Atlanta Falcons running backs have a long and storied history of being fan favorites. From William Andrews to Jamal Anderson to Warrick Dunn and Devonta Freeman, Falcons running backs have consistently been some of the most popular players on the team.

Excitement and Entertainment: Falcons running backs have always been known for their exciting and entertaining play style. They are often the most dynamic players on the field, and their ability to make big plays has always been a source of excitement for fans.
Community Involvement: Falcons running backs have also been known for their strong community involvement. They are often involved in charity work and other community events, and they are always willing to give back to the community that supports them.
Relatability: Falcons running backs are often seen as relatable by fans. They are often from humble beginnings, and they have had to work hard to achieve their success. This makes them easy for fans to connect with and root for.
Winning Attitude: Falcons running backs have a winning attitude, and they are always striving to be the best. This is something that fans can appreciate, and it is one of the reasons why they are so popular.

The popularity of Falcons running backs is a testament to their talent, dedication, and commitment to the team and the community. They are some of the most important players on the team, and they play a major role in the Falcons' success.

5. Ground and Pound

The Atlanta Falcons have a long and storied history of relying on a strong running game to win games. Their running backs have played a major role in the team's offensive success over the years, and they continue to be a key part of the team's identity.

Physicality and Dominance: The Falcons' running game has often been characterized by its physicality and dominance. Their running backs are known for their ability to run through tackles and gain tough yards. This physicality has helped the Falcons control the tempo of games and wear down their opponents.
Versatility and Balance: The Falcons' running backs are also known for their versatility and balance. They can run inside or outside, and they can also catch passes out of the backfield. This versatility makes the Falcons' offense more difficult to defend, and it allows them to adapt to different game situations.
Play-Action Success: The Falcons' running game has also been a key part of their play-action passing game. When the Falcons run the ball effectively, it opens up the passing game and makes it more difficult for defenses to defend. This play-action success has been a major factor in the Falcons' offensive success over the years.
Time of Possession: The Falcons' running game has also helped them control the time of possession. By keeping the ball on the ground and running the clock, the Falcons can limit the number of possessions that their opponents have. This can be a major advantage in close games, and it can also help the Falcons wear down their opponents over the course of a game.

The Falcons' running game has been a key part of the team's success over the years. Their running backs have played a major role in the team's offensive success, and they continue to be a key part of the team's identity. The Falcons' commitment to the running game is a major reason why they have been one of the most successful teams in the NFL over the past two decades.

6. Future Stars

The Atlanta Falcons have a long and storied history of running backs, and they are always looking for the next great player to add to their roster. They have a number of promising young running backs who could be the next stars of the team.

Scouting and Development
The Falcons have a strong scouting department that is always looking for talented running backs. They also have a good track record of developing young running backs into stars.
Recent Draft Picks
The Falcons have drafted several promising running backs in recent years, including Tyler Allgeier and Caleb Huntley. These players have shown flashes of brilliance and could be the next stars of the Falcons' running game.
Undrafted Free Agents
The Falcons have also found success signing undrafted free agent running backs. Cordarrelle Patterson is a prime example of this, as he has become one of the most productive running backs in the NFL since joining the Falcons.
Bright Future
The Falcons have a bright future at the running back position. They have a number of talented young players who could be the next stars of the team. The Falcons are excited about the future of their running game, and they believe that they have the pieces in place to be one of the best running teams in the NFL.

The Falcons' commitment to finding and developing young running backs is a key part of their long-term success. They have a number of promising players on their roster, and they are confident that they have the future stars of their running game in place.

Atlanta Falcons Running Back History FAQs

This section provides answers to frequently asked questions about the history of running backs for the Atlanta Falcons.

Question 1: Who is considered the greatest running back in Falcons history?

There is no definitive answer to this question, but some of the most iconic running backs in Falcons history include William Andrews, Gerald Riggs, Jamal Anderson, Warrick Dunn, Michael Turner, Devonta Freeman, and Todd Gurley.

Question 2: What is the single-season rushing record for a Falcons running back?

Michael Turner holds the Falcons' single-season rushing record with 1,731 yards, set in 2008.

Question 3: How many running backs have rushed for over 1,000 yards in a season for the Falcons?

Nine running backs have rushed for over 1,000 yards in a season for the Falcons: William Andrews, Gerald Riggs, Jamal Anderson, Warrick Dunn, Michael Turner, Jason Snelling, Devonta Freeman, Todd Gurley, and Cordarrelle Patterson.

Question 4: Who is the Falcons' all-time leading rusher?

Michael Turner is the Falcons' all-time leading rusher with 6,081 yards.

Question 5: What is the most memorable performance by a Falcons running back?

There are many memorable performances by Falcons running backs, but one that stands out is Jamal Anderson's 201-yard rushing performance in the 1998 NFC Championship Game against the Minnesota Vikings.

These are just a few of the most frequently asked questions about the history of running backs for the Atlanta Falcons. For more information, please visit the Falcons' official website.

Summary: The Atlanta Falcons have a long and storied history of great running backs. These players have helped the team achieve success on the field and have brought joy to fans all over the world. The Falcons are proud of their running back tradition, and they look forward to continuing to add to it in the years to come.

Transition: To learn more about the Atlanta Falcons, please visit the team's official website.

Conclusion

The Atlanta Falcons have a long and storied history of great running backs. These players have helped the team achieve success on the field and have brought joy to fans all over the world. From William Andrews to Jamal Anderson to Warrick Dunn and Michael Turner, the Falcons have had some of the most talented running backs in NFL history.

The Falcons' running back tradition is one of the most important parts of the team's identity. These players have helped the Falcons win games, reach the playoffs, and even appear in the Super Bowl. The Falcons are proud of their running back history, and they look forward to continuing to add to it in the years to come.