Rookie Rushing Record

[JoeZagorski]

Hey Guys,
To the best of your knowledge, did John Brockington set the (then) NFL Rookie Rushing Record in 1971?
Joe Zagorski

[Rupert Patrick]

Hey Guys,
To the best of your knowledge, did John Brockington set the (then) NFL Rookie Rushing Record in 1971?
Joe Zagorski

That is correct. The record was first set (in the 1,000-yard era) by Beattie Feathers in 1934 when he rushed for 1,004 yards. He held the rookie mark until 1962 until Cookie Gilchrist of Buffalo rushed for 1,096. Cookie held the rookie record until 1971 when Brockington rushed for 1,105, then Don Woods of San Diego broke the mark with 1,162 in 1974. Woods didn't hold the record long either, as Earl Campbell took it four years later when he rushed for 1,450 in 1978, and the following season, Ottis Anderson of St. Louis upper the mark to 1,605. It only took two years for the record to be broken as George Rogers set a new mark at 1,674. Again, he didn't hold it for long as Eric Dickerson set a new rookie rushing record of 1,808 in 1983. This record, however, has stood the test of time.

[Jay Z]

Ironically, Don Woods and John Brockington played together, in training camp for the 1974 Packers. Brockington was just about to start his decline. Woods was the 3rd Packer chosen, in the 6th round because Dan Devine had traded away a few picks. He was the second RB the Packers chose behind Barty Smith of Richmond. Why Devine felt he needed another big, bruising back with Brockington and Lane already there, and more pressing needs, I do not know. Smith showed up to camp hurt and spent half the year on IR anyway.

Woods was waived to the Chargers at the end of camp. Vet Perry Williams also was waived to the Bears. Devine kept Eric Torkelson, a RB he drafted later. Torkelson was a pedestrian runner, but stayed around for 7 years on special teams work. He also kept Pete Van Valkenberg, a RB he'd picked up when he traded Scott Hunter to the Bills. Pete had made 10 yards a carry in Buffalo... on two carries. That's more than he got with the Packers. One kickoff return in five games. Pete was cut and off to the Bears with Perry Williams. Out of the league with Perry after the year. Devine also picked up veteran Dolphins backup Charlie Leigh after a few games and some injuries. Leigh carried the ball one time. The active rosters were expanded to 47 players, but Devine still couldn't find a way to keep Woods because... he was an idiot. I give up on trying to find football knowledge in the mind of Dan Devine. Great recruiter, I guess.

Woods had a great season. Only played in 12 games with the Chargers, and one of those was only two carries. Great offensive line. Walt Sweeney had been traded, but Carl Mauck, Doug Wilkerson, Russ Washington, and Terry Owens remained. Great continuity on a mess of a team. Ironically, in Woods' "revenge" game against the Pack, the Chargers got their butts kicked 34-0. Devine's last win as a pro coach. Woods did a knee the next year and never got back on track.

[L.C. Greenwood]

Woods had a great season. Only played in 12 games with the Chargers, and one of those was only two carries. Great offensive line. Walt Sweeney had been traded, but Carl Mauck, Doug Wilkerson, Russ Washington, and Terry Owens remained. Great continuity on a mess of a team. Ironically, in Woods' "revenge" game against the Pack, the Chargers got their butts kicked 34-0. Devine's last win as a pro coach. Woods did a knee the next year and never got back on track.[/quote]


I did some research, and Woods averaged 5.1 yards per carry that rookie season, with seven 100 yard games to his credit. This was in a 14 game season, and Woods didn't even suit up for the Chargers for the first 2 or 3 games.

[JoeZagorski]

Thanks Guys! Much obliged!

Joe Z.

[Ronfitch]

Also of note is that John Brockington was the first player to rush for 1,000 in each of his first three seasons in the NFL.

Brock did it in 14-game seasons. Jim Brown came up short in his rookie season, but that was also in the 12-game era.