The running back is the basic building block of any football team. Frequently, the running back is the best player on the team. The running back is a target from the moment that he takes the ball. It takes a special kind of person to be a running back and someone even more special to be great at it.

Barry Sanders was born on July 16, 1968, in Wichita, Kansas. He went to high school at North High School in Wichita, Kansas. Barry went to college at Oklahoma State University. He was drafted third overall in 1989, by the Detroit Lions. He won NFL Rookie of the Year (NFC) in 1989. Barry won rushing titles in 1990, 1994, and in 1996.

Emmitt Smith was born on May 15, 1969, in Pensacola, Florida. In 1990, he was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round. He won Rookie of the Year in 1990. Emmitt Smith won the Super Bowl in 1993. Also in 1993, he was named NFL MVP. He won his second Super Bowl in 1994 and was named Super Bowl MVP.

Franco Harris was born on March 7, 1950, in Fort Dix, New Jersey. He went to high school at Rancocas Valley Regional High School, in Mount Holly, New Jersey. Franco went to college at Pennsylvania State University. He was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1972. In that same year, he was named Rookie of the Year. Franco won four Super Bowls with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1990.

Walter Payton was born on July 25, 1954, in Columbia, Mississippi. He went to college at Jackson State College. Walter was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 1975 NFL draft. At the time of his retirement, in 1987, Walter had set eight records. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1993.

Tony Dorsett was born on April 17, 1954, in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. He went to Hopewell High School, which was in Aliquippa, Pennsylvania. He went to college at the University of Pittsburgh. In 1977, Dorsett was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in the first round. He won NFL Rookie of the Year (NFC) in 1977. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1994.