Top Ten NFL Running Backs of the 1980's

I recently watched the NFL Network’s “Top Ten Running backs of the 1980’s.” They did a decent job, with one notable exception.

Rank, total yards, & touchdowns in the 80’s

1. 12859 - 82 Eric Dickerson (Colts & Rams)

2. 12914 - 63 Walter Payton (Bears)

3. 10936 - 80 Marcus Allen (Raiders)

4. 10866 - 65 Roger Craig (49ers)

5. 11828 - 61 Tony Dorsett (Cowboys)

6. 10286 - 64 Otis Anderson (Cardinals & Giants) (best in 1979 & 1990)

7.  4729 - 62 John Riggins (Jets & Redskins)

8.  8172 - 62 Curt Warner (Seahawks)

9.  2368 - 13 Bo Jackson (Raiders)

10. 7178 - 47 Billy Sims (Lions)

Best of the Rest: Freeman McNeil (Jets), Gerald Riggs (Falcons), Rueben Mayes (Saints). Franco Harris, Chuck Muncie, and Earl Campbell finished their careers in the 80’s, but did most of their damage in the 70’s.

13582 - 61 Herschel Walker (combined 1980’s USFL & NFL yards)

6536 - 38 Herschel Walker (1980’s NFL yards)

As usual, Herschel Walker was left out of the conversation. Walker’s NFL yards in the 80’s bettered Riggins and Jackson, and his NFL touchdowns bettered Bo’s as well. If you add his USFL totals, Herschel gained more yards than anyone else in the 1980’s. At the very least, he certainly merited a mention. Herschel never played in the Super Bowl. This surely held him back. Of the ten who made the list, six of the top seven played (and won) the Super Bowl.

The NFL has recognized the time Steve Young, Jim Kelly, and Reggie White spent in the USFL, but not Walker. Why is this?