Herschel > Ottis

If Ottis Anderson’s NFL career deserves consideration for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame, then Herschel Walker deserves so even more. “Experts” look at Herschel’s 8225 NFL rushing yards, but look no further. Walker was one of the NFL’s first great multi-purpose pass catching backs, lining up at tailback, fullback, wide receiver, flanker, slot back, and tight end - unlike most every other elite back in the 80’s and 90’s.

Playing two fewer seasons, Walker only gained 251 fewer yards from scrimmage (rushing + receiving) than Ottis Anderson. Herschel caught 136 more passes (36.2% more), for 1797 more yards (59% more), and 16 more receiving touchdowns.  Anderson’s longest run was 76 yards, Herschel’s 91. Ottis’ long reception was 57 yards, compared to Walker’s 93. Herschel fumbled 15 fewer times. Both went to two Pro Bowls.

yr.games.rush.TD.long.avg

14 182 10273  81   76  4.0 Ottis

12 187 08225  61   91  4.2 Herschel

rec.rec yd.avg.TD.long.yd scrim.TD.fumbles

376 3062  8.1  05   57 13335      86  56 Ottis

512 4859  9.5  21   93 13084      82  41 Herschel

Even if you consider Anderson and Walker’s NFL career as rushers and receivers to be equal, Herschel also gained 5084 yards returning kicks. Herschel had returns of 94, 93, and 89 yards. Ottis never returned a kick.

NFL all purpose yards

13335 Ottis

18168 Herschel

Also hurting Herschel’s candidacy: he played on lousy teams. Did any of his teams make the playoffs? Of the two, which is more worth of consideration for induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame?

Herschel returned kickoffs and covered kickoffs and punts on special teams. Devin Hester may be considered for induction because of his kickoff return performance. Steve Tasker is considered because of his special teams ability. Fullbacks Alstott (7372 tot yds) and Daryl Johnson (2980 tot yds) are considered. Larry Centers had a long career. Walker is rarely given serious PFHOF consideration, because he didn't specialize on just one aspect of the game (his politics don't help). Herschel was used in so many different ways. Other running backs with more rushing yards were named to the Pro Bowl and All Pro, though Walker had comparable yards rushing + receiving.

Devin Hester gained 14455 combined NFL yards – over 3500 less than Walker. Herschel’s kickoff return stats aren’t too far behind Hester’s.

yr.RET.yds.TD.avg..rec..yds..TD.tot TD.APYds

11 295 7333 5 24.9 255 3311 11  22 14455 Hester

12 215 5084 2 23.6 512 5859 12  84 18168 Herschel

Eric Dickerson played 11 seasons of pro football, from 1983-1993. While Dickerson was rushing for more yards (thus earning more Pro Bowl and All Pro nods), Herschel gained more total yards in 8 of those 11 seasons (including 6 of 8 NFL seasons 86-93). Walker gained another 5137 yards after Dickerson retired.

..ED...HW r+r..YR..HW APY

05816 07046 83-85 07105

07033 06537 86-89 06911

02537 04818 90-93 06120

00000 01729 94-97 05137

15386 20130  total  25273

15386 13084  NFL  18178

In 1988 Dickerson added 377 receiving yards to his rushing total, for 2036 all purpose yards. Herschel had 505 receiving yards, giving him 2019. Dickerson made first team All Pro, Herschel second team. Details like this are often overlooked by the Pro Football Hall of Fame electors.