8 best Minnesota Vikings running backs after their first 3 years
By Tim Arcand
2. Chuck Foreman (1973 – 1975)
- 39 games
- 661 carries
- 2,648 rushing yards
- 4,287 yards from scrimmage
- 43 touchdowns
Chuck Foreman ranks third in career rushing yards for the Vikings with 5,887 yards. He played seven of his eight seasons in the NFL with Minnesota and 44.9 percent of those yards with the Vikings came in his first three seasons.
A first-round draft pick in 1973, Foreman made an immediate impact as a rookie, leading the team with 801 rushing yards and finishing second with 362 receiving yards as Minnesota finished the regular season with a 12-2 record on their way to a second Super Bowl loss.
A member of the Vikings Ring of Honor, Foreman was named to the Pro Bowl in each of his first five seasons. Foreman was most effective in the open field where he made a lot of defenders look foolish in attempting to make a tackle.
An equally effective receiver as a runner, he averaged 1,429 total yards from scrimmage in his first three seasons. In this ranking, Foreman leads with 1,639 receiving yards, 17 receiving touchdowns, and 43 total touchdowns while he ranks second with 4,287 total yards from scrimmage.
His second season resulted in another trip to the Super Bowl, and another loss. While his rushing yards dropped slightly, his receptions and receiving yards increased as he led the team with 1,363 yards from scrimmage, rushing touchdowns with nine, and receiving touchdowns with six.
His best season came in 1975 when he rushed for 1,070 yards with 13 touchdowns and he led the Vikings and NFL with 73 receptions while scoring on another nine touchdown passes. Again, he led the team with 1,761 total yards from scrimmage. He was recognized for his efforts by being named a First-Team All-Pro.
Despite finishing with a 12-2 record, the season was cut short in the playoffs with the infamous and controversial Hail Mary play that resulted in a 17-14 loss to the Dallas Cowboys at Metropolitan Stadium.