What is a Running back? Why are they so Important to the Game of Football?

A running back is one of the most important positions in the game of football. They are the players who are responsible for carrying the ball and running with it down the field. They are also responsible for blocking and protecting the quarterback. Running backs are essential to the success of a team, as they can make or break a game. This essay will discuss what a running back is, why they are so important to the game of football, and how they can impact a team’s success.

What is a Running Back?

A running back is a position in American football that is responsible for carrying the ball and running with it down the field. They are usually the fastest players on the team and have great agility and strength. Running backs must be able to make quick decisions and have good vision to find open lanes and avoid defenders. They must also be able to block and protect the quarterback from oncoming defenders.

Why are Running Backs Important?

Running backs are important to the game of football because they are responsible for carrying the ball down the field and scoring points for their team. They must be able to make quick decisions and have good vision to find open lanes and avoid defenders. They must also be able to block and protect the quarterback from oncoming defenders. Running backs are also important because they can create mismatches with opposing defenses, which can lead to big plays and touchdowns.

How Can Running Backs Impact a Team’s Success?

Running backs can have a huge impact on a team’s success. A good running back can help a team control the clock, keep drives alive, and score points. A great running back can take over a game and be the difference between winning and losing. A great running back can also help open up the passing game by forcing opposing defenses to focus on stopping the run.

What Makes a Great Running Back?

A great running back must have speed, agility, strength, and vision. They must be able to make quick decisions and have good vision to find open lanes and avoid defenders. They must also be able to block and protect the quarterback from oncoming defenders. A great running back must also have good hands and be able to catch passes out of the backfield.

What Are Some of the Best Running Backs in NFL History?

Some of the best running backs in NFL history include Jim Brown, Walter Payton, Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith, Adrian Peterson, and LaDainian Tomlinson. These players all had great speed, agility, strength, and vision. They were all able to make quick decisions and find open lanes while avoiding defenders. They were also able to block and protect their quarterbacks from oncoming defenders.

What Are Some of the Best Current Running Backs in the NFL?

Some of the best current running backs in the NFL include Saquon Barkley, Ezekiel Elliott, Derrick Henry, Alvin Kamara, Christian McCaffrey, and Dalvin Cook. These players all have great speed, agility, strength, and vision. They are all able to make quick decisions and find open lanes while avoiding defenders. They are also able to block and protect their quarterbacks from oncoming defenders.


In conclusion, running backs are one of the most important positions in football. They are responsible for carrying the ball down the field and scoring points for their team. They must have speed, agility, strength, and vision in order to be successful. Great running backs can take over a game and be the difference between winning and losing. Jim Brown, Walter Payton, Barry Sanders, Emmitt Smith, Adrian Peterson, LaDainian Tomlinson, Saquon Barkley, Ezekiel Elliott, Derrick Henry, Alvin Kamara, Christian McCaffrey, and Dalvin Cook are some of the best running backs in NFL history and today.