Washington Football Team have always had a strong emphasis on the running game. Running backs have been an integral element of every successful Washington Football Team squad since the franchise’s inception in the 1950s through the 1980s when Washington made three trips to the Super Bowl.

Washington Football Team Greatest Running Backs In History

The following is a ranking of the top 5 running backs in the history of the Washington Football Team.

1. John Riggins

It’s no surprise that John Riggins is at the top of this list. In 1976, Riggins signed with the Redskins after making his first Pro Bowl with the Jets the year before. Because of his outgoing demeanor and outstanding skills on the field, he would quickly become a fan favorite. Riggins played in just 19 games and scored three touchdowns in the nation’s capital during his first two years.
A career-best 1,014 yards and five touchdowns in 1978 set him apart.

2. Clinton Portis

Since 2004, he has been an integral part of the Redskins’ roster.. To make room for All-Pro cornerback Champ Bailey, Portis was sent to Washington after two seasons in Denver. Portis rushed for 1,591 yards and 14 touchdowns in his second season.

3. Larry Brown

Brown’s greatest season may have come in 1972. He was the league’s top rusher, averaging 101.3 yards per game on his way to 1,216 yards and eight TDs. As a result, Brown was selected to the All-Pro First Team and was voted the league MVP. Brown spent all eight of his NFL seasons with the Redskins, where he became a pillar of the team’s history.

4. Stephen Davis

For the first time in the franchise’s history, he surpassed the previous season’s rushing yard record twice. With Washington, he was nominated for two Pro Bowls and received All-Pro consideration in 1999. Washington drafted Davis in the fourth round of the 1996 draft, but he quickly exceeded expectations. With Washington, Davis would have three 1,000-yard running seasons and two appearances in the Pro Bowl over his seven-year career.

8. Terry Allen

one of the greatest free-agent acquisitions in franchise history. Allen had two seasons of over 1,300 running yards with Washington, and he was selected to his only Pro Bowl. With an ACL rupture that sidelined him in 1993, he returned to lead the Minnesota Vikings’ rushing attack in 1994 and carried for more than 1,000 yards on his inexpensive, ninth-round contract despite his absence.