It's a shame that he played for a team that was second best in the NFL in 1978 and 1979 to one of the best teams ever put together.
Look, I love Earl and I loved the Oilers. I haven't watched much football since they left Houston. But it's just silly to call a team that never even made it to the Super Bowl, much less win it, one of the best ever put together. If the Oilers had been able to play a more balanced offense, if they hadn't had to ride Earl so hard, they would have at least made it to the Super Bowl, and Earl would have added years to his career.
wait...it is entirely conceivable that the 2nd greatest team of all time (and i'm not saying the oilers were that) could have been "born" in an era where the greatest team of all time was playing and beat them. i think that oilers team was absolutely, undeniably...great. super bowl or not. they were beaten by a team that was greater. as for earl...you can measure athletes on greatness in any one period of time...or over longevity. within the time where he was playing at his best, no one did it better.
What I said was the Oilers were the 2nd best team in 1978 and 1979 TO one of the best teams ever put together (i.e. the Steelers)
Big Earl is the greatest football player I've ever seen to this day. I remember he used to look so physically BEAT after every run. He would lay on the turf for a second, slowly get up and proceed to run over (or by) someone all over again on the very next play. I was 8 years old during his prime, so as far as I was concerned, he was Superman. I had posters, lunchkit, signature Pony shoes, t-shirts, hats, signature footballs, 45-single of the song "Big Earl" (sung to the tune of Big John) ANYTHING with Earl on it, I had it. As far as those Oiler teams were concerned, they WERE the 2nd best team in the league for 2 years. It just so happened that one of the greatest teams in NFL history happened to play in our division, so we don't even had a division title to show for those years. ****BTW, I got a text last week from my boddy in Austin saying he saw him at a local bar. I know he's in a wheelchair now. Question to Austin residents: Is he seen in the public eye out there a lot?****
Got it. I misunderstood what you wrote. I agree the Oilers were the 2nd best team in the NFL in '78 and '79.
Those poor poor linebackers. I wonder how many broken ribs and sternums he caused. There hasn't been anyone like him since. The only shame of it is what it's done to him today. He is in pretty bad shape.
If only they had a QB other than Dan Passed-to-the-wrong-team-orini... Personally, I think the Oilers and Bum Phillips are partly to blame for the condition that Campbell is in right now. There is no way any sane NFL team would keep a QB as bad as Pastorini around for as long as they did, other than as an excuse to keep giving it to Earl on every possession and run his career into the ground.
I am not and was not an Oiler fan -- but I loved watching Earl Campbell. There was nothing about him not to like -- unless he was pounding away on your team! An unmatched combination of speed, power and class.
My dad used to own a sports bar and Earl came in a few times. Earl had 34-inch thighs. I mean.. EACH THIGH was 34 inches around. My waist is 34 inches around. Earl was a powerhouse. There were other players in history that were faster...smarter.... had better moves.. had better field vision.... But nobody had more brute force than Earl. Wow! I was sad to read this!
I watched that game as well. I just wish I had it on DVD. One of the best regular season games in NFL history, if not the best... and perhaps it was. Regardless, an inhuman performance by Earl. One for the ages.
from two weeks ago... http://www.kansascity.com/sports/story/177532.html Former NFL great Earl Campbell struggling Posted on Wed, Jul. 04, 2007 Few can forget the image: Hall of Famer Earl Campbell bowling over a would-be tackler with those powder-blue pom-poms waving in the Houston Astrodome. But as Campbell attended a recent banquet of the Heisman Winners Association in Austin, Texas, it was a shock to look at him get out of the sleek black Mercedes that whipped into valet parking. Left foot first, then right. Then grab the walker in both hands and shuffle toward the door. When he’s tired, an assistant is nearby with a wheelchair. He insists his ailments are more likely the result of bad genetics than football. In eight NFL seasons, he missed only six games. His friends aren’t so sure. They remember the human battering ram who carried the ball more than 300 times in five of his first six seasons. “That was the biggest, baddest big man running I ever saw,” said Tony Dorsett. “But it doesn’t matter how big and strong you are. Over a period of time, the game wins.” Archie Griffin, another Heisman winner, said: “He’s an example of what can happen playing that game. When I look back on it, you’re thankful you didn’t carry it 30 times a game.” Campbell, 52, prefers not to talk about his condition. Yet he’s sharply critical of the NFL for not doing enough to help its older players who are struggling — though he doesn’t include himself in that group A long-standing contract with the University of Texas as a special assistant pays him a salary and covers his health insurance. His wife handled his money, he says: “That’s why we’ve still got something.” But … . “They need to do more for ex-athletes.” Gene Upshaw … “(He) should be ashamed,” Campbell said. “He played the game and he knows.” | The Associated Press
the oilers use to do training camp in my home town for a brief period. My brother was a ball boy and he has a pair of earl's cleats and sweats. Freaking brother had it made.
earl is my favorite football player ever and it's not even close. i used to love watching his physical style, but when i see the obvious toll it has taken on him, i feel ambivelant and confused. i don't blame bum or the coaching staff. earl wanted to win and it was his choice to take the punishment. good luck earl, you were the best.
He looked pretty good here. <object width="425" height="350"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/4qJm3CpbV9c"></param><param name="wmode" value="transparent"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/4qJm3CpbV9c" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" wmode="transparent" width="425" height="350"></embed></object>
I'm playing a season of TSB on my emulator with the Oilers right now. Haven't selected a running play yet through five games...
I saw him in the latest SI's Leading Off - Heisman Trophy Winners photo, and he's the only one sitting down... it's a shame and I felt sad... Enough chit chat. MORE EARL CAMPBELL VIDEOS, PLEASE!!!
