Greatest All-time Runningback

Ok so I read over at Fanhuddle.com an article by a very biased Dallas Cowboys fan claiming hands down that Emmitt Smith was by far the greatest running back of all time. I know this debate can go on forever and can includes lots of names but in my book there is only three I consider in this debate: Walter Payton, Emmitt Smith and Barry Sanders.

I'm excluding Jim Brown, Gayle Sayers among others cause in my opinion these 3 are the best.

I'm also going to admit I'm a huge Bears fan but I'm trying to keep this unbiased but if you feel I'm leaning towards Payton at least you know why. To be honest I don't feel there is just one answer. That is the best part about football through all the Eras and how everything changes there can always be a debate.

Walter Payton

13 years. Rushing 16,726 yards on 3,828 attempts averaging 4.4 yards a carry with 110 touchdowns. Receiving 4,538 yards on 492 catches averaging 9.2 yards a catch with 15 touchdowns. Passing 11 of 34 for 331 yards and 8 touchdowns. The NFL did not keep track of fumbles during his career, they didn't start till 1991.

Won 1 Super Bowl title. 10 - 1,000 yard rushing seasons. Missed only one game during his career, back in his rookie season, playing in 191 games. Has his number 34 retired with the Bears. 1 League MVP, 9 Pro-bowls, 1 Pro bowl MVP, 6 First-team and 3 Second-team All-Pro Selections. Known for his tremendous blocking.Spent his entire career with the Chicago Bears.

Emmitt Smith

15 years. Rushing 18,355 yards on 4,409 carries averaging 4.2 yards a carry with 164 touchdowns. Receiving 3,224 yards on 515 catches averaging 6.3 yards a catch with 11 touchdowns. Passed once for one touchdown. Fumbled 54 times losing 25 of them.

Won 3 Super Bowl titles. 11- 1,000 yard rushing seasons. Missed 12 out of a possible 240 games during his career. 1 League MVP, Rookie of the Year, 1 Super Bowl MVP, 8 Pro-bowls, 4 First-team and 1 Second-team All-Pro Selections. Is in the Cowboys' ring of Honor(Their equal to retired Jerseys). Holds career rushing record, rushing touchdown record as well as most 100 yard rushing games for the NFL. Played 12 years with the Dallas Cowboys and 3 with the Arizona Cardinals.

Barry Sanders

10 years. Rushing 15,269 yards on 3,062 carries averaging 5 yards a carry with 99 touchdowns. Receiving 2,921 yards on 352 catches averaging 8.3 yards a catch with 10 touchdowns. Passing 1 of 4 for 11 yards. Fumbled 27 times losing 13 of them.

10 - 1,000 yard rushing seasons. Missed 7 out of a possible 160 games during his career. Rookie of the Year, Co-MVP, 10 Pro-Bowl selections, 6 First-team and 4 Second-team All-Pro selections. Also had a 2,000 yard rushing season which only 6 players have ever done. Sadly he played on losing teams in Detroit and never even made it to a Super Bowl.

So what does everyone think? Who is the best?