NFL All-Time RB Rank No. 21: Leroy Kelly

Ranking the top 25 running backs in NFL history…

21. Leroy Kelly

Drafted in the eighth round (110th overall) by the Cleveland Browns in the 1964 NFL Draft out of Morgan State University, Leroy Kelly emerged as a versatile back after backing up Jim Brown initially.

He spent his entire NFL career with the Browns (1964-1973), later playing one season in the World Football League in 1974.

Taking over as starter in 1966, Kelly rushed for over 1,000 yards in three consecutive seasons (1966-1968), leading the NFL in rushing yards in 1967 (1,205) and 1968 (1,239), and in touchdowns those years.

In 1966, he paced the league with a 5.5 yards-per-carry average, 1,507 total yards, 15 rushing touchdowns and 16 total scores, finishing second in rushing to Gale Sayers. He also led in punt returns in 1965 and the AFC in 1971. In 1968, he set Browns records with touchdowns in 12 games and multiple scores in seven.

His top accomplishments include five All-NFL selections, six Pro Bowl nods and a Pro Football Hall of Fame induction (1994). He held the active career rushing record from 1970 until retirement.

His career totals feature 7,274 rushing yards on 1,727 attempts (4.2 average), 74 rushing touchdowns, 190 receptions for 2,281 yards and 13 touchdowns, plus 12,330 all-purpose yards and 90 total scores.

Kelly’s playing style was shifty and explosive. He was effective as a runner, receiver and returner (10.5 yards per punt return average), reshaping kick return strategies.

But who ranks ahead of Kelly at No. 20 all-time?