Washington Redskins: 15 greatest running backs in franchise history

In the franchise history of the Redskins, only three players have won the Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player award. Mark Moseley, a kicker, won the award in the strike-shortened 1982 NFL season. Joe Theismann, a quarterback, is perhaps just one of two legitimate award winners in Redskins history, as he won a year later in 1983.

The first Redskins player to win the award and the other legitimate winner? Running back Larry Brown.

Brown, drafted in the eighth round of the 1969 NFL Draft, wasn’t supposed to be an MVP. He was almost completely deaf in one ear and he’d only enjoyed a modest collegiate career at Kansas State, accruing 684 total rushing yards over two seasons.

Despite his underwhelming foundation, Brown was first awarded a chance when Vince Lombardi came to D.C. and saw something in the former Wildcat. He gave Brown an earpiece to help him better time his acceleration with the snap count and gave him the opportunity of a premier back. Brown took it and ran with it. Pun intended.

Throughout his eight-year career with the Redskins, Brown made four Pro Bowls and earned two All-Pro bids. He eclipsed 1,000 yards twice, once in 1970, when he scored five touchdowns and once in 1972, when he earned eight touchdowns and an MVP award, averaging over 100 yards per game.

Brown’s career numbers aren’t as monumental as other Redskins backs ranked behind him, but for one NFL season, Brown was the best player in the league. Better than everyone else. No one on this list can say the same, although the next and final player… can make that case.