On December 16, 1973, during the final game of the regular season, Buffalo Bills running back O.J. Simpson made NFL history by becoming the first player to rush for over 2,000 yards in a single season. In a game against the New York Jets at Shea Stadium, Simpson rushed for 200 yards, bringing his season total to 2,003 yards. ?Wikipedia

Achieving this milestone in a 14-game season, Simpson’s average of 143.1 rushing yards per game remains an NFL record. His performance not only surpassed the previous single-season rushing record held by Jim Brown (1,863 yards in 1963) but also set a new standard for running backs in the league.?

Simpson’s remarkable season earned him the NFL Most Valuable Player (MVP) award in 1973. His achievement paved the way for future running backs, with only a select few joining the exclusive “2,000-yard club” since then.?