The Mount Everest of Rushing: How O.J. Simpson's 1973 Season Changed Football History

The 2,000-Yard Milestone: O.J. Simpson Redefines the NFL Running Back

On December 16, 1973, O.J. Simpson of the Buffalo Bills achieved one of the most significant and elusive milestones in American Football history: he became the first player to rush for 2,000 yards in a single NFL season.

Simpson, nicknamed "The Juice," needed 61 yards in the final game against the New York Jets to break Jim Brown's previous record of 1,863 yards. In front of a raucous home crowd in Buffalo and battling the typical harsh December weather, Simpson didn't just break the record—he shattered it, finishing the game with 200 yards and ending his spectacular season with 2,0003 rushing yards.

Why It Matters

• The Impossible Barrier: The 2,000-yard mark was considered the 'Mount Everest' of rushing records. No one had ever reached it in the NFL's 14-game regular season format. To put this in perspective, only eight other players have achieved this feat since, even with the modern 16- and 17-game schedules.

• A Rushing Revolution: Simpson’s performance was the pinnacle of a dominant running back era. His explosive speed and lateral quickness proved that one player could single-handedly carry an offense, making him the most valuable and electrifying player in the league that year.

• The MVP Season: His dominance earned him the Associated Press NFL Most Valuable Player Award for the 1973 season by a unanimous vote—a testament to the historical impact of his record-breaking year.

The achievement remains a hallowed benchmark in the NFL, representing a rare combination of endurance, speed, and consistent performance that few have ever matched.