Houston Sports: The ten best athletes to ever represent the city of Houston

Earl Campbell

The most recognizable Houston Sports football player of all-time, Campbell was a power runner that just bowled people over and was the inspiration for the “Luv Ya’ Blue” fan movement that included this fight song (It’s basically the Houston Oiler version of “Go Cubs Go.” Very cheesy but fun.)

One of the greatest running backs to ever play the game, Campbell put not just Houston football, but Houston sports on the map. In each of his first three seasons in the league he won offensive player of the year, rushing for 5,081 yards in that span.

That includes his third season when he won the MVP award, rushing for 1,934 yards and 13 touchdowns.  Those 13 touchdowns brought his opening three years in the league scoring total to 45 by the way.

While he really only had a couple more effective seasons after that (the sadly short shelf life of a running back) he was still inducted into the NFL Hall of Fame and voted by NFL Network to be the number three “Power Back” of all-time behind Jim Brown and John Riggins.

He spent the final year and a half of his career as a New Orleans Saint, but no other player comes to mind quicker when the Houston Oilers are mentioned than Earl Campbell. He was the best player in franchise history and that includes anyone who’s played with the team since they’ve become the Tennessee Titans. Campbell was without a doubt the very first superstar Houston sports ever had.