Seattle Seahawks: 15 best running backs in franchise history

Number 5: Only four Seahawks caught more passes than this bruising runner

So, 12s, just how is it possible that the guy who’s sixth all-time in rushing yardage for the Seahawks was never the number one back in any season? That really only happens when you’re a fullback – and John L. Williams was one of the best to ever play. I suppose this is good a time as any to mention that the guy ahead of Williams isn’t even a running back. That’s right, DangeRuss himself is fifth in rushing for Seattle.

But we’re here to talk about the Seahawks best running backs of all time, not the guys who made their living throwing the ball. We’ve already covered that – although the way Geno Smith is playing, some revisions may be in order in a couple more years. No, we’re here, good 12s, to talk about the John Williams. His career yards from scrimmage came in at 9,662. Yes, he was plenty good out of the backfield, too.

In his eight years with Seattle, he ran for 4,759 yards and picked up another 4,151 receiving. By the way, his receiving yards not only top the list for all Hawks running backs, but place him eighth among all receivers. His 471 catches rank him fifth all-time. You could win a lot of bets by asking who caught more balls for Seattle, Williams, or say, Bobby Engram. When he retired, only Steve Largent had more catches than the Hawks fullback.

Yet that position was his true claim to fame for Seattle. As I wrote earlier, as the Seahawks fullback, his primary job was to block for his teammate in the backfield. He began his career opening holes for the man who’s second on my list, led the way for Derrick Fenner, and hammered open gaps for the next man on my list. Williams even led the Hawks in rushing in 1991 when Fenner went down, earning his second straight Pro Bowl nod. He was a devastating blocker and an absolutely selfless player.