March 29, 2013

Rookie of the Year: Chuck Foreman, 1973

Running Back, Minnesota Vikings



Age: 23 (Oct. 26)
College: Miami (Florida)
Height: 6’2”   Weight: 206

Prelude:
Seeking an upgrade at running back, the Vikings took Foreman in the first round of the 1973 NFL draft (12th overall). In college, he had played in the defensive backfield and at wide receiver as well as running back and excelled, setting school records for total yards, scoring, touchdowns, and kickoff return yards.

1973 Season Summary
Appeared in 12 of 14 games
[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Rushing
Attempts – 182 [19, tied with Emerson Boozer]
Most attempts, game - 23 (for 86 yds.) vs. LA Rams 10/28
Yards – 801 [18]
Most yards, game – 116 yards (on 16 carries) at Chicago 9/23
Average gain – 4.4 [15]
TDs – 4
100-yard rushing games – 3

Pass Receiving
Receptions – 37      
Most receptions, game – 6 (for 53 yds.) vs. Oakland 9/16
Yards – 362
Most yards, game - 62 (on 5 catches) vs. Green Bay 9/30
Average gain – 9.8
TDs – 2

Scoring
TDs – 6
Points – 36

Postseason: 3 G
Rushing attempts – 37
Most rushing attempts, game - 19 at Dallas, NFC Championship
Rushing yards – 134
Most rushing yards, game - 76 at Dallas, NFC Championship
Average gain rushing – 3.6
Rushing TDs – 1

Pass receptions – 12
Most pass receptions, game - 5 vs. Miami, Super Bowl
Pass receiving yards - 78
Most pass receiving yards, game - 28 at Dallas, NFC Championship
Average yards per reception – 6.5
Pass Receiving TDs - 0

Awards & Honors:
NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year: AP, PFWA
NFC Rookie of the Year: NEA, Sporting News
Pro Bowl

Vikings went 12-2 to finish first in the NFC Central. Won NFC Divisional playoff over Washington Redskins (27-20) and NFC Championship over Dallas Cowboys (27-10). Lost Super Bowl to Miami Dolphins (24-7).

Aftermath:
Foreman was selected to the Pro Bowl in each of his first five seasons and received first- or second-team All-NFL honors every year from 1974 to ’77. Outstanding as a receiver out of the backfield as well as a ball carrier, Foreman totaled over a thousand yards from scrimmage in each of his first six years and had over a thousand yards in rushing alone for three straight seasons (1975-77). He led the NFL in pass receptions (73) and NFC in touchdowns (22) in 1975, and was league leader in TDs in 1974 and ‘76. His productivity dropped significantly after 1977 and he finished his career with the New England Patriots in 1980. Overall, Foreman rushed for 5950 yards on 1556 carries (3.8 avg.), caught 350 passes for 3156 more yards, and scored a total of 76 TDs. 

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Rookie of the Year Profiles feature players who were named Rookie of the Year in the NFL, AFL (1960-69), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press – Offense or Defense, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, or the league itself – Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year). 

[Updated 2/4/14]