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.
--
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]
[Updated 2/4/14]
