Marshall Faulk Retires from the NFL

One of the most dynamic running backs in pro football history has officially retired from the game. Marshall Faulk, 34, had sat out the entire 2006 season because of a knee injury, leaves the game after 13 seasons in the league. Faulk, who spent his last eight seasons with the St. Louis Rams, ranks ninth on the all-time rushing list.

Faulk's career got off to a great start when he was drafted by the Indianapolis Colts in 1994. He won Offensive Rookie of the Year after leading all rookies in rushing with 1,282 yards with eleven touchdowns. The next year, a toe injury prevented him from following up a nice rookie campaign as he ended up having a very low three yards per carry average.

Faulk would rebound after that season rushing for over 1,000 yards in each of the next three years. Faulk also had established himself as receiving threat and eventually this led him to finishing first in the league in all-purpose yardage in 1998. Many fans did take note of his offensive talent, but this did not stop the Colts from trading him the following season to the St. Louis Rams.

It was in St. Louis that Marshall Faulk become the biggest offensive threat in pro football. In that 1999 season, the Rams finished the campaign with a Super Bowl win over the Tennessee Titans. Faulk had also set the record for the most all-purpose yards in a season with 2,429 which broke the old mark set by Barry Sanders in 1997. Faulk's play that year earned him the Offensive Player of the Year by the NFL. In that Super Bowl win, Faulk was contained by the Titans on the ground as he finished with just 17 total rushing yards. But he caught five passes for 90 yards as the Rams had been able to successfully move the ball in the air. "The Greatest Show On Turf" had arrived, and Faulk was the biggest weapon in that St. Louis offense.

Faulk followed up that 1999 campaign with winning the NFL MVP award. The Rams made the playoffs that year, but lost in the first round to the Saints. In 2001, Faulk had finished off a three year run that many consider the greatest three years in NFL history. He amassed over 6,700 all-purpose yards over that span. Faulk's career would tail off a bit after an injury-plagued 2002 season. But he continued to set records, and is currently second all-time in total receptions by a running back with 765 total catches.

In July of 2006, Faulk had to undergo reconstructive knee surgery, and miss the entire 2006 season. After much deliberating, Faulk finally announced his retirement from the game after a very productive career. Faulk had seen running back and teammate Stephen Jackson become a bigger factor in the offense for the Rams as he became the focal point.

Faulk finishes his career ranked fourth all-time in all-purpose yards, and his 6,875 receiving yards are the most ever for a running back. Faulk spent the 2006 season working as an analyst for the NFL Network. He will continue his role on the NFL Network after retiring from the game of football. Faulk's ability on the field gave fans and media a look at the new and innovative offense around the league. Many teams went on to copy the Rams' offense, with only the Kansas City Chiefs having a Priest Holmes to be able to move the ball at will on defenses.

Faulk will have his named called to the Pro Football Hall of Fame when eligible. He was the most dynamic running back in his era, and his numerous awards and accolades are more than enough proof of him deserving to get in.

Source: Associated Press and Wikipedia.com