Arrowhead History: Most Rushing Yards
The New Arrowhead Stadium will debut at the end of August when the Chiefs host Philadelphia in a pre-season game. After 38 seasons of Chiefs home games, the building has been updated with 21st Century amenities.
Remaining within the stadium shell are memories of the hundreds of games that have been played there since the summer of 1972. Within those games have been some memorable performances by members of the Chiefs and the visiting teams that will be featured over the next weeks leading up to the opening of the new Arrowhead.
Today, it’s the best single-game rushing performances in Arrowhead Stadium history.
Best Rushing Performances in Arrowhead Stadium (1972-2009)
| Player | Team |
Date |
Attempts |
Yards |
Avg. |
| Jerome Harrison | Cleveland |
12/20/09 |
34 |
286 |
8.4 |
| Larry Johnson | Chiefs |
1/1/06 |
26 |
201 |
7.7 |
| Barry Word | Chiefs |
10/14/90 |
18 |
200 |
11.1 |
| Larry Johnson | Chiefs |
9/28/08 |
28 |
198 |
7.1 |
| Gerald Riggs | Atlanta |
12/08/85 |
26 |
197 |
7.6 |
| Joe Delaney | Chiefs |
11/15/81 |
29 |
193 |
6.7 |
| Joe Cribbs | Buffalo |
12/4/83 |
36 |
185 |
5.1 |
| Freeman McNeil | N.Y. Jets |
11/15/87 |
26 |
184 |
7.1 |
| Earl Campbell | Houston |
10/12/80 |
38 |
178 |
4.7 |
| LaDainianTomlinson | San Diego |
12/2/07 |
23 |
177 |
7.7 |
| Priest Holmes | Chiefs |
1/11/04* |
24 |
176 |
7.3 |
| Marion Butts | San Diego |
12/17/89 |
39 |
176 |
4.5 |
| DeShaun Foster | Carolina |
9/19/04 |
32 |
174 |
5.4 |
| Christian Okoye | Chiefs |
10/22/89 |
33 |
170 |
5.2 |
| Chris Johnson | Tennessee |
10/19/08 |
18 |
168 |
9.3 |
| Natrone Means | San Diego |
9/20/98 |
22 |
165 |
7.5 |
| Darren McFadden | Oakland |
9/14/08 |
21 |
164 |
7.8 |
| Larry Johnson | Chiefs |
11/23/06 |
34 |
157 |
4.6 |
| Tony Richardson | Chiefs |
12/17/00 |
23 |
156 |
6.8 |
| Larry Johnson | Chiefs |
10/29/06 |
39 |
155 |
4.0 |
| Billy Sims | Detroit |
10/26/80 |
28 |
155 |
5.5 |
*-2003 AFC Divisional Playoff Game
I’m absolutely stunned Priest Holmes is not on this list.
ME 2!!! and lj 4 times. huh
In fact, Priest’s highest number came in Seattle back in 2002 — November 24th, to be exact. He ran for 197 yards that time.
I think Priest misses the list b/c it’s only rushing yards. I’m sure Priest makes the list of all purpose yards and most TDs in a game.
Did anyone else notice that there was only one rusher in the 90′s to be on this list? That’s something about our defense during that fun decade.
keep in mind that alot of the running priest did was after catching a screen or dump off! i was suprised too! our rush defense in 08 & 09 sucked big time!and yes drew i noticed that about the 90′s.
@Drew:
Coincidentally, ’98 was Marty’s worst season in KC.
Barry Word 11.1 avg! That’s got to be some kind of record in itself.
That Jerome Harrison stat still kills me. No way should a guy like that be at the top of a list like this. Harrison may turn out to star for the Browns, but it was still putrid. That game was one of the lowest of many low points last season, and it’s memory is one of the reasons so many of us are concerned about the lack of player acquisition on the DL mostly, but maybe also linebacker.
I know we’ve gone over it ad naseum-the young guys in the front seven have to develop and step up, and the schemes and techniques have to be improved. The Chiefs (and their fans) are seated squarely at the gaming table in the casino, and the bet is on. We definitely need a lucky 7.
I’m suprised there are no older players on the list like Wendall Hayes or Ed Podolak (one of my all-time favorites). I guess Podolak was another one who got a lot of all-purpose yards.
I can’t believe there are no donkey rushers on that list! Plug in the runner and get 100′s of yards. McFadden? It’s a good thing there’s only him for the faders! We have only 8 of the top 20 spots? Geez. At least in the last 2 decades there are only 5 visiting teams here! ‘Course there are only 6 Chiefs too………….
Jamal Charles just missed the cut: 154 yds vs. CLE in week 15 last season, 143 vs BUF in week 14. I’m sure he’ll make the list next year.
His 259 yds @ Mile High would rank 2nd here though.
“I’m absolutely stunned Priest Holmes is not on this list.”
Ditto!
Remember, that for Priest Holmes’ best 2 years rushing, he was only playing in the 1st half of most games. Coach Vermeil was limiting his carries to make sure he was still healthy come playoff time. At the same time, the Chiefs were playing their best passing offense in years. Behind Trent Green, Willie Roaf, and Will Shields.
If Priest had played 60 minutes in those years his records would be amazing. In one game only, the Atlanta game (can’t remember the year), he scored 4 touchdowns in less than 2 quarters. His backup (Derrick something) scored another 4 touchdowns in the 2nd half.
One of these 2 years, was the year he broke the NFL record for rushing TD’s, playing only half of each game!!
[...] Arrowhead History: Most Rushing Yards-BobGretz.com [...]
HOW CAN CHARLES NOT BE ON THIS LIST. He ran for over 200yards in the last game against Denver last year.
@gregg fletcher
These are performances registered in Arrowhead Stadium.
Hi Bob, Here is a quote from Coach Vermeil regarding David’s call on Larry Johnson.
“You did it again Predictor!” Coach Dick Vermeil on the success of Larry Johnson. David speaking with coach explained how Larry has huge success ahead and to push away trade offers for Larry.
I would like to see if you could do a piece on him sometime.
His site is https://www.predictor8.com
Ralph, I think the year was 04′ when the Chiefs had 8 rushingtd’s. And it was Derrick Blaylock who had the other 4. I disagree about Vermiel only playing him half the game. Priest was always in, until he broke one off, then blaylock would come in to give priest a breather. Atlanta’s run d just could not handle Chiefs o-line. I probably could have rushed for 4 td’s.Plus you had Dante alwAys getting them good field position. Man I miss those days.
I’ll never forget when Kimble Anders put up 142 yards against the Donkeys in 1999. It looked like we were going to have our Gunther era running back. If I remember right, he hurt his achilles. What a day. Kimble would have put up 200.
I think Priest would have been on the list if Bob would have included playoff games. I think he had about 165 yards against Indy in the 2003 playoff game. Also, he had some huge games on the road.
One surprising stat is that every game that the Chiefs had the top rusher they won the game while on the other hand the Chiefs were 5-7 in the games that they allowed the top rusher. Means’ stat is surprising because that was the game that Leaf had -22 yards passing otherwise the Bolts stats would have been putrid. Hopefully the Chiefs can continue to build on that list while not giving up the horrible totals they have given up the past couple of years.