Earl Campbell - I wish you well...............

I had the privilege of seeing Earl Campbell yesterday. He was going to the food store. He literally took 6-7 minutes to six minutes to cover 40 yards across the parking lot – a distance he used to breeze through in less than five seconds as a punishing running back at Texas and during an eight-year, Hall of Fame career in the NFL, mostly with the Houston Oilers. Still wearing his trademark beard, now gray, he was standing at a 45-degree angle, unable to straighten at his lower back. He couldn’t straighten his knees, either.

I had a nice conversation with him. He was very polite and accommodating. In talking with him, Campbell was totally lucid one second and struggling to recall names and prominent dates the next. It was very uncomfortable.

He said that when the walker becomes too much work, he uses a wheelchair that he travels with at all times. He wasn’t bitter thought. He feels he’s lived a blessed life.

What a shame. People talk down upon Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, Tiki Barber etc. (all great players) for retiring in their prime. They obviously knew what they were doing.



Earl Campbell and Walter Payton were the two greatest running backs I ever saw play in person. I never got to see Jim Brown, I was too young. I wish Earl well. He looked so uncomfortable just trying to go to the food store….. So Sad. - George Carson

George is an avid reader or Extra Point (Football Blogs). Thanks for your submission George.

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