Alabama Alumni Achieve 28th NFL 1,000-Yard Rushing Milestone
On Thanksgiving Day, Jahmyr Gibbs marked a significant milestone in NFL history. The Detroit Lions running back became the 28th player from Alabama to rush for over 1,000 yards in a season. Despite the Lions’ 31-24 defeat to the Green Bay Packers, Gibbs managed to contribute 68 rushing yards on 20 attempts.
Jahmyr Gibbs: A Rising Star
This season, Gibbs has accumulated 1,019 rushing yards with 10 touchdowns. However, he did not find the end zone against the Packers, marking the second time in the season that he was unable to score. Earlier this season, the Packers defeated Detroit 27-13 in their first matchup.
Historic Accomplishments by Alabama Alumni
With this achievement, Gibbs joins an esteemed group of Alabama alumni who have rushed for over 1,000 yards in a single NFL season. His predecessor, Josh Jacobs, also played in the Thanksgiving game, recording 83 rushing yards on 17 carries, bringing his seasonal total to 731 yards.
Other Notable Alabama NFL Runners
Several other Alabama alumni have reached the 1,000-yard milestone in the NFL, including:
- Bobby Humphrey – Denver Broncos (
- 1989: 1,151 yards, 7 touchdowns
- 1990: 1,202 yards, 7 touchdowns
- Shaun Alexander – Seattle Seahawks (
- 2001: 1,318 yards, 14 touchdowns
- 2002: 1,175 yards, 16 touchdowns
- 2003: 1,435 yards, 14 touchdowns
- 2004: 1,696 yards, 16 touchdowns
- 2005: 1,880 yards, 27 touchdowns
- Eddie Lacy – Green Bay Packers (
- 2013: 1,178 yards, 11 touchdowns
- 2014: 1,139 yards, 9 touchdowns
- Mark Ingram – New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Ravens (
- 2016: 1,043 yards, 6 touchdowns
- 2017: 1,124 yards, 12 touchdowns
- 2019: 1,018 yards, 10 touchdowns
- Derrick Henry – Tennessee Titans (
- 2018: 1,059 yards, 12 touchdowns
- 2019: 1,540 yards, 16 touchdowns
- 2020: 2,027 yards, 17 touchdowns
- 2021: 1,538 yards, 13 touchdowns
- 2022: 1,167 yards, 12 touchdowns
- 2023: 1,921 yards, 16 touchdowns
- Najee Harris – Pittsburgh Steelers (
- 2021: 1,200 yards, 7 touchdowns
- 2022: 1,034 yards, 7 touchdowns
- 2023: 1,035 yards, 8 touchdowns
- 2024: 1,043 yards, 6 touchdowns
Derrick Henry’s Pursuit of Milestone
Meanwhile, Derrick Henry of the Baltimore Ravens is close to securing his seventh 1,000-yard season. In the 2025 NFL season, he currently has 871 rushing yards and is anticipated to play against the Cincinnati Bengals soon.
The success of Alabama alumni in the NFL continues as they consistently demonstrate their skills on the field, contributing to the rich legacy of Alabama football.
