NFL Athlete Number 30 - Terrell Davis

Terrell Davis, or T.D. (although Tony Dorsett will always be the original T.D.), is the best athlete to ever put on the NFL jersey number 30. He was taken with the 196th overall pick in the 1995 NFL draft, out of Georgia. He had a brief (seven-year) but brilliant NFL career, spent entirely with the Denver Broncos, cut short by injuries.

Once considered a longshot to make the Broncos as a running back, Davis went on to eventually become a starter during his rookie season. That year he gained 1,117 yards rushing and 367 receiving. He ran for seven touchdowns while receiving one. This led to an All-Pro selection as a rookie.

Davis' rushing numbers increased each of his first four years in the NFL. His rushing yardage went from 1,117 to 1,538 to 1,750 to 2,008. His rushing touchdowns increased from 7 to 13 to 15 to 21.

In his brief seven-year career, Davis was a three-time Pro Bowler and a four-time All-Pro. He is a two-time Super Bowl champion (XXXII and XXXIII,) as well as the Super Bowl MVP of XXXII held in 1998. In conjunction with the Associated Press, Terrell Davis was named the NFL MVP in 1998.

Davis' career was cut short by injuries to his knees (he tore the ACL and MCL on his right knee in 1999). He officially retired in 2002, ending an injury shortened potential Hall of Fame career.

You know Terrell Davis was a great running back. Did you also know that he could hit like a linebacker?