Top 100 NFL Running Backs - #95: Marv Hubbard

 

Marv Hubbard

Teams

Oakland Raiders (1969-76)

Detroit Lions (1977)

Playoffs

Appearances - 7 (1969,1970,1972,1973,1974,1975,1976*)

Conf Champ Games - 6 (1969,1970,1973,1974,1975,1976*)

Super Bowls - 1 (1976*)

Championships - 1 (1976*)

*injured, did not play

Awards and Honors

Pro Bowl - 3 (1971,1972,1973)

All-Time Ranks

Yards per Rush - #18

Season Leads

Rushing Yards (#5-1972, #7-1971,1974)

Yards per Rush (#4-1971, #5-1972, #7-1973,1974)

Rushing Yards per Game (#6-1972, #8-1971)

Marv Hubbard played college football at Colgate University, and led the team in rushing in his first two seasons, which led to him eventually being drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the 11th round with the 277th pick in 1968. He failed to make the team that year, and instead played in the Atlantic Coast Football League, where he led the league in rushing yards, which enticed the Raiders to sign him again in 1969.

He hardly saw the field in his first two seasons as a backup running back, getting only 72 total carries in 27 games. In 1971, he switched positions to fullback, where he made an immediate impact. He rushed for 867 yards and 5 touchdowns that year, averaging 4.8 yards per carry, and was named to the Pro Bowl.

He was named to the Pro Bowl twice more in a row, including the 1972 season, when he rushed for 1100 yards, which was the Raiders team record at the time, and then again in 1973, when he scored a career-high 6 touchdowns. He also helped lead the Raiders to the AFC title game that year for the first of 4 straight seasons, though they fell short of reaching the Super bowl in those first 3.

He injured his shoulder midway through the 1975 season, and ended up missing a year and a half with the injury. While he was out, the Raiders finally reached and won the Super Bowl in 1976, and though he didn't play a single down all season, the team still gave him a Super Bowl ring.

After that season, he signed with the Detroit Lions, where he played one final season as a backup running back, and like his first two seasons in Oakland, did not see much playing time, leading to his retirement after the season. 

Hubbard was not a big star, but he was big and tough and racked up yardage every time he touched the ball. His career average of 4.8 yards per rush attempt is #18 among all players ever, and #3 among players who primarily played fullback. He was a very consistent and effective, especially during his 4-year peak, and deserves to be remembered for his greatness still.