List of NFL career rushing touchdowns leaders

This is a list of National Football League (NFL) running backs by total career rushing touchdowns. This list includes all running backs with at least 75.

Emmitt Smith is the all-time leader with 164. He also leads in postseason touchdowns with 19. Cam Newton is the only quarterback in this list.

Players with at least 75 touchdowns

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Emmitt Smith has the most rushing touchdowns with 164.
Key
^ Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame
* Denotes player who is still active

Through Week 9 of the 2024 season

Rank Player Team(s) by season Touchdowns
1 Emmitt Smith^ Dallas Cowboys (1990–2002)
Arizona Cardinals (2003–2004) 		164
2 LaDainian Tomlinson^ San Diego Chargers (2001–2009)
New York Jets (2010–2011) 		145
3 Marcus Allen^ Los Angeles Raiders (1982–1992)
Kansas City Chiefs (1993–1997) 		123
4 Adrian Peterson Minnesota Vikings (2007–2016)
New Orleans Saints (2017)
Arizona Cardinals (2017)
Washington Redskins (2018–2019)
Detroit Lions (2020)
Tennessee Titans (2021)
Seattle Seahawks (2021) 		120
5 Walter Payton^ Chicago Bears (1975–1987) 110
6 Jim Brown^ Cleveland Browns (1957–1965) 106
7 John Riggins^ New York Jets (1971–1975)
Washington Redskins (1976–1985) 		104
8 Derrick Henry* Tennessee Titans (2016–2023)
Baltimore Ravens (2024–present) 		101
9 Shaun Alexander Seattle Seahawks (2000–2007)
Washington Redskins (2008) 		100
Marshall Faulk^ Indianapolis Colts (1994–1998)
St. Louis Rams (1999–2005)
11 Barry Sanders^ Detroit Lions (1989–1998) 99
12 Jerome Bettis^ Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams (1993–1995)
Pittsburgh Steelers (1996–2005) 		91
Franco Harris^ Pittsburgh Steelers (1972–1983)
Seattle Seahawks (1984)
14 Eric Dickerson^ Los Angeles Rams (1983–1987)
Indianapolis Colts (1987–1991)
Los Angeles Raiders (1992)
Atlanta Falcons (1993) 		90
Curtis Martin^ New England Patriots (1995–1997)
New York Jets (1998–2005)
16 Priest Holmes Baltimore Ravens (1997–2000)
Kansas City Chiefs (2001–2007) 		86
17 Marshawn Lynch Buffalo Bills (2007–2010)
Seattle Seahawks (2010–2015, 2019)
Oakland Raiders (2017–2018) 		85
18 Jim Taylor^ Green Bay Packers (1958–1966)
New Orleans Saints (1967) 		83
19 Corey Dillon Cincinnati Bengals (1997–2003)
New England Patriots (2004–2006) 		82
20 Ottis Anderson St. Louis Cardinals (1979–1986)
New York Giants (1986–1992) 		81
Frank Gore San Francisco 49ers (2005–2014)
Indianapolis Colts (2015–2017)
Miami Dolphins (2018)
Buffalo Bills (2019)
New York Jets (2020)
22 Edgerrin James^ Indianapolis Colts (1999–2005)
Arizona Cardinals (2006–2008)
Seattle Seahawks (2009) 		80
23 Ricky Watters San Francisco 49ers (1992–1994)
Philadelphia Eagles (1995–1997)
Seattle Seahawks (1998–2001) 		78
24 Tony Dorsett^ Dallas Cowboys (1977–1987)
Denver Broncos (1988) 		77
25 Pete Johnson Cincinnati Bengals (1976–1983)
Miami Dolphins/San Diego Chargers (1984) 		76
26 Cam Newton Carolina Panthers (2011–2019, 2021)
New England Patriots (2020) 		75
Clinton Portis Denver Broncos (2002–2003)
Washington Redskins (2004–2010)

Players with at least 10 postseason rushing touchdowns

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Through end of 2023 playoffs[1]

Rank Player Team(s) by season Touchdowns
1 Emmitt Smith^ Dallas Cowboys (1990–2002)
Arizona Cardinals (2003–2004) 		19
2 Franco Harris^ Pittsburgh Steelers (1972–1983)
Seattle Seahawks (1984) 		16
Thurman Thomas^ Buffalo Bills (1988–1999)
Miami Dolphins (2000)
4 Terrell Davis^ Denver Broncos (1995–2001) 12
Marshawn Lynch Buffalo Bills (2007–2010)
Seattle Seahawks (2010–2015, 2019)
Oakland Raiders (2017–2018)
John Riggins^ New York Jets (1971–1975)
Washington Redskins (1976–1985)
7 Marcus Allen^ Los Angeles Raiders (1982–1992)
Kansas City Chiefs (1993–1997) 		11
LeGarrette Blount Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2010–2012)
New England Patriots (2013, 2014–2016)
Pittsburgh Steelers (2014)
Philadelphia Eagles (2017)
Detroit Lions (2018)

Historical rushing touchdowns leaders

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Fifteen players are recognised as having held outright or tied the record as the NFL's career rushing touchdowns leader.[2] Both Jim Brown and Emmitt Smith have held the record for over 20 years.

Jim Brown held the record 24 years, from the early 1960s until the Walter Payton era.
Reign Player Team(s) while leader Career rushing touchdowns Season(s)
1921 Fritz Pollard^ [3] Akron Pros 6 1921
1922 Earl Cramer[4] Akron Pros 10 1922
1923 Jimmy Conzelman^ [5] Milwaukee Badgers 11 1923
1924 Doc Elliott[6] Cleveland Bulldogs 14 1924
1925–1926
(2 years)		 Tex Hamer[7] Frankford Yellow Jackets 17 1925
19 1926
Tied 1926 Ben Jones[8] Frankford Yellow Jackets 19 1926
1927–1929
(3 years)		 Paddy Driscoll^ [9] Chicago Bears 22 1927
24 1928
25 1929
1930 Verne Lewellen[10] Green Bay Packers 31 1930
1931–1947
(17 years)		 Ernie Nevers^ [11] Chicago Cardinals 38 1931–1947
Tied 1947 Steve Van Buren^ [12] Philadelphia Eagles 38 1947
1948–1960
(14 years)		 48 1948
59 1949
63 1950
69 1951–1960
1961–1962
(2 years)		 Joe Perry^ [13] Baltimore Colts 71 1961–1962
1963–1987
(24 years)		 Jim Brown^ [14] Cleveland Browns 82 1963
89 1964
106 1965–1986
Tied 1986 Walter Payton^ [15] Chicago Bears 106 1986
1987–1995
(10 years)		 110 1987–1995
1996–1997
(2 years)		 Marcus Allen^ [16] Kansas City Chiefs 112 1996
123 1997
Since 1998
(27 years)		 Emmitt Smith^ [17] Dallas Cowboys (1998–2002)
Arizona Cardinals (2003–2004)		 125 1998
136 1999
145 2000
148 2001
153 2002
155 2003
164 Since 2004

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "NFL Rushing Touchdowns Career Playoffs Leaders". ProFootballReference.com. Archived from the original on July 4, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2020.
  2. ^ "NFL Rushing Touchdowns Career Leaders". Pro football reference.com. October 30, 2019. Archived from the original on February 26, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  3. ^ "NFL Career Rushing Touchdowns Leaders Through 1921". Pro football reference.com. Archived from the original on October 30, 2019. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  4. ^ "NFL Career Rushing Touchdowns Leaders Through 1922". Pro football reference.com. Archived from the original on October 31, 2019. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  5. ^ "NFL Career Rushing Touchdowns Leaders Through 1923". Pro football reference.com. Archived from the original on October 31, 2019. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  6. ^ "NFL Career Rushing Touchdowns Leaders Through 1923". Pro football reference.com. Archived from the original on October 31, 2019. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  7. ^ "NFL Career Rushing Touchdowns Leaders Through 1925". Pro football reference.com. Archived from the original on October 31, 2019. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  8. ^ "NFL Career Rushing Touchdowns Leaders Through 1926". Pro football reference.com. Archived from the original on October 31, 2019. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  9. ^ "NFL Career Rushing Touchdowns Leaders Through 1929". Pro football reference.com. Archived from the original on October 31, 2019. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  10. ^ "NFL Career Rushing Touchdowns Leaders Through 1930". Pro football reference.com. Archived from the original on October 31, 2019. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  11. ^ "NFL Career Rushing Touchdowns Leaders Through 1931". Pro football reference.com. Archived from the original on October 13, 2023. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  12. ^ "Steve Van Buren stats". Pro football reference.com. Archived from the original on March 21, 2021. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  13. ^ "NFL Career Rushing Touchdowns Leaders Through 1962". Pro football reference.com. Archived from the original on October 31, 2019. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  14. ^ "Jim Brown stats". Pro football reference.com. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  15. ^ "Walter Payton stats". Pro football reference.com. Archived from the original on April 28, 2019. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  16. ^ "Marcus Allen stats". Pro football reference.com. Archived from the original on August 5, 2011. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
  17. ^ "Emmitt Smith stats". Pro football reference.com. Archived from the original on March 21, 2021. Retrieved October 30, 2019.
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