Jamal Anderson Rushing Yards Record
Former Falcons running back and 1998 Pro Bowler known for the 'Dirty Bird' celebration.
Jamal Sharif Anderson (born September 30, 1972) is an American former professional football player who was a running back for the Atlanta Falcons of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Falcons in the seventh round of the 1994 NFL draft. He played high school football at El Camino Real High School, where he was named to the CIF Los Angeles City Section 4-A All-City first-team in 1989. He went on to play college football at Moorpark College for the Moorpark College Raiders before playing for the Utah Utes.
- Peak Era
- 1997–2001
Lore & Background
Anderson earned a Pro Bowl selection in 1998, leading the NFC in rushing and helping the Falcons to an appearance in Super Bowl XXXIII. He suffered a career-ending knee injury in 2001 while finishing his eight-year career with 41 touchdowns and 7,656 yards of offense. He broke the 1,000-yard barrier in four different seasons between 1996 and 2000. His best season was 1998, when he set an NFL record with 410 carries, and finished with 1,846 rushing yards and 14 rushing touchdowns, both totals second in the league that year behind Terrell Davis. Anderson was well known for his 'Dirty Bird' touchdown celebration.
In Their Own Story
The air inside the Georgia Dome was thick with anticipation as the fourth quarter wore on. The Falcons' offense had stalled, but then Jamal Anderson took the handoff from the quarterback. He lowered his shoulder, absorbing the initial hit of a linebacker before exploding through a seam in the defensive line. The crowd roared as he sprinted down the sideline, dodging a desperate tackle attempt near the goal line. In that moment, every yard he gained felt like a step toward immortality, solidifying his place among the elite.
Reader's Guide
Anderson played eight seasons with the Falcons, amassing 5,336 rushing yards, 156 receptions for 1,645 yards, and 41 touchdowns before he suffered what became a career-ending tear of his ACL in 2001. He attended Moorpark College in 1990–1991, where he had over 2,800 rushing yards and was named First Team All-Western State Conference in both years. He then attended the University of Utah on a scholarship, where he had 1,275 rushing yards and scored 14 rushing touchdowns in his two years on the team.
Did You Know?
- Anderson's 'Dirty Bird' touchdown celebration involved flapping his arms like wings and rhythmically bouncing side to side.
- He set an NFL record with 410 carries in the 1998 season.
- Anderson appeared as an analyst on ESPN/ABC, often promoting his alma mater the University of Utah and the Mountain West Conference.
- He was arrested in February 2009 on suspicion of cocaine possession.
- His son, Jamal, is a linebacker for the Clemson Tigers.
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