Terrell Davis NFL MVP Award

Lore & Background

Davis was selected by the Broncos in the sixth round (196th pick overall) of the 1995 NFL draft. He is the Denver Broncos' all-time leading rusher, with 7,607 rushing yards. Davis still holds the NFL record for most rushing touchdowns in a single postseason, scoring eight in the 1997 playoffs, culminating in him winning the Super Bowl MVP award. In 1998, he became only the fourth NFL player to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season. He was named league MVP in 1998. Davis is one of only three Broncos to be named league MVP, along with John Elway and Peyton Manning.

Reader's Guide

Davis played seven NFL seasons from 1995 to 2001. He rushed for 7,607 yards and 60 rushing touchdowns, with 5 receiving touchdowns. He was a first-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl selection in 1996, 1997, and 1998. He won Super Bowl MVP in Super Bowl XXXII and was a member of the Super Bowl XXXIII championship team. After the 1998 season, he played in 1999, 2000, and 2001 but was plagued by injuries. He retired during the preseason of 2002.

Did You Know?

• Davis was given the nickname 'T. D.' by players, fans and the media, denoting both his initials and the abbreviation for touchdown.
• Davis is the lowest drafted player to ever gain over 1,000 yards rushing in his rookie season (1,117 yards in 1995).
• Davis rushed for over 100 yards in all four of Denver's postseason games in 1997, joining John Riggins as the only player to do so in a single postseason.

The Underdog's Meteoric Rise

Terrell Davis entered the NFL as a significant longshot, selected by the Denver Broncos in the sixth round of the 1995 draft with the 196th overall pick. His path to stardom was far from guaranteed; he began training camp as merely the sixth-string tailback, competing against established veterans for a roster spot. However, Davis quickly captivated the coaching staff during pre-season games, particularly through his physical dominance on special teams where he delivered crushing hits that showcased his toughness. This momentum carried him into the season opener as the starting running back, instantly transforming Denver's offense from a struggling unit into a potent rushing attack. This improbable ascent from a late-round pick to an immediate workhorse set the stage for one of the most explosive careers in franchise history.

Unmatched Playoff Dominance

While Davis's regular-season statistics were impressive, his true legend was forged during the postseason, where he displayed a level of clutch performance rarely seen in football. The pinnacle of this dominance occurred during the 1997 playoffs, culminating in Super Bowl XXXII against the Green Bay Packers. Despite suffering from a severe migraine that forced him to miss the entire second quarter, Davis delivered a masterclass performance, rushing for 157 yards and scoring three touchdowns to earn Super Bowl MVP honors. His playoff career included an unprecedented eight rushing touchdowns in a single postseason, an NFL record he still holds today. Furthermore, he joined John Riggins as one of only two players to rush for over 100 yards in all four games of a single playoff run.

Historic Regular Season Achievements

Beyond his playoff heroics, Terrell Davis established himself as an elite force in the regular season, particularly during the 1998 campaign. That year, he became only the fourth player in NFL history to rush for over 2,000 yards in a single season, tallying 2,008 yards and securing his first NFL rushing title. This monumental achievement earned him the league's MVP award, alongside being named the Offensive Player of the Year by the Associated Press for the second time. His consistency was remarkable; he won three consecutive AFC rushing titles and secured three straight Pro Bowl selections starting from 1996. His ability to dominate defenses year after year, despite being an injury-prone prospect coming out of college, cemented his status as one of the greatest running backs of all time.

Enduring Legacy and Cultural Impact

Terrell Davis's influence on the game extends far beyond his statistical records, shaping the culture and traditions of the Denver Broncos. He is credited with originating the iconic "Mile High Salute," a celebratory gesture adopted by players after scoring touchdowns that remains a staple of the franchise identity to this day. His nickname, "T.D.," cleverly played on both his initials and the abbreviation for touchdown, reflecting his prolific scoring ability which resonated deeply with fans and media alike. Although his career was cut short by injuries, his impact was recognized with his election into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2017. Davis transformed from an overlooked sixth-round pick and a college transfer who struggled with injuries at Georgia into a two-time Super Bowl champion and league MVP, leaving an indelible mark on NFL history as a player whose brief tenure produced some of the most memorable moments in professional football.