Anderson, "O. J." (Ottis J.)

Football

b. Feb. 19, 1957, W. Palm Beach, FL

A 6-foot-2, 225-pound running back with speed and power, Anderson was named to some All-American teams in 1978, his senior year at the University of Miami. He was the first draft choice of the NFL's St. Louis Cardinals. In his first professional game, against the Dallas Cowboys, he rushed for 193 yards.

Anderson gained 1,605 yards that season, a rookie record at the time, and he was named rookie of the year, player of the year, and All-Pro. After rushing for more than 1,000 yards each of the next 2 seasons, he had 587 yards in just 8 games in 1982 because of the NFL Players' Association strike and then went over 1,000 yards again in 1983 and 1984.

A foot injury limited him to part-time duty in only nine games in 1985. After four games with the Cardinals in 1986, he was traded to the New York Giants for two draft choices. Anderson saw little action with the Giants until 1989, when he again became a starter and gained 1,023 yards, scoring 14 touchdowns.

After rushing for 784 yards and scoring 11 touchdowns in 1989, Anderson was named the most valuable player in Super Bowl XXV, gaining 102 yards on 21 carries in the Giants' 20-19 victory over the Buffalo Bills.

Anderson retired after carrying the ball only 63 times in 23 games during the 1991 and 1992 seasons. He appeared in 182 NFL games, gaining 10,273 yards on 2,562 carries, a 4.0 average, and rushing for 81 touchdowns. He also caught 376 passes for 3,062 yards, an 8.1 average, and 5 touchdowns.