Who was the better back: Bo Jackson or Walter Payton?

Question

Who was the better back: Bo Jackson or Walter Payton?

Answer 1

Bo who? Jackson was a flash in the pan, and is actually the opposite of Sweetness. Jackson's career though flashy, was cut short by injury, whereas Peyton was low key, and seldom if ever injured.

They couldn't be more different.

Answer 2

this one is tougher than one might think.. can't go wrong picking either and could make a case.. for Career.. Payton.. and man I loved watching him run.. I wouldn't say as entertaining as Barry Sanders (who literally looked like he floated) but man he was awesome..

but.. I'm a long time Auburn fan.. and I remember the Day Bo went over the top to beat Bama.. he was unnatural.. 6'3" 245 lbs and ran a 4.4 40 with POWER.. if you doubt Bo had power ask Bryan Bosworth lol.. really sad that he got a freak injury that ended his career because I think Bo's best football was yet to come.. an old story.. Bo took a toss sweep to the weak side at the 15 yard line in an Auburn game and broke free on the sidelines.. he was moving so fast when he passed Pat Dye that the wind blew his hat off onto the field..  

Answer 3

Bo had the greatest mix of power and speed and that kind of dynamic player might never come back. Bo may have been the best or one of the best if his career was not cut short. But If you ask who had the better career obviously its Payton who had one of the best, but if you ask talent I think its Bo.

Answer 4

Walter Payton

Answer 5

Walter Payton is 2nd all time in rushing yards so that should tell you something!  

Answer 6

payton....no debate...

Answer 7

Walter Payton by FAR!!!

Answer 8

Walter Payton , simply cause he had a full career , Bo was Faster and Tougher , but with such a short career due to injury he never got a chance to put up huge numbers  

Answer 9

peyton

Answer 10

This is a ridiculous question.  Jackson was a dynamic player and might have been one of the all time greats, but his career is nothing compared to Payton's.  Sweetness was the better player by far.

Answer 11

Are you for real?  Sweetness is the best back of all times.

Answer 12

Walter obviously had the longer career and more career yardage.  And of course, Walter is one of the all-time greats.

But if I could choose either in their prime without knowing how long they would last, I would definitely go with Bo.  Size, strength and speed was with Bo.  He could outrun DB's and run over LB's.  He was the bigger talent in my opinion.

Answer 13

Who really knows? Bo didn't get to play long enough to be evaluated.

Answer 14

Walter Payton.  Apparently, it's a little-known fact that Jackson had only about 1,700 rushing yards in his entire NFL career.  Sure, he was a dazzling talent, but you have to get quite a few more than 1,700 career rushing yards to be considered one of the greats like Payton in my book.

Answer 15

they were both great, in their own right. they were examples of two different running styles.

Payton, was a finesse runner while Jackson, was a power runner.

Answer 16

No question: Sweetness.

Answer 17

Uh...Walter Payton is the best RB in NFL history...