Who holds the record for the most rushing touchdowns in a season?

Who holds the record for the most rushing touchdowns in a season?

Lenah Ann
updated at July 20, 2023 at 6:15 AM

Founded over a century ago, the National Football League has seen great talents who have set countless records yet to be broken. With most new youngsters giving their best in an attempt to break a specific record, the league has risen to greater heights. A football player must possess incredible agility, power, skill, and vision to make the most rushing touchdowns in a season.

Most rushing touchdowns in a season by a team
Bryce Callahan kneels in prayer before a game with the Tennessee Titans on 18 Decemeber 2022 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. Photo: Allen J. Schabe
Source: Getty Images

While it is impressive to go down in the history books as a record breaker, it is also no easy task since it requires great focus, determination, hard work, and talent. In the NFL, only the greatest of all time have set records that are yet to be broken.

Most rushing touchdowns in a season

Aside from the rushing touchdowns, the NFL has several other records to be challenged, such as the most passing yards, most passing touchdowns, most passing interceptions, most rushing yards, and most receptions, among others.

According to various online sources, here are the top 10 players with the most rushing touchdowns in a season.

10. Emmitt Smith

Most rushing touchdowns in a season
Hall of Fame inductee, Emmitt Smith, presents on stage during round three of the 2022 NFL Draft on 28 April 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Kevin Sabitus
Source: Getty Images
  • Age: 54 years of age as of July 2023
  • Team(s): Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals
  • Achievements: 3-times Super Bowl champion, Super Bowl MVP, 1993 NFL MVP
  • Records running TDs: 21 in 1994

Smith is known for being one of the best running backs of all time in the NFL franchise. With 18,355 yards, he still holds the record as the all-time rushing yard leader. He has numerous achievements, the most outstanding being the 3-time Super Bowl champion.

The renowned former Dallas Cowboys star had one of the highest explosive powers in the National Football League with great vision, toughness, and determination.

9. Joe Morris

NFL's most rushing touchdowns in a season
Joe Morris (FRONT) walks on the field prior to a halftime ceremony to retire his jersey number during the game against the Connecticut Huskies at the Carrier Dome on 22 September 2018 in Syracuse, New York. Photo: Rich Barnes
Source: Getty Images
  • Age: Died at 51
  • Team(s): New York Giants
  • Achievements: New York Giants Ring of Honour and No. 40 retired
  • Records running TDs: 21 in 1985

On his debut in football, Morris had a touchdown, and ever since, he was unstoppable throughout his career. The New York Giants retired his No. 40 jersey for his achievements as the clubs' greatest running back.

Joe's best season came in 1985 when he rushed for 1,336 yards, and in doing so, he made a record of 21 touchdowns in a single season. Although they lost to the Bears during the Divisional Playoffs, the renowned star sealed his name in the history books.

8. Priest Holmes

  • Age: 49 years of age as of July 2023
  • Team(s): Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs
  • Achievements: Super Bowl champion, NFL Offensive Player of the Year
  • Records running TDs: 21 in 2002

Priest Holmes made history in 2002 with NFL's most rushing touchdowns in a season. He made a career record by rushing 1,615 yards in a single season and secured 21 touchdowns for his club, the Kansas City Chiefs.

The renowned former star missed his two matches of the season due to a hip injury. According to his starts that season, he would have probably made more TDs were it not for the injury. Alongside Emmitt Smith, they hold the record with over 20 back-to-back rushing touchdowns in a season.

7. Terrell Davis

What quarterback has the most rushing touchdowns in a season?
Terrell Davis reacts before a game between the Denver Broncos and the Philadelphia Eagles at Empower Field on 14 November 2021 in Denver, Colorado. Photo: Jamie Schwaberow
Source: Getty Images
  • Age: 50 years of age as of July 2023
  • Team(s): Denver Broncos
  • Achievements: 2-time Super Bowl champion, Super Bowl MVP, NFL Most Valuable Player
  • Records running TDs: 21 in 1998

The legendary Super Bowl champion, Terrell Davis, was among the best running back in history. In his career, he made 7,607 rushing yards, and during the 1998 season, he made his career high with a record of 21 touchdowns.

Although the legend only took part in four full NFL seasons and stayed seven years with the Broncos, he is among the great athletes who hold the record for most rushing touchdowns in a season. After bagging the Super Bowl, Davis retired due to a knee injury.

6. O.J Simpson

Most rushing touchdowns in a season by a team
O.J. Simpson attends a parole hearing at Lovelock Correctional Centre on 20 July 2017 in Lovelock, Nevada. Photo: Jason Bean-Pool
Source: Getty Images
  • Age: 76 years of age as of July 2023
  • Team(s): Buffalo Bills, San Francisco 49ers
  • Achievements: NFL MVP, NFL Offensive Player of the Year, 5-times First-team All-Pro
  • Records running TDs: 23 in 1975

In 1973, Simpson became the first NFL athlete to rush for over 2000 yards in a single season. He was energetic and explosive, with extraordinary speed and agility that saw him break through tackles quickly, leaving opponents devastated.

With a record rushing yards of 1,817 in a single season, the renowned legend set a career-high of the most rushing touchdowns in a season with 23. Considering it was a 14-game season, his TD went down in history as one of the most remarkable in the NFL.

5. John Riggins

Most rushing touchdowns in a season by a team
John Riggins is seen prior to game five of the National League Division Series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on 13 October 2016 in Washington, DC. Photo: Rob Carr
Source: Getty Images
  • Age: 73 years of age as of July 2023
  • Team(s): New York Jets, Washington Redskins
  • Achievements: Super Bowl champion, Super Bowl MVP, NFL Comeback Player of the Year
  • Records running TDs: 24 in 1983

During the 1983 season, John Riggins, usually referred to as a red zone specialist, made an iconic rush of 1,347 yards and, in doing so, secured 24 touchdowns in a single season and thus set a then-record for the most TDs in a season.

Although he missed a match that would have seen his tally rise, he was vital to the Redskins’ success in taking home the Super Bowl even though he was 34 years old.

4. Emmitt Smith

  • Age: 54 years of age as of July 2023
  • Team(s): Dallas Cowboys, Arizona Cardinals
  • Achievements: 3-times Super Bowl champion, Super Bowl MVP, 1993 NFL MVP
  • Records running TDs: 25 in 1995

In addition to his success during the 1994 season with 21 TDs, Smith returned stronger in the 1995 season and bagged 25 TDs. This time, he specialised in the red zone and was a massive success in the Cowboys' victory during Super Bowl 30.

In the season, Smith became the first NFL player to go over the 1,400 mark in the rushing yards records category for five consecutive seasons.

3. Priest Holmes

Record for most rushing touchdowns in a season
Priest Holmes looks on from the sideline during the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl between the American Team and the National Team at StubHub Center on 23 January 2016 in Carson, California. Photo: Victor Decolongon
Source: Getty Images
  • Age: 49 years of age as of July 2023
  • Team(s): Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs
  • Achievements: Super Bowl champion, NFL Offensive Player of the Year
  • Records running TDs: 27 in 2003

After 21 TDs the previous year, Holmes returned and secured six more touchdowns in the 2003 season. He made a rushing yard record of 1,430 on 320 carries and was considered one of the best NFL players in the sport's history.

For his success to prevail, he used weak links in the end zone, backing it up with his incredible elusiveness and skills, and thus he became a force to be reckoned with. His reigning years were from 2001-2003.

2. Shaun Alexander

  • Age: 45 years of age as of July 2023
  • Team(s): Seattle Seahawks, Washington Redskins
  • Achievements: NFL MVP, NFL Offensive Player of the Year, First-team All-Pro
  • Records running TDs: 27 in 2005

Shaun saw the Seattle Seahawks reach the Super Bowl with his rushing yards and touchdowns during the 2005 season. The legend secured 1,880 rushing yards, and in doing so, he made a historic record of 27 TDs.

Most rushing touchdowns in a season by a quarterback
Shaun Alexander of the Seattle Seahawks talks during his Ring of Honour Induction ceremony at Lumen Field on 16 October 2022 in Seattle, Washington. Photo: Lindsey Wasson
Source: Getty Images

The renowned former Seahawks' running back was known for his short yardage and great power, which made him difficult to mark and cover. He battled injuries during his last three seasons and eventually retired with 11 more TDs.

1. LaDainian Tomlinson

  • Age: 44 years of age as of July 2023
  • Team(s): San Diego Chargers, New York Jets
  • Achievements: NFL Most Valuable Player, NFL Offensive Player of the Year
  • Records running touchdowns: 28 in 2006

Ever wondered who has the most rushing touchdowns in a season? LaDainian Tomlinson holds the record for NFL's most rushing touchdowns in a season with 28. The legendary star was unstoppable due to his ability to break tackles and go for an easy score easily.

After four matches, he recorded 3 TDs, and seven after six matches, the most from any NFL player. During his career-high record, he rushed for 21 touchdowns and ten more on three occasions.

Most rushing touchdowns in a season by a team
LaDainian Tomlinson attends the 11th Annual NFL Honours at YouTube Theater on 10 February 2022 in Inglewood, California. Photo: Jeff Kravitz
Source: Getty Images

What quarterback has the most rushing touchdowns in a season?

The record for the most rushing touchdowns in a season by a quarterback is held by Cam Newton. The renowned Carolina Panthers quarterback made 14 rushing TDs during his rookie season in 2011.

Most rushing touchdowns in a season by a team

The century-long record, previously held by Frankford Yellow Jackets, was broken in 2022 by the Philadelphia Eagles after securing 39 TDs, one more than Frankford 38. The Eagles now hold the record for a team's most rushing touchdowns in a season.

Has any QB ever rushed for 1000 yards?

Lamar Jackson and Michael Vick are the only quarterbacks in the history of the NFL ever to rush more than 1000 yards.

Records are here to be set and broken, and although the record for the most rushing touchdowns in a season stands at 28, it is only a matter of time before it meets its match. Most NFL athletes know the meaning of breaking a record and are always on the lookout every season.

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Authors
Lenah Ann photo
Lenah Ann
Lenah Ann is a Kenyan-based content creator with 2 years of experience. She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Media and Communication from Dedan Kimathi, Kenya in 2021.