Walter Payton could do it all: run, block, pass -- he'd even fill in as punter. He played his entire 13 year career with the Chicago Bears, winning MVP in 1977, and a Super Bowl in 1985.

Eric Dickerson could beat you on the ground and through the air. In this photo, he's about to throw a pass on a halfback option play and score a touchdown to beat the Atlanta Falcons 14-7 in 1986.

In 1991, Thurman Thomas was the MVP of the NFL after a dominating season in which he accrued over 2,000 all-purpose yards.

Barry Sanders became only the third player to rush for over 2,000 yards in a season in 1997, his MVP year.

Marcus Allen was phenomenal in goal line situations. Here he leaps over defenders in a 16-14 win over the Cardinals in 1989.

Emmitt Smith was named league MVP in 1993, and helped lead the Dallas Cowboys to their second straight Super Bowl win over the Buffalo Bills.

One of Walter Payton's signature maneuvers was the stutter-step, a kind of high-step juke designed to fool defenders.

Thurman Thomas was fast, he was shifty, and he could catch as well as any receiver. Here, Thomas outpaces the Houston Oilers defense in the 1989 playoffs.

Marcus Allen in '86 against the Broncos at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, where the Rams play today.

Eric Dickerson's goggles were as iconic as his unpredictable runs, but they weren't a fashion choice: they were prescription. In a 2016 appearance on Good Morning Football, Dickerson revealed that he hated wearing them. I dunno, I think they're pretty cool.

Marcus Allen shared the backfield with dual-sport superstar Bo Jackson from 1987-1990. I wouldn't envy any defender tasked with bringing these guys down.

1998 was an extraordinary year for Terrell Davis: league MVP, two-time Super Bowl champion, plus his third consecutive selection to the Pro Bowl in Hawaii.

Barry Sanders set numerous records during his career, but unfortunately never played in a Super Bowl, though he did lead the Lions to five playoff seasons and two divisional records.

Many observers and writers thought that Thurman Thomas should have been the MVP of Super Bowl XXV due to his outstanding performance, even though the Bills lost the game to the Giants.

Emmitt Smith wraps himself around Michael Irvin after the Cowboys clinched the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. They'd go on to win their third Super Bowl of the 1990s.

Throughout the 1980s, Eric Dickerson was an unstoppable force for the Los Angeles Rams.

Walter Payton receives instruction from coach Mike Ditka in 1987.

Terrell Davis became the Broncos featured back in 1996 after impressing coaches with his ability the previous year in his rookie season.

Barry Sanders might be the greatest running back of all time. He's certainly one of them, at the very least. He was a Pro Bowl selection each year he was in the league, all 10 of which he spent with the Detroit Lions.

Here, Emmitt Smith poses for his ProLine trading card in a room made from helmets, apparently?

To this day, no running back has more receptions in the postseason than Thurman Thomas.

Marcus Allen ran for 1,759 yards plus an additional 555 yards receiving in his 1985 MVP season.

Selected second overall in the 1983 NFL Draft, Eric Dickerson was an immediate success on the field, winning Rookie of the Year.

Nicknamed "TD," Terrell Davis was the first to popularize the "Mile High Salute," a military-style salute to fans used as a touchdown celebration.

Emmitt Smith flashes a smile before the 1992 Pro Bowl.

Barry Sanders was drafted third overall in 1989, and his greatness was instantaneous. He won Rookie of the Year and a Pro Bowl selection. The following season, he would lead the NFL in rushing yards -- an accomplishment he would repeat three more times.

Emmitt Smith scores a touchdown against the New York Giants in 1995

Walter Payton and quarterback Doug Flutie practicing in 1986, the year after the Bears won the Super Bowl.

Eric Dickerson played with four different teams over his 11 year career and was selected to the Pro Bowl six times. After leaving the Rams, Dickerson ran for the Indianapolis Colts from 1987-1991.

Terrell Davis earned MVP honors in 1998 and helped John Elway and the Denver Broncos win their second of two back-to-back Super Bowls.

Thurman Thomas was selected to five consecutive Pro Bowls from 1989-1993.

Through ten seasons in Detroit, Barry Sanders averaged over 1,500 rushing yards per season.

Marcus Allen making a play against the Patriots in 1985. Allen would win the league MVP award that year.

Walter Payton's legacy continues today with his posthumous charity foundation, and the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award, which honors players for excellence in community service and on the field accomplishments.