Buffalo Bills: Top 5 Franchise Records Unlikely to Ever be Beaten

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Oct 10, 2014; Buffalo, NY, USA; Buffalo Bills retired running back Thurman Thomas (left), owner Kim Pagula , retired player Ruben Brown and owner Terry Pagula in Ralph Wilson Stadium after a press conference introducing the new ownership at ADPRO Sports Training Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports /

4) Thurman Thomas: Career rushing record (11,938)

There is understandably some debate over who is the best running back in Bills history. Regardless, this doesn’t change the fact that Thomas enjoyed an illustrious career in Western New York.

Certainly, the 1988 second draft pick’s resume makes for impressive reading: Three-time First-team All Pro, five-time Pro Bowler and 1991 NFL MVP.

However, what really stands out, is Thomas’ durability with the Bills. In total, he played 12 seasons in Buffalo and missed just 19 games, the majority of which were during his final year.

As such, it was only a matter of time before the Houston, Texas native surpassed Simpson, to become the Bills’ all-time rushing yardage leader. When he left in 1999, he had rushed for 11,938 yards, a mark which stands to this very day.

It’s tough to imagine anyone ever topping Thomas’ rushing total, especially considering the durability needed to play running back (combined with sticking with one team long enough). When you factor in how pass-oriented the NFL is these days, his record seems pretty safe.

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