Originally a defensive back at the University of Miami in Florida, Foreman spent two years as a running back and was used mostly as a wide receiver in 1972, his senior year. A first-round draft choice of the NFL's Minnesota Vikings, Foreman became a running back again as a professional, but was often used as a receiver out of the backfield. He was a consensus choice as the National Football Conference rookie of the year in 1973, when he rushed for 801 yards on 182 attempts and caught 37 passes for 362 yards. Foreman rushed for 76 yards and 1 touchdown in Minnesota's 27-10 victory over the Dallas Cowboys in the conference championship game, but was held to only 18 yards when the Vikings lost 24-7 to the Miami Dolphins in the Super Bowl. In 1975, the 6-foot-2, 210-pound Foreman came close to leading the NFC in receptions and rushing yardage. He caught 73 passes to lead the conference and finished just 6 yards behind Jim Otis of the St. Louis Cardinals in rushing. Foreman's 22 touchdowns tied Gale Sayers' former record, but O. J. Simpson scored 23 that season to break it. Foreman was named conference player of the year by The Sporting News in 1974 and by United Press International in 1976. He was named to the All-Pro Team in 1975 and 1976 and played in five consecutive Pro Bowls, 1973 through 1977. A knee injury bothered him throughout the 1978 season, when he gained just 749 yards on 237 attempts, an average of only 3.2 per carry, and a rib injury forced him into a backup role in 1979. Foreman was then traded to the New England Patriots, where he spent the 1980 season before retiring. Foreman rushed for 5,950 yards and 53 touchdowns in 1,556 carries, averaging 3.8 yards per attempt, and caught 350 passes for 3,156 yards, a 9.0 average, and 23 touchdowns.
