Steve Van Buren
Inducted:
1965
Player Stats
6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
200 lb (91 kg)
Born:
December 28, 1920
La Ceiba, Honduras
Died:
August 23, 2012
Lancaster, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Position:
Halfback
College:
LSU (1940–1943)
Steve Van Buren was one of the NFL’s earliest superstar running backs and a cornerstone of the Philadelphia Eagles’ rise to prominence in the 1940s. Known for his powerful running style, relentless toughness, and unmatched drive, Van Buren led the league in rushing four times and became the first player in NFL history to top 1,000 rushing yards in a season twice.
He was the driving force behind the Eagles’ back-to-back NFL Championships in 1948 and 1949, scoring the only touchdown in the legendary 1948 blizzard title game. His ability to grind out yards in any condition made him one of the most dependable and feared backs of his era. Van Buren finished his career as the NFL’s all-time leader in rushing yards and touchdowns.
Inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1965, he remains one of the defining figures of early professional football.
Van Buren's Awards and Honors
- 2× NFL champion (1948, 1949)
- 5× First-team All-Pro (1944, 1945, 1947–1949)
- 2× Second-team All-Pro (1946, 1950)
- 4× NFL rushing yards leader (1945, 1947–1949)
- 4× NFL rushing touchdowns leader (1945, 1947–1949)
- NFL scoring leader (1945)
NFL Records
- First player to record two 1,000-yard rushing seasons
- Retired as NFL’s career leader in rushing yards and touchdowns
- Scored the winning touchdown in the 1948 Blizzard Championship Game
NFL Teams
Philadelphia Eagles (1944–1951)
NFL Draft:
1944: 1st round, 5th overall pick
Philadelphia Eagles
Number Worn:
15
NFL Stats
Seasons:
8 (1944–1951)
Games Played:
83
Games Started:
64
Rushing yards:
5,860
Rushing average:
4.4
Rushing touchdowns:
69
Receptions:
45
Receiving yards:
523
Receiving touchdowns:
3
Return yards:
2,503
Return touchdowns:
5