O. J. Simpson used to be a running back.
The 2,000-yard club is a group of seven National Football League ( NFL ) running backs that have rushed for 2,000 or more yards in a season . Orenthal James `` O. J. '' Simpson ( born July 9 , 1947 ) , nicknamed The Juice , is a former American football running back , broadcaster , actor , and convicted armed robber and kidnapper . He played professionally in the National Football League ( NFL ) as a running back for 11 seasons , with the Buffalo Bills from 1969 to 1977 and with the San Francisco 49ers from 1978 to 1979 . He is the only player to ever rush for over 2,000 yards in the 14-game regular season NFL format .