Marshall Faulk

During the 1994 NFL draft, the Indianapolis Colts snagged Faulk as the draft's second overall pick. His contract, worth about $17 million, including a $5.1 million signing bonus was the largest ever earned by a rookie up to that point.

The Colts got their money's worth. His rookie season, 1994, Faulk rushed for 1,282 yards and scored twelve touchdowns to be named the Associated Press Offensive Rookie of the Year. He also played in the Pro Bowl (the only rookie) and rushed for 180 yards in the game, breaking Simpson's 22-year-old Pro Bowl record. Naturally, Faulk was named the game's MVP. Faulk achieved those numbers despite having wrecked his car on a slick street prior to the game. He hitched a ride to the stadium and arrived ten minutes before kickoff, completely unnerved.

During 1994, Faulk provided the spark that propelled the Colts to a winning record of 8-8. The team had gone 4-12 the previous year. Injuries slowed Faulk the next few seasons, particularly a broken big toe. In 1998, however, Faulk was dazzlingly successful as he gained a total of 2,227 yards (1,319 rushing, and 908 receiving), the sixth-best total in NFL history.