Marshall Faulk

Before the start of the next season, the Colts traded Faulk to the St. Louis Rams, then the laughingstock of the NFL. But with Faulk in the lineup, the Rams' offense came alive. That season, Faulk gained more than 1,000 yards rushing and more than 1,000 yards receiving, making him the second player in NFL history to complete that feat. The 2,429 yards (1,381 rushing and 1,048 receiving) set a new NFL single-season record for most yards from scrimmage. More important, Faulk delivered the Rams to the Super Bowl. In the game, Faulk pulled down five passes to gain ninety yards as the Rams defeated the Tennessee Titans 23-16.

During the 2000 season, Faulk continued his torrid pace. He scored twenty-six touchdowns to set a new NFL record for most touchdowns in a season, bettering Emmitt Smith's 1995 mark by one. He also led the NFC with most yards combined (1,359 rushing and 830 passing).

Faulk continues to wrack up the stats because he is so fast. "What sets him apart from everybody else is that he can go from a standing start to full speed faster than anybody I've ever seen," Colts coach Ted Marchibroda told Sports Illustrated. "When he runs the ball and is forced to hesitate, his next step is full speed."

While Faulk's future abilities remain uncertain, it is pretty certain he will remain a Ram for the rest of his pro career. In July 2002, Faulk signed a seven-year, $44 million deal with the club.

Faulk spends the off-season in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, and his free time with his son, Marshall William Faulk, Jr., born in 1995, to Faulk and his girlfriend Candace Patton. He calls the boy Deucie.

Over the years, Faulk hasn't forgotten the people he left behind. He purchased uniforms for Carver High's sports teams and also has given money for the school's training equipment. Faulk also donated a quarter-million dollars so San Diego State could upgrade its football offices. In addition, the Marshall Faulk Foundation raises money for inner-city children in New Orleans and St. Louis.