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Stat of the Jay: James Brooks Had a Season for Bengals That's Only Been Matched By Two Other NFL RBs

Jay Morrison|
Jan 22, 1989; Miami, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Cincinnati Bengals running back James Brooks (21) carries the ball against San Francisco 49ers safety Jeff Fuller (49) during Super Bowl XXIII at Joe Robbie Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Bengals 20-16. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-Imagn Images
Jan 22, 1989; Miami, FL, USA; FILE PHOTO; Cincinnati Bengals running back James Brooks (21) carries the ball against San Francisco 49ers safety Jeff Fuller (49) during Super Bowl XXIII at Joe Robbie Stadium. The 49ers defeated the Bengals 20-16. Mandatory Credit: RVR Photos-Imagn Images | RVR Photos-Imagn Images

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Cincinnati Bengals

CINCINNATI – Former Cincinnati Bengals running back James Brooks was the first player since the NFL merger to accomplish a feat that has only been matched twice in the 39 seasons since he did it.

In continuing with our series of Stat of the Jay articles focused on the nine finalists for the Bengals’ Ring of Honor this year, let’s look at just how elite Brooks was during his time in Cincinnati, especially in 1986.

That was Brooks’ first 1,000-yard rushing season, and he finished eighth in the league with 1,087.

He also had 686 receiving yards, which ranked third in the league and would stand as his career high.

Among running backs with more than 100 rushers and more than 30 catches in 1986, Brooks led the NFL in rushing yards per attempt (5.3) and yarders per reception (12.7).

No one since the 1970 merger had ever accomplished that, and only Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk (1999) and Clinton Portis (2002) have done it since.

It was one of three times in his career Brooks led the league in yards per carry, and he also finished second in 1988 and fifth in 1985.

Brooks finished in the top 10 in scrimmage yards three times in his career, placing third in 1986, fifth in 1989 and 10th in 1990.

He still owns the Bengals record for career yards per rush (4.8) and is second in rushing yards (6,412), scrimmage yards (9,459) and total touchdowns (64).

Previous Ring of Honor Stat of the Jays:

Jim Breech and his elite streak

Brooks had at least 1,200 scrimmage yards in five of six seasons from 1985-90.

He is one of 71 players in NFL history with at least five seasons with 1,200+ scrimmage yards, and one of four Bengals, joining Corey Dillon (six), Chad Johnson (five) and Joe Mixon (five).

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Jay Morrison
JAY MORRISON

Jay Morrison covers the Cincinnati Bengals for Bengals On SI. He has been writing about the NFL for nearly three decades. Combining a passion for stats and storytelling, Jay takes readers beyond the field for a unique look at the game and the people who play it. Prior to joining Bengals on SI, Jay covered the Cincinnati Bengals beat for The Athletic, the Dayton Daily News and Pro Football Network.