Ottis Anderson

Ottis Anderson
Name	Ottis Anderson
Birth date	March 9, 1957
Birth place	Hearne, Texas, U.S.
Position	Running back
College	University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff
Drafted	1979 NFL Draft, 1st round, 8th overall
Teams	St. Louis Cardinals (1979–1986), New York Giants (1986–1993)
Highlights	Super Bowl XXV MVP, NFL rushing touchdowns leader (1980), Pro Bowl (1981)

Ottis Anderson was an American professional American football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) from 1979 to 1993. Known for his durability and clutch postseason performances, he helped the New York Giants win Super Bowl XXV and earned that game's Most Valuable Player award. Anderson's career spanned high school success in Texas, collegiate achievements at University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and notable NFL seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals and the Giants.

Early life and college

Born in Hearne, Texas, Anderson attended Hearne High School, where he starred in Texas high school football. Emerging from the same state that produced talent for programs such as the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University, he accepted a scholarship to a historically Black university, University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, then known as Arkansas AM&N College. At Arkansas AM&N he played for the Golden Lions program, competing against teams from conferences including the Southwestern Athletic Conference and facing opponents from schools such as Alcorn State University and Grambling State University. His collegiate rushing totals and combination of vision and power drew attention from NFL scouts evaluating prospects for the 1979 NFL Draft, joining a draft class that included players from University of Southern California, University of Pittsburgh, and Ohio State University.

Professional football career

Anderson entered the NFL as a first-round draft pick, selected eighth overall in the 1979 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Cardinals. He became the Cardinals' feature back, compiling rushing yards against divisional opponents such as the Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, and Washington Redskins. In 1980 he led the league in rushing touchdowns, competing in seasons that also featured stars from Miami Dolphins, San Diego Chargers, and Pittsburgh Steelers. Anderson earned a Pro Bowl selection in 1981 and continued to pace the Cardinals' ground game through the mid-1980s.

In October 1986, Anderson was traded to the New York Giants, joining a backfield and roster constructed by executives from franchises like the Dallas Cowboys and the Washington Redskins. With the Giants, coached by Bill Parcells and led on offense by quarterbacks such as Phil Simms, Anderson played a pivotal role in playoff runs, including matchups against the San Francisco 49ers and postseason contests versus the Chicago Bears. His most notable contributions came in the 1990 season and the ensuing postseason, culminating in Super Bowl XXV against the Buffalo Bills at Tampa Stadium. Anderson announced his retirement following the 1993 season, having shared backfield duties with teammates from programs like Syracuse University and University of Miami.

Playing style and accomplishments

Anderson's playing style combined decisive vision, patience, and power between the tackles—traits celebrated in comparisons with backs from University of Alabama and University of Notre Dame alumni. Known for ball security and reliable third-down conversions, he consistently produced yards after contact against defenses from franchises such as the New York Jets, Los Angeles Rams, and Cleveland Browns. Career highlights include leading the NFL in rushing touchdowns (1980), multiple 1,000-yard seasons, and selection to the Pro Bowl.

His postseason performances elevated his reputation: in the 1990 playoffs he outperformed rushing attacks from teams like the San Francisco 49ers and delivered a decisive 102-yard effort in the Giants' clinching Super Bowl XXV victory over the Buffalo Bills, earning the game's Most Valuable Player award. Anderson's postseason reliability placed him among notable playoff performers from institutions like University of Pittsburgh and Penn State University, and his career statistics ranked him among the league's productive rushers of the 1980s and early 1990s.

Post-retirement activities

After retiring, Anderson engaged in community and media roles, participating in programs associated with organizations such as the New York Giants Alumni Association and events tied to NFL alumni networks. He appeared in regional broadcasts and charitable initiatives alongside former players from franchises including the St. Louis Cardinals alumni and members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame community. Anderson also took part in youth football camps, collaborating with coaches and former players from colleges like University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff and Texas A&M University–Kingsville to mentor prospective student-athletes navigating recruitment to institutions such as NCAA Division I programs.

Personal life and legacy

Anderson's personal life included residence and community involvement in the New York metropolitan area and ties to his Texas roots in Hearne and surrounding counties. His legacy is preserved in retrospectives by franchise historians for the New York Giants and analyses within the broader context of NFL postseason lore alongside figures from Buffalo Bills history and Super Bowl competitors. Anderson remains part of discussions comparing durable NFL running backs and playoff standouts from universities like University of Michigan and University of Oklahoma, and his Super Bowl XXV MVP performance endures as a benchmark for late-career impact in championship play.

Category:1957 births Category:Living people Category:American football running backs Category:New York Giants players Category:St. Louis Cardinals (football) players Category:University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff alumni