Best of the Packers: Top 10 running backs since 1960
By Phil Watson
5. Dorsey Levens (1994-2001)
There were some who thought the Green Bay Packers were crazy to take a running back with a history of knee problems in the fifth round of the 1994 NFL Draft.
But Georgia Tech’s Dorsey Levens fought back to become a Pro Bowler in 1997 before the knee problems resurfaced in 1998. He bounced back for a 1,000-yard season in 1999 but was a reserve player following that.
The Packers released Levens in February 2002 and he signed a free agent deal with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Levens rushed for a career-high 1,435 yards in his 1997 Pro Bowl season and ran for nine touchdowns in 1999, when he also posted a career-best 71 receptions.
In eight seasons with the Packers—two full seasons as the feature back—Levens carried the ball 1,006 times for 3,937 yards and 28 touchdowns and had 271 receptions for 2,079 yards and 16 scores.
His 3,937 rushing yards is sixth in Packers history and his 28 rushing touchdowns are tied for eighth.
After a year with the Eagles, Levens left for the New York Giants in free agency in April 2003, returning to Philadelphia in August 2004. He was released prior to the start of the season, but re-signed in mid-September.
In June 2006, Levens returned to Green Bay on a one-day contract and retired. He was inducted into the Packers Hall of Fame in 2009.
Next: Future Pick Paid Off