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<div class="vector-column-end"> <div class="vector-sticky-pinned-container"> <nav class="vector-page-tools-landmark" aria-label="Page tools"> <div id="vector-page-tools-pinned-container" class="vector-pinned-container"> </div> </nav> <nav class="vector-appearance-landmark" aria-label="Appearance"> <div id="vector-appearance-pinned-container" class="vector-pinned-container"> <div id="vector-appearance" class="vector-appearance vector-pinnable-element"> <div class="vector-pinnable-header vector-appearance-pinnable-header vector-pinnable-header-pinned" data-feature-name="appearance-pinned" data-pinnable-element-id="vector-appearance" data-pinned-container-id="vector-appearance-pinned-container" data-unpinned-container-id="vector-appearance-unpinned-container" > <div class="vector-pinnable-header-label">Appearance</div> <button class="vector-pinnable-header-toggle-button vector-pinnable-header-pin-button" data-event-name="pinnable-header.vector-appearance.pin">move to sidebar</button> 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src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1a/Tyler_Huntley.jpg/220px-Tyler_Huntley.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="147" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1a/Tyler_Huntley.jpg/330px-Tyler_Huntley.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1a/Tyler_Huntley.jpg/440px-Tyler_Huntley.jpg 2x" data-file-width="8256" data-file-height="5504" /></a><figcaption>Fullback <a href="/wiki/Patrick_Ricard_(American_football)" title="Patrick Ricard (American football)">Patrick Ricard</a> (No. 42) of the <a href="/wiki/Baltimore_Ravens" title="Baltimore Ravens">Baltimore Ravens</a> lines up behind quarterback <a href="/wiki/Tyler_Huntley" title="Tyler Huntley">Tyler Huntley</a> during a 2021 preseason game.</figcaption></figure> <p>A <b>fullback</b> (<b>FB</b>) is a position in the <a href="/wiki/Offense_(sports)" title="Offense (sports)">offensive</a> <a href="/wiki/Backfield" class="mw-redirect" title="Backfield">backfield</a> in <a href="/wiki/Gridiron_football" title="Gridiron football">gridiron football</a> and is one of the two <a href="/wiki/Running_back" title="Running back">running back</a> positions along with the <a href="/wiki/Halfback_(American_football)" title="Halfback (American football)">halfback</a>. Fullbacks are typically larger than halfbacks, and, in most offensive schemes, the fullback's duties are split among power running, <a href="/wiki/Reception_(gridiron_football)" title="Reception (gridiron football)">pass catching</a>, and <a href="/wiki/Blocking_(American_football)" title="Blocking (American football)">blocking</a> for both the <a href="/wiki/Quarterback" title="Quarterback">quarterback</a> and the other running back.<sup id="cite_ref-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-1"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Many great <a href="/wiki/Rush_(gridiron_football)" title="Rush (gridiron football)">runners</a> in the history of American football have been fullbacks, including <a href="/wiki/Jim_Brown" title="Jim Brown">Jim Brown</a>, <a href="/wiki/Marion_Motley" title="Marion Motley">Marion Motley</a>, <a href="/wiki/Bronko_Nagurski" title="Bronko Nagurski">Bronko Nagurski</a>, <a href="/wiki/Jim_Taylor_(fullback)" title="Jim Taylor (fullback)">Jim Taylor</a>, <a href="/wiki/Franco_Harris" title="Franco Harris">Franco Harris</a>, <a href="/wiki/Larry_Csonka" title="Larry Csonka">Larry Csonka</a>, <a href="/wiki/John_Riggins" title="John Riggins">John Riggins</a>, <a href="/wiki/Christian_Okoye" title="Christian Okoye">Christian Okoye</a>, and <a href="/wiki/Levi_Jackson" title="Levi Jackson">Levi Jackson</a>. However, many of these runners would retroactively be labeled as halfbacks, due to their position as the primary <a href="/wiki/Carry_(gridiron_football)" title="Carry (gridiron football)">ball carrier</a>; they were primarily listed as fullbacks due to their size and did not often perform the run blocking duties expected of modern fullbacks. Examples of players who have excelled at the hybrid running–blocking–pass catching role include <a href="/wiki/Vonta_Leach" title="Vonta Leach">Vonta Leach</a>, <a href="/wiki/Mike_Alstott" title="Mike Alstott">Mike Alstott</a>, <a href="/wiki/William_Henderson_(American_football)" title="William Henderson (American football)">William Henderson</a>, <a href="/wiki/Daryl_Johnston" title="Daryl Johnston">Daryl Johnston</a>, <a href="/wiki/Kyle_Juszczyk" title="Kyle Juszczyk">Kyle Juszczyk</a>, <a href="/wiki/John_Kuhn" title="John Kuhn">John Kuhn</a>, <a href="/wiki/Le%27Ron_McClain" title="Le'Ron McClain">Le'Ron McClain</a>, <a href="/wiki/Lorenzo_Neal" title="Lorenzo Neal">Lorenzo Neal</a>, <a href="/wiki/Marcel_Reece" title="Marcel Reece">Marcel Reece</a>, <a href="/wiki/Larry_Centers" title="Larry Centers">Larry Centers</a> and <a href="/wiki/Tom_Rathman" title="Tom Rathman">Tom Rathman</a>. </p><p>A decline in the usage of fullbacks, particularly at the professional level, occurred during the late 2000s to mid 2010s. Moreover, the term fullback is increasingly used to refer to specifically running backs focused on blocking, much like how the original quarterback is the <b>blocking back</b>. This is likely due to teams beginning to focus more on passing, as well as the increased popularity of personnel groupings and formations that omit the position. As a result, the role of fullbacks as ball-carriers in the run game has decreased, and most fullbacks only run the ball in rare instances, typically in short-yardage situations. The decline of the position peaked during the mid 2010s, where many NFL teams began phasing the position out of their offenses entirely. However, following the <a href="/wiki/2017_NFL_Season" class="mw-redirect" title="2017 NFL Season">2017 NFL Season</a> the position saw a resurgence. Most teams began using the position again by the 2020s, following the position's evolution into a role more similar to a <a href="/wiki/Tight_end" title="Tight end">tight end</a> rather than a running back. Modern-day offenses often employ tight ends in formations that feature a fullback. Most NFL teams who do not carry an official fullback on their roster still use the position in their offense, usually using a hybrid tight end/fullback or a rotation of reserve tight ends at the position. The importance of fullbacks in the passing game has also increased. For example, <a href="/wiki/Kyle_Juszczyk" title="Kyle Juszczyk">Kyle Juszczyk</a> and <a href="/wiki/Alec_Ingold" title="Alec Ingold">Alec Ingold</a> are both contemporary fullbacks who are often used as receivers. Many fullbacks, or hybrid players who play another position in addition to being their team's primary fullback, have also become core special teams players. <a href="/wiki/Derek_Watt" title="Derek Watt">Derek Watt</a> on the <a href="/wiki/Pittsburgh_Steelers" title="Pittsburgh Steelers">Pittsburgh Steelers</a>, <a href="/wiki/Reggie_Gilliam" title="Reggie Gilliam">Reggie Gilliam</a> on the <a href="/wiki/Buffalo_Bills" title="Buffalo Bills">Buffalo Bills</a>, <a href="/wiki/C._J._Ham" title="C. J. Ham">CJ Ham</a> on the <a href="/wiki/Minnesota_Vikings" title="Minnesota Vikings">Minnesota Vikings</a>, and hybrid linebacker/fullback <a href="/wiki/Nick_Bellore" title="Nick Bellore">Nick Bellore</a> on the <a href="/wiki/Seattle_Seahawks" title="Seattle Seahawks">Seattle Seahawks</a> and <a href="/wiki/Detroit_Lions" title="Detroit Lions">Detroit Lions</a> are all examples of contemporary fullbacks or fullback hybrids who were or are important special teams players. Watt was a Pro Bowl special teamer during the 2020 season and Bellore was a Pro Bowl special teamer during the 2020 and 2023 seasons. </p> <meta property="mw:PageProp/toc" /> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="History">History</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Fullback_(gridiron_football)&action=edit&section=1" title="Edit section: History"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <figure typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:Football-Formation-FB.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b1/Football-Formation-FB.svg/240px-Football-Formation-FB.svg.png" decoding="async" width="240" height="120" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b1/Football-Formation-FB.svg/360px-Football-Formation-FB.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/b/b1/Football-Formation-FB.svg/480px-Football-Formation-FB.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="1200" data-file-height="600" /></a><figcaption>Example of fullback positoning in the "I-Form" offense.</figcaption></figure> <p>In the days before <a href="/wiki/One-platoon_system" title="One-platoon system">two platoons</a>, the fullback was usually the team's <a href="/wiki/Punter_(American_football)" class="mw-redirect" title="Punter (American football)">punter</a> and <a href="/wiki/Drop_kick" title="Drop kick">drop kicker</a>.<sup id="cite_ref-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-2"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>2<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> When, at the beginning of the 20th century, a penalty was introduced for hitting the opposing kicker after a kick, the foul was at first called "<a href="/wiki/Roughing_the_kicker" title="Roughing the kicker">running into the fullback</a>", in as much as the deepest back usually did the kicking.<sup id="cite_ref-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-3"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>3<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> </p><p>Before the emergence of the <a href="/wiki/T-formation" class="mw-redirect" title="T-formation">T-formation</a> in the 1940s, most teams used four offensive backs, lined up behind the offensive line, on every play: a quarterback, two halfbacks, and a fullback. The quarterback began each play a quarter of the way "back" behind the offensive line, the halfbacks began each play side by side and halfway "back" behind the offensive line, and the fullback began each play the farthest "back" behind the offensive line. </p><p>As the game evolved and alternate formations came in and went out of fashion, halfbacks (reduced to typically just one rather than two) emerged as the offensive backs most likely to run the ball. "Halfback" came to be synonymous with "running back". Formations began to favor placing the fullback—the back most entrusted with blocking for the running back—closer to the line of scrimmage than the running back. These blocking backs retained the name "fullback" even though they were closer to the offensive line than the halfback. The term "halfback" declined in usage, replaced variously with the more descriptive term "tailback" or the generic term "running back". The term "fullback" is eventually used specifically for blocking backs. </p><p>Fullbacks in modern football are usually lined up behind the quarterback (directly behind in formations like the standard <a href="/wiki/I-formation" class="mw-redirect" title="I-formation">I-formation</a> or offset to either side of the quarterback in formations like the strong I, where they line up on the side with the tight end, or in the weak I where they line up on the side of the formation without the <a href="/wiki/Tight_end" title="Tight end">tight end</a>), though with the rise of shotgun and pistol formations, they sometimes line up next to or in front of the quarterbacks in these formations. When fullbacks are used in pistol formations, they are often lined up next to the quarterback on either side while the running back lines up directly behind the quarterback. In shotgun formations, they are sometimes placed nearer to the offensive line if used as blockers or next to the quarterback where they line up parallel to the running back, who will line up parallel to the fullback on the other side of the quarterback either slightly in front or behind the quarterback. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Characteristics">Characteristics</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Fullback_(gridiron_football)&action=edit&section=2" title="Edit section: Characteristics"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1251242444">.mw-parser-output .ambox{border:1px solid #a2a9b1;border-left:10px solid #36c;background-color:#fbfbfb;box-sizing:border-box}.mw-parser-output .ambox+link+.ambox,.mw-parser-output .ambox+link+style+.ambox,.mw-parser-output .ambox+link+link+.ambox,.mw-parser-output .ambox+.mw-empty-elt+link+.ambox,.mw-parser-output .ambox+.mw-empty-elt+link+style+.ambox,.mw-parser-output .ambox+.mw-empty-elt+link+link+.ambox{margin-top:-1px}html body.mediawiki .mw-parser-output .ambox.mbox-small-left{margin:4px 1em 4px 0;overflow:hidden;width:238px;border-collapse:collapse;font-size:88%;line-height:1.25em}.mw-parser-output .ambox-speedy{border-left:10px solid #b32424;background-color:#fee7e6}.mw-parser-output .ambox-delete{border-left:10px solid #b32424}.mw-parser-output .ambox-content{border-left:10px solid #f28500}.mw-parser-output .ambox-style{border-left:10px solid #fc3}.mw-parser-output .ambox-move{border-left:10px solid #9932cc}.mw-parser-output .ambox-protection{border-left:10px solid #a2a9b1}.mw-parser-output .ambox .mbox-text{border:none;padding:0.25em 0.5em;width:100%}.mw-parser-output .ambox .mbox-image{border:none;padding:2px 0 2px 0.5em;text-align:center}.mw-parser-output .ambox .mbox-imageright{border:none;padding:2px 0.5em 2px 0;text-align:center}.mw-parser-output .ambox .mbox-empty-cell{border:none;padding:0;width:1px}.mw-parser-output .ambox .mbox-image-div{width:52px}@media(min-width:720px){.mw-parser-output .ambox{margin:0 10%}}@media print{body.ns-0 .mw-parser-output .ambox{display:none!important}}</style><table class="box-Unreferenced_section plainlinks metadata ambox ambox-content ambox-Unreferenced" role="presentation"><tbody><tr><td class="mbox-image"><div class="mbox-image-div"><span typeof="mw:File"><a href="/wiki/File:Question_book-new.svg" class="mw-file-description"><img alt="" src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/99/Question_book-new.svg/50px-Question_book-new.svg.png" decoding="async" width="50" height="39" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/99/Question_book-new.svg/75px-Question_book-new.svg.png 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/9/99/Question_book-new.svg/100px-Question_book-new.svg.png 2x" data-file-width="512" data-file-height="399" /></a></span></div></td><td class="mbox-text"><div class="mbox-text-span">This section <b>does not <a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Citing_sources" title="Wikipedia:Citing sources">cite</a> any <a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability" title="Wikipedia:Verifiability">sources</a></b>.<span class="hide-when-compact"> Please help <a href="/wiki/Special:EditPage/Fullback_(gridiron_football)" title="Special:EditPage/Fullback (gridiron football)">improve this section</a> by <a href="/wiki/Help:Referencing_for_beginners" title="Help:Referencing for beginners">adding citations to reliable sources</a>. Unsourced material may be challenged and <a href="/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability#Burden_of_evidence" title="Wikipedia:Verifiability">removed</a>.</span> <span class="date-container"><i>(<span class="date">February 2020</span>)</i></span><span class="hide-when-compact"><i> (<small><a href="/wiki/Help:Maintenance_template_removal" title="Help:Maintenance template removal">Learn how and when to remove this message</a></small>)</i></span></div></td></tr></tbody></table> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:John_Kuhn_running_the_ball.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fe/John_Kuhn_running_the_ball.jpg/200px-John_Kuhn_running_the_ball.jpg" decoding="async" width="200" height="134" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fe/John_Kuhn_running_the_ball.jpg/300px-John_Kuhn_running_the_ball.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/f/fe/John_Kuhn_running_the_ball.jpg/400px-John_Kuhn_running_the_ball.jpg 2x" data-file-width="1024" data-file-height="685" /></a><figcaption>Fullback <a href="/wiki/John_Kuhn" title="John Kuhn">John Kuhn</a>, with jersey #30, carrying the ball after receiving the hand-off from <a href="/wiki/Aaron_Rodgers" title="Aaron Rodgers">Aaron Rodgers</a> (jersey #12)</figcaption></figure> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Runners">Runners</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Fullback_(gridiron_football)&action=edit&section=3" title="Edit section: Runners"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Fullbacks in the run game are historically more valued as power runners used for their ability to fight for yards as opposed to being fast backs valued for their elusiveness and ability to make explosive plays on the ground. </p><p>While rare, some fullbacks have been their teams' leading rushers. Prominent examples include <a href="/wiki/Le%27Ron_McClain" title="Le'Ron McClain">Le'Ron McClain</a> who was the rushing leader for the <a href="/wiki/Baltimore_Ravens" title="Baltimore Ravens">Baltimore Ravens</a> in 2008 and <a href="/wiki/Tony_Richardson_(American_football)" title="Tony Richardson (American football)">Tony Richardson</a> who led the <a href="/wiki/Kansas_City_Chiefs" title="Kansas City Chiefs">Kansas City Chiefs</a> in rushing in 2000. In 2010, <a href="/wiki/Peyton_Hillis" title="Peyton Hillis">Peyton Hillis</a> led the <a href="/wiki/Cleveland_Browns" title="Cleveland Browns">Cleveland Browns</a> in rushing yards with 1,177 yards as a fullback before being converted into a halfback. </p><p>In the contemporary NFL, the role of fullbacks as ball-carriers is incredibly rare and most are limited to running the ball in select short-yardage situations. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Blocking">Blocking</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Fullback_(gridiron_football)&action=edit&section=4" title="Edit section: Blocking"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <figure class="mw-default-size" typeof="mw:File/Thumb"><a href="/wiki/File:DetroitLionsRunningPlay-2007.jpg" class="mw-file-description"><img src="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/06/DetroitLionsRunningPlay-2007.jpg/220px-DetroitLionsRunningPlay-2007.jpg" decoding="async" width="220" height="176" class="mw-file-element" srcset="//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/06/DetroitLionsRunningPlay-2007.jpg/330px-DetroitLionsRunningPlay-2007.jpg 1.5x, //upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/0/06/DetroitLionsRunningPlay-2007.jpg/440px-DetroitLionsRunningPlay-2007.jpg 2x" data-file-width="2430" data-file-height="1944" /></a><figcaption>Running behind the fullback: The QB is about to hand the ball over to the half back #45 who will run with it behind the full back #49</figcaption></figure> <p>Although technically running backs, typically fullbacks are primarily valued for their blocking in most 21st century offenses. The most common and simple runs—the dive and the blast—both employ the fullback as the primary blocker for the halfback. In the <a href="/wiki/Flexbone_formation" title="Flexbone formation">flexbone formation</a>, however, the fullback (sometimes referred to as the B-back) can often be used as the primary rushing threat. </p><p>In many other offensive schemes, the fullback is used as a receiver, especially when the defense <a href="/wiki/Blitz_(gridiron_football)" title="Blitz (gridiron football)">blitzes</a>. In selected plays, some teams will have a lineman report as an eligible receiver to line up as a fullback ("Jumbo" or "Heavy Jumbo") or as a tight end in a "Miami" package in goal-line formations. Players who have been frequently used as situational fullbacks include <a href="/wiki/Haloti_Ngata" title="Haloti Ngata">Haloti Ngata</a>, <a href="/wiki/Dontari_Poe" title="Dontari Poe">Dontari Poe</a>, <a href="/wiki/Jared_Allen" title="Jared Allen">Jared Allen</a> while with the <a href="/wiki/Kansas_City_Chiefs" title="Kansas City Chiefs">Kansas City Chiefs</a>, <a href="/wiki/Richard_Seymour" title="Richard Seymour">Richard Seymour</a> while with the <a href="/wiki/New_England_Patriots" title="New England Patriots">New England Patriots</a>, and <a href="/wiki/Isaac_Sopoaga" title="Isaac Sopoaga">Isaac Sopoaga</a> while with the <a href="/wiki/San_Francisco_49ers" title="San Francisco 49ers">San Francisco 49ers</a>, while <a href="/wiki/Dan_Klecko" title="Dan Klecko">Dan Klecko</a> and <a href="/wiki/Nikita_Whitlock" title="Nikita Whitlock">Nikita Whitlock</a> have played both as a defensive tackle and fullback. Defensive tackle <a href="/wiki/William_%22The_Refrigerator%22_Perry" class="mw-redirect" title="William "The Refrigerator" Perry">William "The Refrigerator" Perry</a> scored a touchdown in <a href="/wiki/Super_Bowl_XX" title="Super Bowl XX">Super Bowl XX</a> from the fullback position. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Substitutes">Substitutes</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Fullback_(gridiron_football)&action=edit&section=5" title="Edit section: Substitutes"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>Most teams in the <a href="/wiki/NFL" class="mw-redirect" title="NFL">NFL</a> do not have a substitute fullback in their depth charts. The role can be filled by backup or number three or four tight ends or bigger and less-frequently-used running backs. Occasionally, <a href="/wiki/Defensive_tackle" title="Defensive tackle">defensive tackles</a> have been used in the fullback position (famous examples include <a href="/wiki/William_Perry_(American_football)" title="William Perry (American football)">William "The Refrigerator" Perry</a> and <a href="/wiki/Kyle_Williams_(defensive_tackle)" title="Kyle Williams (defensive tackle)">Kyle Williams</a>); this is most commonly used in goal-line situations, where the defensive tackle's size and ability to penetrate a wall of players becomes an advantage. In modern offenses, fullbacks in an I-formation can be motioned into a 2-TE formation or <a href="/wiki/H-back" title="H-back">H-back</a> formation, making a running back or tight end fairly well suited to the role. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading3"><h3 id="Canadian_football">Canadian football</h3><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Fullback_(gridiron_football)&action=edit&section=6" title="Edit section: Canadian football"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <p>The fullback position is also used in <a href="/wiki/Canadian_football" title="Canadian football">Canadian football</a>. Unlike in professional American football, where teams keeping multiple fullbacks on the same roster is rare, many professional Canadian teams roster multiple fullbacks on their official rosters. </p> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="References">References</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a href="/w/index.php?title=Fullback_(gridiron_football)&action=edit&section=7" title="Edit section: References"><span>edit</span></a><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">]</span></span></div> <style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1239543626">.mw-parser-output .reflist{margin-bottom:0.5em;list-style-type:decimal}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .reflist{font-size:90%}}.mw-parser-output .reflist .references{font-size:100%;margin-bottom:0;list-style-type:inherit}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-2{column-width:30em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns-3{column-width:25em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns{margin-top:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns ol{margin-top:0}.mw-parser-output .reflist-columns li{page-break-inside:avoid;break-inside:avoid-column}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-alpha{list-style-type:upper-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-upper-roman{list-style-type:upper-roman}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-alpha{list-style-type:lower-alpha}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-greek{list-style-type:lower-greek}.mw-parser-output .reflist-lower-roman{list-style-type:lower-roman}</style><div class="reflist"> <div class="mw-references-wrap"><ol class="references"> <li id="cite_note-1"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-1">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><style data-mw-deduplicate="TemplateStyles:r1238218222">.mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit;word-wrap:break-word}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"\"""\"""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation:target{background-color:rgba(0,127,255,0.133)}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-free.id-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/65/Lock-green.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited.id-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration.id-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription.id-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg")right 0.1em center/9px no-repeat}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg")right 0.1em center/12px no-repeat}body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-free a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-limited a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-registration a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .id-lock-subscription a,body:not(.skin-timeless):not(.skin-minerva) .mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background-size:contain;padding:0 1em 0 0}.mw-parser-output .cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:none;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{color:var(--color-error,#d33)}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#085;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right{padding-right:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .citation .mw-selflink{font-weight:inherit}@media screen{.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}html.skin-theme-clientpref-night .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}@media screen and (prefers-color-scheme:dark){html.skin-theme-clientpref-os .mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{color:#18911f}}</style><cite id="CITEREFHoppe2004" class="citation book cs1">Hoppe, Keith (2004). <i>Faith and Football</i>. <a href="/wiki/Xulon_Press" title="Xulon Press">Xulon Press</a>. pp. 36–37. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/1-59467-669-0" title="Special:BookSources/1-59467-669-0"><bdi>1-59467-669-0</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=Faith+and+Football&rft.pages=36-37&rft.pub=Xulon+Press&rft.date=2004&rft.isbn=1-59467-669-0&rft.aulast=Hoppe&rft.aufirst=Keith&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFullback+%28gridiron+football%29" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> <li id="cite_note-2"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-2">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text">E.g. <a href="/wiki/Clarence_Herschberger" title="Clarence Herschberger">Clarence Herschberger</a>.</span> </li> <li id="cite_note-3"><span class="mw-cite-backlink"><b><a href="#cite_ref-3">^</a></b></span> <span class="reference-text"><link rel="mw-deduplicated-inline-style" href="mw-data:TemplateStyles:r1238218222"><cite id="CITEREFNelson1994" class="citation book cs1">Nelson, David (1994). <a rel="nofollow" class="external text" href="https://books.google.com/books?id=OmwfnipKuogC&q=%22Roughing+the+kicker+%22&pg=PA476"><i>The anatomy of a game: football, the rules, and the men who made the game</i></a>. University of Delaware Press. p. 476. <a href="/wiki/ISBN_(identifier)" class="mw-redirect" title="ISBN (identifier)">ISBN</a> <a href="/wiki/Special:BookSources/9780874134551" title="Special:BookSources/9780874134551"><bdi>9780874134551</bdi></a>.</cite><span title="ctx_ver=Z39.88-2004&rft_val_fmt=info%3Aofi%2Ffmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Abook&rft.genre=book&rft.btitle=The+anatomy+of+a+game%3A+football%2C+the+rules%2C+and+the+men+who+made+the+game&rft.pages=476&rft.pub=University+of+Delaware+Press&rft.date=1994&rft.isbn=9780874134551&rft.aulast=Nelson&rft.aufirst=David&rft_id=https%3A%2F%2Fbooks.google.com%2Fbooks%3Fid%3DOmwfnipKuogC%26q%3D%2522Roughing%2Bthe%2Bkicker%2B%2522%26pg%3DPA476&rfr_id=info%3Asid%2Fen.wikipedia.org%3AFullback+%28gridiron+football%29" class="Z3988"></span></span> </li> </ol></div></div> <div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="External_links">External links</h2><span class="mw-editsection"><span class="mw-editsection-bracket">[</span><a 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template">e</abbr></a></li></ul></div><div id="American_football_positions" style="font-size:114%;margin:0 4em"><a href="/wiki/American_football_positions" title="American football positions">American football positions</a></div></th></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%;text-align:right;"><b><a href="/wiki/Offense_(sports)" title="Offense (sports)">Offense</a></b></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"></div><table class="nowraplinks navbox-subgroup" style="border-spacing:0"><tbody><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:8em"><div style="float:right;"><a href="/wiki/Offensive_line" class="mw-redirect" title="Offensive line">Lineman</a></div></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Tackle_(gridiron_football_position)" title="Tackle (gridiron football position)">Tackle</a> (T)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Guard_(gridiron_football)" title="Guard (gridiron football)">Guard</a> (G)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Center_(gridiron_football)" title="Center (gridiron football)">Center</a> (C)</li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:8em"><div style="float:right;"><a href="/wiki/Quarterback" title="Quarterback">Quarterback</a></div></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Dual-threat_quarterback" title="Dual-threat quarterback">Dual-threat</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Game_manager" title="Game manager">Game manager</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/System_quarterback" title="System quarterback">System</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:8em"><div style="float:right;"><a href="/wiki/Skill_positions" class="mw-redirect" title="Skill positions">Skill positions</a></div></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"></div><table class="nowraplinks navbox-subgroup" style="border-spacing:0"><tbody><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><div style="float:right;"><a href="/wiki/Back_(American_football)" title="Back (American football)">Back</a></div></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Running_back" title="Running back">Running back</a> (RB)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Halfback_(American_football)" title="Halfback (American football)">Halfback/Tailback</a> (HB/TB)</li> <li><a class="mw-selflink selflink">Fullback</a> (FB)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/H-back" title="H-back">H-back</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Wingback_(American_football)" title="Wingback (American football)">Wingback</a> (WB)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Triple-threat_man" title="Triple-threat man">Triple-threat</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Change_of_pace_running_back" title="Change of pace running back">Change of pace</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%"><div style="float:right;">Receiver</div></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Wide_receiver" title="Wide receiver">Wide receiver</a> (WR)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Eligible_receiver" title="Eligible receiver">Eligible receiver</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Tight_end" title="Tight end">Tight end</a> (TE)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Slotback" title="Slotback">Slotback</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/End_(gridiron_football)" title="End (gridiron football)">End</a> (E)</li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table><div></div></td></tr></tbody></table><div></div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%;text-align:right;"><b><a href="/wiki/Defense_(sports)" title="Defense (sports)">Defense</a></b></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"></div><table class="nowraplinks navbox-subgroup" style="border-spacing:0"><tbody><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:8em"><div style="float:right;"><a href="/wiki/Defensive_line" class="mw-redirect" title="Defensive line">Lineman</a></div></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Defensive_tackle" title="Defensive tackle">Defensive tackle</a> (DT)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Defensive_tackle#Nose_tackle" title="Defensive tackle">Nose tackle</a> (NT)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Defensive_end" title="Defensive end">Defensive end</a> (DE)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Edge_rusher" title="Edge rusher">Edge rusher</a> (EDGE)</li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:8em"><div style="float:right;">Backer</div></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Linebacker" title="Linebacker">Linebacker</a> (LB)</li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:8em"><div style="float:right;"><a href="/wiki/Defensive_back" title="Defensive back">Defensive back</a></div></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Cornerback" title="Cornerback">Cornerback</a> (CB)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Safety_(gridiron_football_position)" title="Safety (gridiron football position)">Safety</a> (S)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Nickelback_(American_football)" title="Nickelback (American football)">Nickelback</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Dimeback" title="Dimeback">Dimeback</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table><div></div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:1%;text-align:right;"><b><a href="/wiki/Special_teams" class="mw-redirect" title="Special teams">Special teams</a></b></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="width:100%;padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"></div><table class="nowraplinks navbox-subgroup" style="border-spacing:0"><tbody><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:8em"><div style="float:right;"><a href="/wiki/Kicking_specialist" title="Kicking specialist">Kicking</a></div></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Placekicker" title="Placekicker">Placekicker</a> (K)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Punter_(gridiron_football)" title="Punter (gridiron football)">Punter</a> (P)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Kickoff_specialist" title="Kickoff specialist">Kickoff specialist</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:8em"><div style="float:right;"><a href="/wiki/Snap_(gridiron_football)" title="Snap (gridiron football)">Snapping</a></div></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Long_snapper" title="Long snapper">Long snapper</a> (LS)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Holder_(gridiron_football)" title="Holder (gridiron football)">Holder</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:8em"><div style="float:right;">Returning</div></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-even" style="padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Punt_returner" class="mw-redirect" title="Punt returner">Punt returner</a> (PR)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Kick_returner" class="mw-redirect" title="Kick returner">Kick returner</a> (KR)</li> <li><a href="/wiki/Jammer_(American_football)" title="Jammer (American football)">Jammer</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Upman" class="mw-redirect" title="Upman">Upman</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr><tr><th scope="row" class="navbox-group" style="width:8em"><div style="float:right;"><a href="/wiki/Tackle_(football_move)" title="Tackle (football move)">Tackling</a></div></th><td class="navbox-list-with-group navbox-list navbox-odd" style="padding:0"><div style="padding:0 0.25em"> <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Gunner_(American_football)" title="Gunner (American football)">Gunner</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Upback" title="Upback">Upback</a></li> <li><a href="/wiki/Utility_player#American_football" title="Utility player">Utility</a></li></ul> </div></td></tr></tbody></table><div></div></td></tr><tr><td class="navbox-abovebelow" colspan="2"><div><a href="/wiki/Formation_(American_football)" title="Formation (American football)">Formations</a> (<a href="/wiki/List_of_formations_in_American_football" title="List of formations in American football">List</a>) — <a href="/wiki/History_of_American_football_positions" title="History of American football positions">Nomenclature</a> — <a href="/wiki/Strategy_of_American_football" title="Strategy of American football">Strategy</a></div></td></tr></tbody></table></div>    </div><noscript><img src="https://login.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:CentralAutoLogin/start?type=1x1&useformat=desktop" alt="" width="1" height="1" style="border: none; position: absolute;"></noscript> <div class="printfooter" data-nosnippet="">Retrieved from "<a dir="ltr" href="https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fullback_(gridiron_football)&oldid=1261269934">https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fullback_(gridiron_football)&oldid=1261269934</a>"</div></div> <div id="catlinks" class="catlinks" data-mw="interface"><div id="mw-normal-catlinks" class="mw-normal-catlinks"><a href="/wiki/Help:Category" title="Help:Category">Category</a>: <ul><li><a href="/wiki/Category:American_football_positions" title="Category:American football positions">American football positions</a></li></ul></div><div 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