By Ross Jackson
There may be no current player with a greater impact on the New Orleans Saints roster than running back Alvin Kamara. As a standard-bearer, on-field producer and locker room leader, Kamara has completely redefined the term all-purpose running back to include his impact off of the gridiron.
However, it will be his production on the field on Sunday afternoon that the masses will be watching. Kamara is just 12 rushing yards away from becoming the Saints’ all-time leading career rushing yards. He enters the game against the Atlanta Falcons with 6,489 career rushing yards, just behind former running back Mark Ingram’s total of 6,500.
Ingram praised Kamara’s play style as a large part of why he has remained so productive over his eight-year playing career. His ability to avoid contact has helped to keep him fresh, and his toughness to play through injury has been a major factor as well.
Kamara already holds franchise records for most rushing touchdowns, most carries, most total touchdowns and yards from scrimmage.
This newest record would cap off what has already been a big week for Kamara. Following his remarkable performance at Carolina, he was honored in the locker room by the equipment staff who dresses a display mannequin in an honored player’s uniform each week. He was then appointed team captain for the remainder of the season and has played a large role in supporting new Interim Head Coach Darren Rizzi (subscription required).
The running back has been a vocal leader for the team, helping the roster navigate what has been a tumultuous few seasons. His everlasting honesty has also been a reliable barometer for fans to know just how things are going for the team. All the while, he’s continued to produce and play through injury and even a contract dispute.
Kamara continued to practice all through training camp and play through the opening weeks of the season even while working to get a new contract done with the Saints. In the process he played through broken ribs, a broken hand and other injuries. The contract finally got done after Week 7.
With just 12 yards to go against the Falcons to claim the all-time franchise record, Kamara has left no doubt about where his loyalties lie. The 2017 Offensive Rookie of the Year has already etched his name into the history of the Saints organization forever. This will be yet another opportunity to cement himself among the best running backs to ever play in New Orleans, a title that he will deserve to hold all alone by the time his playing career in New Orleans comes to an end.
