John Brockington John Stanley Brockington ( born September 7 , 1948 in Brooklyn , New York ) is a former American football running back . He was the National Football League ' s Green Bay Packers ' 1st round draft choice out of the Ohio State University , and was the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1971 . College career . Brockington played halfback and fullback for the Ohio State Buckeyes from 1968 to 1970 . He was one of the so - called Super Sophomores who led the Buckeyes to an undefeated season and a consensus national championship in 1968 . Brockington and the other Super Sophomores finished their college careers with a record of 27 - 2 . Brockington played at the left halfback position in 1968 and 1969 , used primarily as a blocker for fullback Jim Otis and quarterback Rex Kern . In 1970 Brockington moved to the fullback position and was the featured running back in head coach Woody Hayes ' offense . Brockington finished his senior season with 1 , 142 rushing yards , which was at the time an Ohio State single - season record . Brockington was selected into the Ohio State Football All - Century Team in 2000 , and was elected into the Ohio State Varsity O Hall of Fame in 2002 . Professional career . Brockington was the Green Bay Packers 1st round draft choice , the ninth selection overall , in 1971 . Brockington was the first NFL player to ever rush for 1 , 000 or more yards in each of his first three seasons . In 1971 Brockington was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year by the Associated Press . Brockington was named All - Pro in 1971 , 2nd Team All - Pro in 1973 and All - NFC in 1972 . Brockington was also selected to 3 consecutive Pro Bowl s ( 1971 – 1973 ) . His first running mate in the Green Bay backfield was another former Packer first round draft choice , Donny Anderson . Anderson was traded the following season to the St . Louis Cardinals for running back MacArthur Lane . Together , Brockington and Lane formed a dynamic running duo in the backfield , carrying the Packers offense between 1972 and 1974 . With a running style based on his great strength , Brockington epitomized the power running back - a player who preferred to break tackles and run over defenders rather than run away from them . He was one of the first running backs to combine brute force with speed . Brockington ' s success was short - lived , however . After eclipsing 1 , 000 yards rushing during each of his first three seasons , he never attained the same level . He ran for 883 yards in 1974 and only 434 the following year . This was the result of typical wear - and - tear , the departure of Lane after the 1974 season and changes in the Packers ' playbook that did not take advantage of Brockington ' s abilities . After the first game of the 1977 season , he was released by the Packers and subsequently signed by the Kansas City Chiefs . He retired following the season . John Brockington Foundation . Established in 2002 after receiving a kidney transplant from his wife Diane Scott , the John Brockington Foundation was created to aid others impacted by kidney disease . They provide free screenings and educational material to those who require it , and also provide food vouchers for people on dialysis . Kidney drives also aid those seeking new kidneys .