Denver Broncos: Remembering C.J. Anderson’s best moments
Former Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson is calling it a career.
After seven seasons in the league, C.J. Anderson announced his decision to retire on Friday. Anderson played for five different teams, but the most productive years of his career came with the Broncos.
He was undrafted in 2013 but he made the roster and worked his way up the depth chart before eventually becoming the team’s starting running back later down the road.
The Broncos have a rich history of finding solid players as undrafted free agents and Anderson ranks among the best that they have found.
With 3,051 rushing yards during his five-year career in Denver, Anderson ranks ninth on the team’s all-time rushing list. He has the most rushing yards by an undrafted player in team history.
Though he won’t be remembered along the same lines as Terrell Davis or Floyd Little, Anderson still had a special career with the Broncos. Here are some of his best moments.
Touchdown reception vs. Raiders
It’s always nice to see touchdowns scored against the Raiders and Anderson had a memorable one on November 9, 2014. The 2014 season was a great one for Anderson as he was selected to the Pro Bowl as an alternate that season.
This play may be his most memorable from that campaign.
Anderson caught a pass from Peyton Manning out in the flat, made a few Raiders miss and then scored on a wild 51-yard touchdown.
Anderson finished that season with 1,173 total yards and 10 touchdowns.
Winner against the Pats
If you think about Anderson in a Broncos uniform, this is almost certainly the first thing you think about.
In Week 12 of the 2015 season, the Broncos took on the hated New England Patriots on Sunday Night Football. In a memorable clash between the two teams that went into overtime, Anderson became the game’s hero.
Facing a 3rd-and-1 from around midfield on a snowy night in Denver, Anderson took a pitch from Brock Osweiler, found a hole and beat a Patriots defender to the sideline before racing the rest of the way for a 48-yard touchdown and a sudden-death victory.
This win was instrumental in the Broncos getting home-field advantage in the playoffs that year, one in which they ultimately went to and won the Super Bowl.
Performance in Super Bowl 50
The Broncos had Manning in Super Bowl 50, but he needed help to get himself another trophy. Anderson was a big help the night the Broncos upset the Carolina Panthers to win the Super Bowl.
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In that game, Anderson led the Broncos’ rushing attack with 23 carries for 90 yards. He also scored the game-clinching touchdown after the Panthers fumbled deep in their own territory.
Anderson finished his career in Denver with a terrific 2017 season, statistically the best of his career. He rushed for over 1,000 yards that season. He was released following that season and then had stints with the Carolina Panthers, Raiders, Los Angeles Rams and Detroit Lions.
He will now apparently look to become a coach in the college ranks. Anderson will have some great experience to lean on as well as some great stories to tell.
Broncos fans should always remember his great contributions as a player who came out of nowhere and was a key cog in the team reaching its ultimate goal.