Earl Christian Campbell (born March 29, 1955) is a former professional American Football running back.

His nickname is The Tyler Rose, a reference to his hometown of Tyler, Texas, which is known as the "Rose Capital of America" for its prominent place in the rose-growing industry. He went to John Tyler High School.

Early life

Campbell was born in Tyler, Texas, the sixth of eleven children. His father died when he was 11 years old. He began playing football in fifth grade as a kicker, but moved to linebacker and running back in sixth grade. In 1973, he led the Corky Nelson-coached John Tyler High School to the Texas 4A State Championship (4A then was the largest classification in the state). Then-Oklahoma Sooners head coach Barry Switzer, who unsuccessfully recruited Campbell, said in his 1989 book that Campbell was the only player he ever saw who could have gone straight from high school to the NFL and immediately been a star.