Reason #12: Great at picking through a defense

Terrell Davis wasn't the biggest player on the football field. He wasn't the most athletic or even the most talented player during his reign of gridiron dominance. Despite lacking the prime physical characteristics of an impeccable running back, Davis had many qualities that helped him become one of the game's all-time greats at the position.

Patience, vision, toughness, grit and determination.

It's a combination of those traits that helped him amass 56 rushing touchdowns, nearly 6,500 yards on the ground and a 4.7 yard per carry average his first four seasons with the Denver Broncos. Though Davis' career was short-lived, he was without question the best rusher in the game during that time span.

Former Broncos linebacker Tom Jackson stated that one of Davis' best qualities was his ability to pick his way through a defense, which can be heard near the six minute mark in the video above.

You watch him pick his way through the defense, I think that's the thing he does best. Lean forward, pick your way through and never slow down. — former Broncos linebacker Tom Jackson

Fans of the Broncos know how integral Davis was to the teams' success and back-to-back Super Bowl wins in 1997 and 1998. Without Davis, those Super Bowl's would have never become a reality.  He made it easier for an aging John Elway, and gave it his all on ever down to do what was necessary for the Broncos to win on any given Sunday.

The statistics back up the Jackson's sentiments on Davis. Nearly 40 percent of the games Davis played in resulted in a 100 yard performance, which is an uncanny achievement that few in the history of the game could ever compete with. Even more impressive are Davis' seven 100 yard rushing performances in the playoffs out of eight total games played.  The only player who has just as many 100 yard playoff rushing performances is Emmitt Smith, who took seventeen games to reach that total.

Whether it was third and short, a goal to goal conversion scenario or if the game was on the line, you know you could count on Davis to get the job done. Picking apart defenses is what he did best, a wrath that many foes felt during his short, yet historic career.