Courtney "C. J." James Anderson (born February 10, 1991) is an American former professional football running back and current coach. He is best known for his tenure with the Denver Broncos, where he was a key offensive player and Super Bowl 50 champion.
Early Life and College Career
Born in Vallejo, California, Anderson attended Rodriguez High School in Fairfield, California, where he was a standout multi-sport athlete in football and track and field. He played college football at Laney College before transferring to the University of California, Berkeley, where he played for the California Golden Bears from 2011 to 2012. As a senior in 2012, he rushed for 790 yards and four touchdowns.
Professional Career
Denver Broncos (2013–2017)
Anderson went undrafted in the 2013 NFL Draft but signed with the Denver Broncos as a free agent.
- Breakout Season (2014): After injuries to other running backs, Anderson emerged as the Broncos' primary runner late in the season, rushing for 849 yards and eight touchdowns in just seven starts. He earned a Pro Bowl selection for his performance.
- Super Bowl 50 Champion (2015): In the 2015 season, Anderson played a crucial role in the Broncos' Super Bowl 50 victory over the Carolina Panthers. He rushed for 90 yards and one touchdown in the championship game, which was the lone offensive touchdown for the Broncos.
- Continued Success: He continued to be a productive back for the Broncos, including a 2017 season where he surpassed 1,000 rushing yards for the first time in his career, finishing with 1,007 yards.
Later Career (2018–2019)
After being released by the Broncos, Anderson signed with the Carolina Panthers in 2018 but was later released. He then had stints with the Los Angeles Rams, where he played a significant role in their playoff run to Super Bowl LIII, rushing for over 100 yards in both divisional and conference championship games. He also briefly played for the Oakland Raiders and Detroit Lions before retiring from the NFL.
Post-Playing Career
Following his playing career, C. J. Anderson transitioned into coaching. He has held various coaching roles, including running backs coach at the high school and collegiate levels.
Legacy
C. J. Anderson is remembered as a powerful and versatile running back who overcame being an undrafted free agent to achieve Pro Bowl recognition and a Super Bowl championship. His career exemplified resilience and late-career impact, particularly his significant playoff performances with both the Broncos and the Rams.