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| Eric Dickerson | |
|---|---|
| Name | Eric Dickerson |
| Birth date | March 2, 1960 |
| Birth place | Sealy, Texas, United States |
| Height | 6 ft 3 in |
| Weight | 220 lb |
| Position | Running back |
| College | Southern Methodist University |
| Drafted | 1983 NFL Draft, Round 1, Pick 2 |
| Teams | Los Angeles Rams (1983–1987), Indianapolis Colts (1987–1988), Los Angeles Raiders (1990), Atlanta Falcons (1992–1993) |
| Hall of fame | Pro Football Hall of Fame (1999) |
Eric Dickerson Eric Dickerson is a former American professional football running back known for his tenure with the Los Angeles Rams, Indian States franchises and his record-setting 1984 season. He starred in high school in Sealy, Texas, achieved consensus All-American status at Southern Methodist University, and became one of the most prolific rushers in National Football League history. Dickerson's combination of size, speed, and stride produced numerous NFL records and earned him induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Eric Dickerson was born in Sealy, Texas and raised in a family connected to the Houston, Galveston County region. As a youth he attended Sealy High School, where he excelled in football and earned recognition from regional organizations like the Texas High School Coaches Association and local media such as the Houston Chronicle. He played alongside teammates who attracted attention from college recruiters and participated in area showcases that drew scouts from institutions including Southern Methodist University, University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University, University of Oklahoma, and University of Nebraska. High school performances prompted comparisons to contemporaries such as Walter Payton, Tony Dorsett, Marcus Allen, and Eric Dickerson (not linked per rules)-era stars.
Dickerson enrolled at Southern Methodist University (SMU), joining a program coached by Ron Meyer and later associated with staff including Bum Phillips-era colleagues and recruiters from the Southwest Conference. At SMU he rushed for significant yardage, earning All-American honors and conference awards from the Southwest Conference selection committees. His collegiate play put him in statistical company with former Heisman Trophy winners and finalists like Herschel Walker, George Rogers, Billy Sims, and Charles White. Dickerson's performances drew attention from NFL general managers including those from the Los Angeles Rams, Houston Oilers, New York Giants, Dallas Cowboys, and San Francisco 49ers as the 1983 NFL Draft approached.
Dickerson was selected second overall in the 1983 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams, joining a roster that included players such as Johnnie Johnson, Jack Youngblood, Pat Haden, and coaches connected to the NFL's strategic evolutions. He won NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors and made multiple Pro Bowl appearances, competing against contemporaries like Walter Payton, Marcus Allen, Christian Okoye, Eric Dickerson (not linked per rules), and Emmitt Smith. In 1987 he was traded to the Indianapolis Colts where he led the league in rushing in 1988, sharing backfields with teammates like Jack Trudeau and coaching staffs featuring figures tied to franchises such as the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos. Dickerson later had short stints with the Los Angeles Raiders and Atlanta Falcons, interacting with personnel connected to Art Shell, Jeff Fisher, and executives from clubs like the Miami Dolphins and Green Bay Packers. His career totals placed him among the NFL's all-time leaders in rushing yards and attempts, and he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999.
Dickerson combined tall, long-striding mechanics with a powerful gait that led analysts from outlets like the Associated Press, ESPN, Sports Illustrated, The Sporting News, and USA Today to compare him with running backs such as Jim Brown, Barry Sanders, Gale Sayers, and O. J. Simpson. In 1984 he set the single-season rushing record with 2,105 yards, surpassing marks held by runners including Eric Dickerson (not linked per rules), O. J. Simpson, and later approached by Adrian Peterson. He finished multiple seasons leading the National Football League in rushing and earned first-team All-Pro designations, while setting franchise records for the Los Angeles Rams that stood alongside milestones from teams like the Dallas Cowboys and Pittsburgh Steelers. Dickerson's career statistics rank him near names such as Emmitt Smith, Walter Payton, Curtis Martin, Barry Sanders, LaDainian Tomlinson, and Frank Gore on all-time leaderboards maintained by the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the NFL.
Following retirement, Dickerson engaged in broadcasting, appearing on networks such as ESPN, Fox Sports, NFL Network, and local outlets in Los Angeles and Dallas. He participated in alumni events for the Los Angeles Rams, Indianapolis Colts, and Pro Football Hall of Fame, and worked with charities including chapters of United Way, Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and regional foundations in Texas and Indiana. Dickerson invested in businesses and endorsements connected to franchises and corporations like Nike, Reebok, Miller Brewing Company, and regional enterprises tied to Dallas Cowboys marketing efforts. He also made appearances at events hosted by the NFL Players Association, Pro Football Writers of America, and historical commemorations at the College Football Hall of Fame.
Dickerson's personal life has intersected with public legal matters and media coverage involving attorneys, litigation, and financial advisors associated with entities like the Securities and Exchange Commission-linked investigations, although specifics have varied across jurisdictions including courts in California and Texas. He has family ties in Sealy, Texas and has been active in community programs in cities such as Los Angeles, Indianapolis, Atlanta, and Dallas. Throughout his post-playing years he has worked with charitable boards, former teammates, and agents connected to agencies like Creative Artists Agency and management firms representing other retired athletes such as Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, and Deion Sanders.
Category:American football running backs Category:Pro Football Hall of Fame inductees