Eric Dickerson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Eric Dickerson

Dickerson in 2014
No. 29
Position:	Running back
Personal information
Born:	(1960-09-02) September 2, 1960 (age 64) Sealy, Texas, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 3 in (1.91 m)
Weight:	220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High school:	Sealy (TX)
College:	SMU (1979–1982)
NFL Draft:	1983 / Round: 1 / Pick: 2
Career history
Los Angeles Rams (1983) Indianapolis Colts (1987) Los Angeles Raiders (1992) Atlanta Falcons (1993)
Career highlights and awards
NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1986) NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (1983) 3× UPI NFC Offensive Player of the Year (1983, 1984, 1986) 5× First-team All-Pro (1983, 1984, 1986–1988) 6× Pro Bowl (1983, 1984, 1986–1989) 4× NFL rushing yards leader (1983, 1984, 1986, 1988) NFL rushing touchdowns co-leader (1984) NFL 1980s All-Decade Team NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team PFWA All-Rookie Team (1983) St. Louis Football Ring of Fame Indianapolis Colts Ring of Honor Los Angeles Rams No. 29 retired Unanimous All-American (1982) Second-team All-American (1981) 2× First-team All-SWC (1981, 1982) 2× SWC Offensive Player of the Year (1981, 1982) SMU Mustangs Jersey No. 19 honored NFL records Most rushing yards in a season: 2,105 Most rushing yards in a season by a rookie: 1,808 Most rushing yards in a playoff game: 248
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards: 13,259 Rushing average: 4.4 Rushing touchdowns: 90 Receptions: 281 Receiving yards: 2,137 Receiving touchdowns: 6
Player stats at PFR
Pro Football Hall of Fame
College Football Hall of Fame

Eric Dickerson (born September 2, 1960) is a famous American former professional football player. He was a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons. Eric played college football for the Mustangs at Southern Methodist University. He was recognized as an All-American for his amazing skills.

He was picked second overall in the 1983 NFL draft by the Los Angeles Rams. Later, he also played for the Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Raiders, and Atlanta Falcons. During his NFL career, Eric rushed for over 13,000 yards. He holds the NFL record for the most rushing yards in a single season with 2,105 yards, which he set in 1984.

Eric Dickerson was added to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999. In 2019, he was also named to the special National Football League 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. Many people think he is one of the best running backs of all time. He wore special prescription goggles during his games because he was nearsighted.

College Football Journey

Eric Dickerson was a highly sought-after player in high school. He first thought about going to Texas A&M. Then he considered Oklahoma, Southern California, and Southern Methodist University (SMU). His great-grandaunt convinced him to stay in Texas and attend SMU. She really liked the SMU coach, Ron Meyer.

There was a story about Eric driving a new Pontiac Trans Am car in his senior year of high school. People joked that the car was called the "Trans A&M." Eric later said that a family member bought the car for him. He eventually sold the car to a teammate at SMU.

At SMU, Eric shared playing time with Craig James and Charles Waggoner. These three were top recruits in 1979. After Waggoner got hurt, Eric and Craig became the main running backs for SMU. Their running style was so powerful it was called the "Pony Express."

Eric gained 4,450 yards during his college career. This broke a record in the Southwest Conference. He also scored 48 touchdowns, tying another SMU record. In his final year, even though he shared carries with James, Eric finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting. This award goes to the best college football player. He was also named a first-team All-American in 1982.

College Statistics

NFL Career Highlights

Starting Strong with the Rams (1983–1987)

Dickerson set the NFL rushing record in 1984 while earning many awards

Before the 1983 NFL draft, the Los Angeles Rams traded to get the second overall pick. They used this pick to draft Eric Dickerson. He thought about playing for another league, but he chose the Rams.

Eric was an instant success! In his first year, he set new records for rookies. He had the most rushing attempts (390), most rushing yards (1,808), and most rushing touchdowns (18). He also scored two receiving touchdowns. Because of his amazing performance, he earned many honors. These included All-Pro, Pro Bowl, Player of the Year, and Rookie of the Year.

In his second season, 1984, Eric continued to break records. He became part of the exclusive 2,000-yard club. He rushed for over 100 yards in 12 games, breaking a record held by O. J. Simpson. Eric's total of 2,105 rushing yards in 1984 broke Simpson's 1973 record of 2,003 yards. Even though the NFL season was longer, no one has rushed for more yards in a single NFL season since then. His great playing helped the Rams reach the playoffs in 1984.

In 1985, Eric rushed for 1,234 yards, even though he missed the first two games. He also set a playoff record by rushing for 248 yards against the Dallas Cowboys.

Dickerson (#29) rushing the ball through the Cowboys' defense in the 1985-86 NFC Divisional Playoffs Game

Moving to the Colts (1987–1991)

In 1987, Eric was traded to the Indianapolis Colts. This was one of the biggest trades in NFL history at the time. He joined his former college coach, Ron Meyer, who was now coaching the Colts.

Even though he only played nine games for the Colts that year, he still gained 1,011 yards. This helped the team have their first winning season and reach the playoffs in 10 years.

In 1988, Eric rushed for 1,659 yards. He became the first Colts player since 1955 to lead the league in rushing. In 1989, he rushed for 1,311 yards. That year, he also passed the 10,000-yard mark in his career. He reached this milestone faster than any other player, doing it in just 91 games. By 1989, he had rushed for over 1,000 yards for seven seasons in a row, which was a new NFL record.

However, injuries and other issues affected his last two seasons with the Colts. Eric has said that being traded to Indianapolis was the toughest moment of his career.

Dickerson rushing the ball during his first year with the Colts in 1987

Final Years in the NFL (1992–1993)

In 1992, Eric was traded to the Los Angeles Raiders. He had some great games, rushing for over 100 yards against the Broncos and Chargers. He also scored a 40-yard touchdown run against the Chiefs.

The next year, 1993, Eric was traded to the Atlanta Falcons. He played in a backup role. Later that year, he was traded again to the Green Bay Packers. Eric retired from football after he failed a physical with the Packers. At the time of his retirement, he was the second-leading rusher in NFL history.

On August 29, 2017, Eric Dickerson signed a special one-day contract to officially retire as a member of the Los Angeles Rams.

NFL Career Statistics

Regular Season Stats

Awards and Honors

Eric Dickerson jersey shown at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio

Eric Dickerson was the seventh running back to gain more than 10,000 yards. He was also the fastest to reach this milestone, doing it in just 91 games. During his 11-year career, Eric gained 13,259 rushing yards. This was the second-highest total ever when he retired. He also rushed for 90 touchdowns. He added 2,137 yards and 6 touchdowns from catching passes.

He was chosen for the Pro Bowl six times. He was named All-Pro in 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, and 1988. In 1999, Eric Dickerson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. That same year, The Sporting News ranked him number 38 on their list of the 100 Greatest Football Players.

The Los Angeles Rams retired his jersey number, 29, to honor him. This means no other Rams player will wear that number.

Eric was also inducted into the Indianapolis Colts Ring of Honor in 2013. In 2019, he was chosen as one of twelve running backs for the special National Football League 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. In 2020, he was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame.

Life After Football

After retiring from the NFL, Eric Dickerson continued to be involved in sports. He worked as a sideline reporter for Monday Night Football on ABC during the 2000 and 2001 NFL seasons.

He also worked as a broadcaster for KCBS television in Los Angeles. He provided commentary for NFL pregame and postgame shows in 2007 and 2016.

Eric started a sports memorabilia company called Original Mini Jerseys. He also owns an internet sports company called E Champs.

He has made some appearances on television shows. In 2014, he had a cameo in Hawaii Five-0. In 2017, he was a contestant on the reality show The New Celebrity Apprentice. In 2019, he played a role as LAFD Chief Brinkle in the TV series S.W.A.T..

Since 2017, Eric has been an NFL analyst for Fox Sports' FS1. In 2023, he attended a dinner service on Hell's Kitchen.

See also

• List of National Football League rushing yards leaders
• List of National Football League rushing champions