Eric Dickerson

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This article is about the former college and pro football running back. For the auto dealer and politician from Indianapolis, see Eric Dickerson (politician)

Eric Dickerson
Date of birth	September 2, 1960
Place of birth	Sealy, TX
Position(s)	Running back
College	Southern Methodist
NFL Draft	1983 / Round 1/ Pick 2
Pro Bowls	6
Awards	1986 AP Offensive Player of the Year 1986 UPI NFC Offensive MVP 1984 UPI NFC Offensive MVP 1983 AP Offensive Rookie of the Year 1983 UPI NFC Offensive MVP 1983 UPI NFC Rookie of the Year
Honors	NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
Retired #s	St. Louis Rams #29
Records	NFL Rushing Yards in a Single Season (2,105)
Statistics	Pro Football Reference DatabaseFootball
Team(s)
1983-1987 1987-1991 1992 1993	Los Angeles Rams Indianapolis Colts Los Angeles Raiders Atlanta Falcons
Pro Football Hall of Fame, 1999

Eric Dickerson (born September 2, 1960 in Sealy, Texas) was a professional running back in the National Football League (NFL) who in his career played for the Los Angeles Rams, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Raiders, and Atlanta Falcons.

[edit] Pro Football career

[edit] Los Angeles Rams

Dickerson, a two-time All-America choice at Southern Methodist University where he formed the "Pony Express" backfield with Craig James, was selected in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams, 2nd overall. An immediate pro success, he established rookie records for most rushing attempts (390), most rushing yards gained (1,808) and most touchdowns rushing (18). His efforts earned him All-Pro, Pro Bowl, Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year honors.

In his second season, Dickerson continued his onslaught of the NFL record book. Twelve times during that season he gained more than 100 yards rushing, breaking the record of 100-yard games in a season held by O.J. Simpson. His 2,105 total yards rushing in 1984 shattered Simpson’s 1973 record of 2,003 yards rushing in a single season. Nobody to this date has more rushing yards in a single season.

At 6 foot 3 and 218 pounds with blazing speed,(ran the 100-meter dash in 10.3 seconds) Dickerson was a workhorse runner with the Rams. Dickerson gained more than 1,000 yards each of his first four seasons with the team. In three of those seasons he gained more than 1,800 yards. Although he rushed for 1,234 yards in 1985, he missed the Pro Bowl for the first time in his short NFL career. He did, however, go on to rush for a playoff record 248 yards against the Dallas Cowboys in post-season play.

[edit] Indianapolis Colts

1985 marked the beginning of on-going contract disputes between Dickerson and the Rams, and after playing just three games for the Rams during the strike-shortened 1987 season, Dickerson was traded to the Indianapolis Colts in one of the NFL's biggest trades ever, the Blockbuster Trade on Halloween 1987, a three-way deal between the Rams, the Buffalo Bills and the Colts which saw the Rams receive RB Greg Bell, three 1st round picks, the Bills receive LB Cornelius Bennett and the Colts getting Dickerson. Although he played in just nine games with the Colts that year, he still managed to gain 1,011 yards to finish the season with 1,288.

In 1988, Dickerson, with 1,659 yards rushing, became the first Colt to lead the league in rushing since Alan Ameche in 1955. This would mark the apogee of Dickerson's career with the Colts (although he would gain 1,311 yards rushing in 1989). Injuries, further contract disputes and suspensions clouded his final 2 seasons with the Colts.

[edit] LA Raiders/ATL Falcons/GB Packers

In 1992, Dickerson was traded to the Raiders and experienced a revival of sorts, leading the team in rushing attempts and yards. The following season, Eric played for the Falcons in a backup role, making his final national televised appearance during the Monday Night Football game on September 27, 1993 when the Falcons hosted the Pittsburgh Steelers in a losing effort. The Atlanta Falcons traded Dickerson and third-year cornerback Bruce Pickens to the Green Bay Packers for running back John Stephens on October 13, 1993.

The trade came a week after Dickerson said he had been told that the Falcons were waiving him because Coach Jerry Glanville wanted to use younger players. The next day, Falcons officials said that there had been a misunderstanding and that Dickerson had not been placed on waivers. Dickerson retired as the 2nd leading rusher of all-time after failing a physical with the Packers.

[edit] Honors

Dickerson became the seventh back to gain more than 10,000 yards and the fastest ever to do so, reaching the milestone in just 91 games. During his 11-year career, Dickerson gained 13,259 yards rushing, which was second all-time at the time of his retirement, and rushed for 90 touchdowns. He gained another 2,137 yards and 6 touchdowns on 281 pass receptions. A six-time Pro Bowl selection, Dickerson was All-Pro in 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987 and 1988.

[edit] After Pro Football

In 1999, he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, and was ranked number 38 on The Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players. The following year, he provided on-field commentary during Monday Night Football broadcasts.

As of the 2005 football season, Dickerson was working as a broadcaster for KCBS television in Los Angeles, providing commentary for that station's NFL pregame and postgame shows.

[edit] Trivia

Note: Eric is an unlockable legend in the video game NFL Street 2

[edit] External links

• Pro Football Hall of Fame: Member profile
• Ericdickerson29.com