Eric Dickerson is a former professional American football player. He was a running back during his 11-year NFL career which spanned through the 1980s and early 1990s. Before turning pro in 1983, Dickerson had an illustrious college football career at Southern Methodist University. He was drafted 2nd overall in the 1983 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams. He also played for other NFL teams Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Raiders, and Atlanta Falcons. In 1999, he was honored for all his hard work by being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Dickerson has since delved into sportscasting and he also runs a sports memorabilia company.
Eric Dickerson Biography
Eric Demetri Dickerson was born on September 2, 1960, in Sealy, Texas to Helen Dickerson and Richard Seal. He had his high school education at Sealy High School in Austin County, Texas. In his senior year, he was the star of the school’s football team which earned him the attention of several college recruiters. Amid several controversies, he eventually chose Southern Methodist University (SMU) for his college career.
During his 4-year college football career, Dickerson gained 4,450 yards on 790 carries setting the Southwest Conference record for yards and attempts. He also scored a total of 48 touchdowns which tied SMU’s record of total career touchdowns. His outstanding performance earned him second-team All-American and first-team All-American honors in his junior and senior years respectively.
Career
Eric Dickerson was selected by the Los Angeles Rams as the second overall pick of the 1983 NFL Draft. He had an explosive rookie season during which he set the NFL rookie records for most rushing attempts (390), most rushing yards gained (1,808) and most rushing touchdowns (18), in addition to 2 receiving touchdowns. His performance earned him Player of the Year, NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year, All-Pro, and Pro Bowl honors.
Dickerson continued in his sublime form in the 1984 season during which he reached the 2,000-yard milestone and also broke O. J. Simpson‘s single-season record of most 100-yard games (12). His 2,105 total rushing yards for that season remains the highest in the history of the NFL. He remained topnotch throughout his over 4-year stint with the Los Angeles Rams though he parted ways with the team under controversial circumstances. After playing the first 3 games of the 1987 season with the LA Rams, he was traded to the Indianapolis Colts.
For the remaining part of the 1987 season, Dickerson gained 1,011 yards in 9 appearances for the Colts and helped the team reach the playoffs for the first time in 10 years. In the 1989 season, he became the fastest player to reach the 10,000-yard mark after reaching the feat in 91 career games. The 1989 season equally marked his seventh consecutive season of more than 1000 rushing yards. In his last 2 seasons (1990-91) with the Colts, Dickerson got embroiled in several controversies which resulted in a decline in his performance. He was traded to the Los Angeles Raiders in April 1992 and after one season, he was traded to the Atlanta Falcons where he spent the 1993 season, the last of his career.
Overall, the 1980s marked the highlight of Eric Dickerson’s entire professional career. He led the NFL in rushing yards for 4 seasons (1983, 1984, 1986, 1988), was named the NFL Offensive Player of the Year (1986), earned 6 Pro Bowl selections (1983, 1984, 1986–1989), and 5 First-team All-Pro selections (1983, 1984, 1986–1988). He has since been named to the NFL 1980s All-Decade Team. In 1999, Dickerson was honored with an induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. His Los Angeles Rams No. 29 jerseys has since been retired and he was also inducted into the Indianapolis Colts Ring of Honor in December 2013.
Since retiring from the NFL, Eric Dickerson has pursued a career in sports broadcasting. Among several other successful gigs, the former NFL star joined Fox Sports’ FS1 channel as an analyst in August 2017. He is a co-founder of ‘Original Mini Jerseys’, a sports memorabilia company that he established alongside former teammate LeRoy Irvin.
Eric Dickerson Family
Growing up, Eric Dickerson was raised by his great-great-aunt Viola Dickerson. His mother Helen Dickerson was a teenager when she had him and thus, she opted to hand him over to her relatives. He was made to believe that his biological mother was his sister till he became a teenager. Despite not having him present in his life, Dickerson has some crucial similarities with his biological father Richard Seal. Just like his famous son, Seal was also a standout athlete in his own prime as he played running back at Prairie View College in Texas.
Wife, Daughter
Eric Dickerson is in a long-term relationship with his partner Penny Sutton. It remains uncertain when the two first got together however, their romance has lasted for a very long while. It is also believed in some quarters that they are got married but it appears not to be so. The couple has 2 children together; a daughter named Keri (born 2005) and a son named Dallis (born 2012). Dickerson also has an adult daughter Erica Dickerson (born 1988) from a prior relationship.
Height and Other Body Measurements
Eric Dickerson stands at an impressive height of 6 feet 3 inches (191 cm). He maintains a trim physique at a bodyweight of 100 kg (220 lb). He has the eye condition myopia which necessitated him to wear prescription goggles all through his career.
