PRO FOOTBALL HALL OF FAME MEMBER
#29 Eric Dickerson - RB
Eric Dickerson Career NFL Stats 1983-1993
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TOTTD
Eric Dickerson Childhood
Eric Dickerson was born on September 2, 1960. He was raised in his hometown of Sealy, TX by his great aunt, who he believed was his mother before finding out otherwise as a teenager. At that time he found out the woman he believed was his sister was his biological mother. The future hall of famer began football play at an early age and by middle school, Dickerson's talents was known throughout Sealy.
Eric Dickerson High School Stats and Awards
Eric Dickerson was a multi-sport star athlete at Sealy High School. He excelled at both track and field and football. He won two state track and field championships in 1977. In 1978, his senior year, Dickerson ran for 2,667 yards and led the Sealy Tigers to the state title. He ran for a then state high school championship record 296 yards in the win, capping off a stellar 15-0 season. Dickerson would continue playing football in college by accepting an athletic scholarship to Southern Methodist University (SMU).
1st Team: 1983, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1988
Pro Bowl Selections
Rushing Titles
NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year (1983)
Member of 1980s All-Decade Team
Member of NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team
Eric Dickerson College Career Stats and Notes
At SMU, Dickerson was part of the Mustang's Pony Express, a three headed monster in the backfield leading their rushing attack. Dickerson blossomed out of the three tailbacks, with his rushing totals increasing every year. By his junior year, he was considered one of the best in the nation. After piling up 1,428 yards and 19 touchdowns his junior year, he earned second team All-American honors. By the end of his senior year and SMU career, he had set SWAC rushing records with 790 carries and 4,450 rushing yards and tied for most total TDs at 48. He received First Team All-American honors as well. His senior year performance also made him a Heisman Trophy finalist. He would finish 3rd in voting.
Eric Dickerson NFL Career Stats and Notes
The Los Angeles Rams selected Eric Dickerson second overall in the 1983 NFL Draft. In his rookie year Dickerson hit the ground running. His long strides gave a deceptive look of his blazing speed as all he did was gash defenses over and over. So much so, he set a NFL rookie rushing record with 1,808 yards. In 1984, Eric outdid that historic performance by setting another NFL record, rushing for 2,105 yards in a season, one that still stands today. He shattered O.J. Simpson's record of 2,003 yards which was set in 1973.
After two record breaking seasons to start his career, Dickerson continued to roll through the league spearheading the Rams' rushing attack. However, in a mega three-team trade, the Rams sent Dickerson to the Indianapolis Colts for several players and draft picks in 1987. He would again lead the league in rushing in 1988 with 1,659 yards. After several more years with the Colts he would be traded to the Los Angeles Raiders in 1992. He then retired after the 1993 season with the Atlanta Falcons. He left as the NFL's second all-time leading rusher at 13,259 yards, behind Walter Payton.
Eric Dickerson 1985 NFC Divisional Playoff Game vs. Cowboys
While Dickerson had some monster performances during his first two seasons, it was a playoff matchup against the Dallas Cowboys that sticks out as one of his greatest games. In the 1985 NFC Divisional Round, the Los Angeles Rams pounded the Cowboys 20-0. The shutout was impressive by the Rams' defense, however Dickerson powered the offense to the tune of an NFL playoff record 248 rushing yards. He added TD runs of 55 and 40 to help the Rams advance to the NFC championship game. The Rams would lose that game to the eventual Super Bowl XX champion Chicago Bears.
Eric Dickerson Season Stats
List of Pro Football Hall of Fame Members
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