Eric Dickerson

Eric Dickerson is an American former professional football player who spent 11 seasons as a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for the Los Angeles Rams and Indianapolis Colts. He has also played for the Los Angeles Raiders and Atlanta Falcons.

He holds the NFL's all-time single-season rushing record with 2,105 yards.

Player Profile, High School, and College Career

Eric Demetric Dickerson was born on September 2, 1960, in Sealy, Texas, United States. The Running Back stands 191 cm tall, and his playing weight was listed at 100 kg. Throughout his career, he famously wore prescription sports goggles due to myopia (nearsightedness), which became his trademark look.

He attended Sealy High School, where his exceptional athleticism earned him the attention of major collegiate programs. He elected to stay in-state and play college football for the Southern Methodist University (SMU) Mustangs from 1979 to 1982.

At SMU, Dickerson teamed up with Craig James to form the legendary "Pony Express" backfield. During his 1982 senior season, he was a Unanimous All-American, finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting, and led the Mustangs to an undefeated 11-0-1 record.

He retired as SMU's all-time leading rusher and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2020. SMU honored his number 19 jersey.

Professional Career

Dickerson was selected by the Los Angeles Rams with the second overall pick in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft. He immediately took the league by storm, setting rookie records for rushing attempts (390), rushing yards (1,808), and rushing touchdowns (18), easily securing the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

His 1984 sophomore campaign remains the gold standard for running backs. Dickerson shattered O.J. Simpson's single-season rushing record by accumulating an astonishing 2,105 yards—a record that still stands today.

He was incredibly explosive late in games, earning the nickname "Mr. Fourth Quarter."

During his tenure with the Rams, he also set the NFL record for the most rushing yards in a single playoff game (248 yards against the Dallas Cowboys in 1985).

In 1987, after a contract dispute, Dickerson was traded to the Indianapolis Colts in one of the biggest blockbuster deals in NFL history. He continued to dominate in Indianapolis, winning his fourth rushing title in 1988.

He spent his final two seasons with the Los Angeles Raiders (1992) and the Atlanta Falcons (1993) before retiring. He amassed 13,259 career rushing yards, 90 rushing touchdowns, and was a six-time Pro Bowler.

Dickerson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999 and had his number 29 jersey retired by the Rams.

Retirement

Following his retirement from playing, Dickerson ventured into broadcasting and business. He worked as a sideline reporter for Monday Night Football and as an NFL analyst for FOX Sports.

He has also been a successful entrepreneur and established the Eric Dickerson Foundation, an organization dedicated to providing opportunities and resources to disadvantaged youth through sports and education.

Career Highlights:

• 1986 – NFL Offensive Player of the Year
• 1983 – NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
• 1983, 1984, 1986–1988 – 5× First-team All-Pro
• 6× Pro Bowl selection
• 1983, 1984, 1986, 1988 – 4× NFL rushing yards leader
• NFL Career Record: Most rushing yards in a single season (2,105)
• NFL Career Record: Most rushing yards in a playoff game (248)
• NFL 1980s All-Decade Team
• NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team
• 1999 Pro Football Hall of Fame Inductee