Eric Dickerson

2007 CALIFORNIA SPORTS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEE

Considered by many to be one of the most exciting running backs ever to play the game, Eric Dickerson set unprecedented records in his eleven seasons as a professional football player. From the sandlots to Sealy, Texas, to the battlefields of the NFL, Dickerson gave the sport everything he had.

Truly a small town Texas boy, Dickerson chose to stay close to home for college, becoming a four-year letterman and two-time All American at Southern Methodist University. Selected in the first round of the 1983 NFL Draft by the Los Angeles Rams he became an immediate success, establishing rookie records for mot rushing attempts (390), most rushing yards gained (1,808) and most rushing touchdowns (18). His efforts earned him All-Pro, Pro Bowl, Player of the Year and Rookie of the Year honors.

In 1984, 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, an honor Dickerson considers his Super Bowl, shattered Simpson's 1973 record of 2,003 yards rushing in a single season.

A workhorse runner with the Rams, Dickerson gained more than 1,000 yards each of hi 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 NFL career. He did, however, go on to rush for a playoff record 248 yards against the Dallas Cowboys in post-season play and added the NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 1986.

In 1987, Dickerson was traded to the Indianapolis Colts in a blockbuster trade. 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 yards. In 1988, Dickerson, with 1,659 yards rushing, became the first Colt to lead the league in rushing since Alan Ameche in 1955. During his 4-1/2 years with the Colts, he led the team to two playoff appearances.

Overall Dickerson stands third on the career rushing list with 13,259 yards, having rushed for more than 1,000 yards seven times. When he was then traded to the Los Angeles Raiders, he moved into second place as the all-time leading rusher in football. In 1999, his first year of eligibility, Dickerson was voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Currently Dickerson devotes his time to his company, Dickerson Sports Management, assisting young players as well as remaining very active in the Big Brothers organization.