Eric Dickerson

Eric Demetric Dickerson (born September 2, 1960) is an American former football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons.

Dickerson played college football for the Mustangs of Southern Methodist University and was recognized as an All-American.

His 2,105 total yards rushing beat Simpson's 1973 NFL season record of 2,003 yards (Dickerson having reached 2,007 yards after 15 games), but since the NFL expanded the regular season from 14 to 16 games in 1978, Dickerson had the benefit of playing in two additional games.

No one has since rushed for more yards in a single NFL season.

Initially, Dickerson shared carries with Craig James and Charles Waggoner, all three blue-chip recruits in 1979.

Waggoner was hurt returning a kickoff their freshman season, leaving Dickerson and James to lead SMU's running attack, called the Pony Express.

Dickerson gained 4,450 yards on 790 carries to break Earl Campbell’s Southwest Conference record for yards and attempts.

His 48 career touchdowns tied Doak Walker’s SMU total for career scoring.

In his senior year, despite splitting time with James, Dickerson finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting, behind Herschel Walker and John Elway.

He was also a first-team All-American in 1982 and a second-team All-American in 1981.

He was selected in the first round of the 1983 NFL draft and played professionally for the Los Angeles Rams, Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Raiders, and Atlanta Falcons of the NFL.

During his NFL career, he rushed for over 13,000 yards.

Before the 1983 NFL draft, the Houston Oilers said they would draft Dickerson second if they did not make a trade.

Dickerson’s family opposed him playing for the Oilers — although Dickerson himself was merely cool about doing so — while, like John Elway Dickerson would have flatly refused to play for the Baltimore Colts had they drafted him.

A trade with the Oilers saw the Los Angeles Rams acquire the second pick, which they used to draft Dickerson.

Although he considered going to the Los Angeles Express in the United States Football League, Dickerson ultimately decided to play for the Rams.

An immediate success, he established rookie records for most rushing attempts (390), most rushing yards gained (1,808) and most touchdowns rushing (18), including another two receiving touchdowns.

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 on the NFL record book becoming a member of the 2,000-yard club.

He holds the NFL's single-season rushing record with 2,105 yards, set in 1984.

Twelve times in 1984 he gained more than 100 yards rushing, breaking the record of 100-yard games in a season held by O. J. Simpson.

Dickerson's 5.6 yards per carry led the Rams to a playoff berth in 1984.

Although he rushed for 1,234 yards in 1985 while missing the first two games due to a contract dispute, Dickerson missed the Pro Bowl for the first time in his young NFL career.

He did go on to rush for a playoff record 248 yards against the Dallas Cowboys in post-season play.

The 1985 season marked the beginning of ongoing contract disputes between Dickerson and the Rams.

In 1987, 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 at that time.

In a three-team deal, the Colts traded linebacker Cornelius Bennett, whom they drafted but were unable to sign to a contract, to the Buffalo Bills for their first-round pick in 1988, first- and second-round picks in 1989, and running back Greg Bell.

The Colts in turn traded Bell and the three draft choices from Buffalo plus their own first- and second-round picks in 1988, their second-round pick in 1989, and running back Owen Gill to the Rams for Dickerson.

With the picks the Rams took running back Gaston Green, wide receiver Aaron Cox, linebacker Fred Strickland, running back Cleveland Gary, linebacker Frank Stams, and defensive back Darryl Henley.

Dickerson was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999 and, in 2019, was named to the NFL 100th Anniversary All-Time Team.

He is widely regarded as one of the greatest running backs of all time.

He wore prescription goggles throughout his career due to myopia.

Dickerson committed to Texas A&M before reconsidering and deciding amongst Oklahoma, Southern California and Southern Methodist University (SMU).

His great-great aunt talked him into staying in the state of Texas to attend Southern Methodist University because she liked SMU coach Ron Meyer.

Dickerson was the subject of recruiting controversy when he started driving a new Pontiac Trans Am during his senior year of high school.

According to myth, Dickerson began driving the vehicle about the same time he committed to A&M, and, when he signed with SMU, he purportedly stopped driving the vehicle because it "had been destroyed by a vengeful Aggie".

Ron Meyer famously called the car, the "Trans A&M."

At the time, he said his grandmother from Mexico had purchased it for him.

Dickerson still refuses to answer on whether or not he accepted anything to attend SMU, saying, "Even if I did take something, I still wouldn't tell."

Dickerson later admitted in 2022 that the Trans Am had been purchased by a family member, who was then reimbursed by A&M boosters in an attempt to hide any improprieties, and that he had later sold the car to an SMU teammate.