Eric Dickerson

American football player

Born: September 2, 1960

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Who is Eric Dickerson?

Eric Demetric Dickerson (born September 2, 1960) is an American former professional football player who was a running back for 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the SMU Mustangs, earning unanimous All-American honors in 1982. Dickerson committed to Texas A&M University before reconsidering and deciding amongst the University of Oklahoma, University of Southern California and Southern Methodist University (SMU). Dickerson was selected second overall in the 1983 NFL draft by the Los Angeles Rams, and later played for the Indianapolis Colts, Los Angeles Raiders, and Atlanta Falcons. During his NFL career, he rushed for over 13,000 yards. He wore prescription goggles throughout his career due to myopia.

Dickerson set the NFL rushing record in 1984 while earning many awards

Historical significance

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

Dickerson (#29) rushing the ball through the Cowboys' defense in the 1985-86 NFC Divisional Playoffs Game

Sources and further reading

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Wikipedia source

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MLA

“Eric Dickerson.” thisDay, thisday.info/people/eric-dickerson/. Accessed 12 Oct. 2026.

APA

Eric Dickerson. (n.d.). thisDay. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://thisday.info/people/eric-dickerson/

Chicago

“Eric Dickerson.” thisDay. Accessed October 12, 2026. https://thisday.info/people/eric-dickerson/.

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