Eric Dickerson shattered NFL rushing records and redefined the running back position with his unmatched combination of size, speed, and signature goggles.
ERIC DICKERSON
Football Bio
September 2, 1960 – Eric Dickerson, the former NFL rushing leader who played for the Rams, Colts, Raiders, and Falcons over his very productive 11-year pro career.
He played his college ball at Southern Methodist University in a very talented backfield that included Craig James and Charles Wagner.
He finished third in the 1979 Heisman voting behind Herschel Walker and John Elway, not bad company to finish third behind. [National Football Foundation]
And as a pro in just his second season, he beat OJ Simpson’s record for yards rushing in a season, putting up an astounding 2,105 yards on the ground.
Dickerson is also credited with being the fastest NFL rusher to reach 10,000 yards in his career.
The prolific rusher was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in the induction class of 1999.
Dickerson cemented his legacy as one of the most dominant runners in football history, leaving behind a single-season rushing record that remains unbroken decades later.
The Football Fix: The “Pony Express” and the 1982 Heisman
While the provided text mentions the 1979 Heisman voting, Dickerson actually finished third in the famous 1982 Heisman race behind Georgia’s Herschel Walker and Stanford’s John Elway. During his time at SMU, Dickerson and Craig James formed the legendary “Pony Express” backfield, one of the most unstoppable rushing duos in NCAA history. The two combined for an incredible 4,495 rushing yards over their final two collegiate seasons.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- Pro Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 1999.
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2020.
- NFL Single-Season Rushing Record: 2,105 yards (Set in 1984 and still stands).
- Fastest to 10,000 Rushing Yards: Achieved in just 91 games (tied with Jim Brown for fewest games, though Dickerson reached it in fewer carries).
- NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year: 1983.
- NFL Offensive Player of the Year: 1986.
- Pro Bowl & All-Pro: 6ร Pro Bowler and 5ร First-team All-Pro.
- NFL Rushing Leader: 4ร NFL rushing yards leader (1983, 1984, 1986, 1988).
- Heisman Trophy Finalist: Finished 3rd in the 1982 voting.
Los Angeles Rams running back Eric Dickerson rushing the ball against the Cleveland Browns during a September 9, 1984 home game at Anaheim Stadium.
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