#29: Eric Dickerson, Running Back
OTD: January 4, 1986: @EricDickerson Runs Over The Cowboys And Into The Record Books https://t.co/24Z7bvfusN
— NFL Alumni (@NFLAlumni) January 4, 2017
Eric Dickerson wasted no time letting everyone know who he was going to be the best player to wear number 29 upon entering the NFL. The second overall pick in the 1983 NFL draft by the Los Angeles Rams ran for 1,808 yards and 18 touchdowns(20 total), easily earning him the NFL Rookie of the Year honors. Apparently Dickerson wasn’t satisfied with those numbers though, as he used his second year to break numerous records. In 1984 Dickerson ran for 2,105 yards, an NFL record that still stands today. Then in 1985 he broke the NFL record for rushing yards in a playoff game when he took the Dallas Cowboys for 248 yards.
“I think the one (record) I look at most and means the most to me is my rookie rushing record. You get one shot at that. You don’t get several. You don’t get 10. You get one.”- Eric Dickerson via profootballhof.com
After being nothing short of spectacular for the Rams, contract disputes saw Dickerson leave town via trade to the Colts; one of the biggest trades in NFL history. With the Colts, he became the quickest player to reach the 10,000 yard mark, doing so in 91 games. Yeah that’s quicker than Jim Brown(98 games), Barry Sanders(103 games), Emmitt Smith(106 games) and LaDainian Tomlinson(106 games). His speed was just too much for opposing defenses.
After seeing injuries, suspensions and contract disputes disrupt his torrid pace toward the end of his career, he retired holding numerous rushing records. Dickerson was invited to join the crew in Canton in 1999, finishing his career with 13,259 rushing yards and 90 rushing touchdowns.
Honorable Mention: Harold Jackson
