Eric Dickerson has his No. 29 jersey retired by the Rams but he will sign a one-day contract to officially retire with the Los Angeles franchise, the team announced Monday.
Dickerson, who was drafted by the Los Angeles Rams No. 2 overall in the 1983 NFL Draft, ranks seventh on the NFL’s all-time rushing list with 13,259 yards and has rushed for more than 100 yards 64 times, which ranks third on the NFL’s all-time record list.
“It feels amazing to sign this contract and officially be a Los Angeles Ram for life,” Dickerson said in a statement. “My passion for this organization during my playing days and for the players wearing Rams jerseys now, is undeniable.
“This is where my career started and this is where my heart is, so closing this chapter with the Rams back in Los Angeles feels right. I would like to thank Stan Kroenke and the Rams for this opportunity and all of the fans for their outpouring support over the years.”
Dickerson, who spent his first four seasons in L.A., played his final NFL game in 1993 with the Falcons and retired as the second-leading rusher of all-time after failing a physical with the Packers.
“While Eric has always been a member of the Rams family, we believe that it was time to officially cement his legacy as a member of the Los Angeles Rams, as his accomplishments and contributions to our franchise deserve to be celebrated and remembered forever,” Rams chief operating officer Kevin Demoff said in a statement.
“We are proud to honor the Hall of Fame career of Eric Dickerson with his family and Rams fans everywhere.”
Dickerson apparently has made peace with the organization which he said banned him from the sidelines for criticizing Jeff Fisher and the team last year.
