Watch My Smoke: The Eric Dickerson Story

(Paperback)

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His style was iconic, and vintage 80s: aviator goggles, Jheri curls, neck roll, boxy pads.For the first time, Dickerson is telling his story. And hes not holding anything back.

Eric Dickerson is the greatest player in Los Angeles Rams history and the NFLs single season record holder for most rushing yards. In 2019, Dickerson was named to the National Football Leagues 100th Anniversary All-Time Team. With an elegant upright running style that produced some of footballs most-watched highlights, it was said he was so smooth you couldnt hear his pads clack as he glided past you.

Cant he just shut up and run

Its time to reexamine how Eric Dickerson was portrayed.

includes sixteen photographs

Reviews

"There was no runner quite like Eric, and, it turns out, there's no author like him either. His life story has page after page of 'wow!' moments and he's one of the best storytellers I've ever been around. Eric looked effortless as a runner, gliding through the defense. When I read his book I got the same feeling: The pages seemed to turn themselves. His story, from his account, reflects where we are today as a society: Divided, uncomfortable. People have to do a self-awareness check to determine who they are and where they stand on fundamental principles. Eric's story is his experience people have to reckon with it, and nobody can deny it until they walk or run a mile in his shoes." Emmitt Smith "Dickerson scores points in his takedown of a system, then and now, that chews players up and spits them out.Kirkus "Watch My Smokeis the story of a great athlete who deals with the problematic parts of sports and celebrity, and who does so in an open, memorable way."Foreword Reviews "Eric Dickerson has never shied away from telling the truth: About life in the NFL, about being a Black celebrity, about racism. You might not like what he's saying, but you know its true. Straight drink, no chaser."Lawrence Taylor "A strong sports memoir,Watch My Smokebalances biography and perspective with on-the-field action, making you feel what its like to compete at the highest level of sports. Ive never felt closer to the fieldand happier to be just a spectatorthan through Dickersons in-game encounter with legendary New York Giants linebacker Lawrence Taylor. Theres self-aware humor (the first Eric Dickerson recruiting war) and Dickersons appreciation of the look of sports, which includes a terrific chapter about his singular sense of style when it comes to uniforms."New City Lit "Eric was one of the most graceful running backs ever to play in the NFL. Its refreshing to know that as a writer and a friend, his integrity and sense of humor equals or surpasses that grace!"Clyde Drexler "Honestly, I hated watching Eric run maybe thats because he was a Ram and I was a 49er. But seriously, his style and grace were unique, and his upright running style, while criticized by many was damn fun to watch. Now that were friends, I can finally stomach watching old footage of him tearing us apart.Watch My Smokeis a great read. Its the book football fans deserve about one of historys greatest runners, and more importantly, my friend."Joe Montana "Eric is a lot like me: He's straight to the point and he tells you what he thinks, even if it's something you don't want to hear. We played in different eras but after meeting Eric I realized the similarities in our upbringings. I appreciate his friendship along with his straightforward and downhill approach with this book which was the same approach as when he had the ball in his hands. Want to know the real Eric DickersonRead Watch My Smoke."Terrell Owens "In all the years I have known Eric Dickerson as a friend, and as an incredible Hall of Fame Football Player. I was stunned as he was revealing the level of racism that he encountered early in his life and how he rose above those circumstances. Eric sharing is the strength we need so our world can be changed going forward. Think about it, Eric's overcome every obstacle and still our country is affected by racism. My friend, I love you and I think you for sharing your innermost thoughts,Watch My Smokeis courageous."Nancy Lieberman As a newspaper columnist in Dallas, I spent a lot of time around Eric Dickersons SMU teams and always considered him a mysterious figure. Now, readingWatch My Smoke, I realize he was a shy kid from small-town Sealy, Texas wary of the mostly white media and haunted by the racism he experienced throughout his career. Now he spills it all in a book that reads nearly as fast as he was. Prepare for a jaw-dropper every other page.Skip Bayless "As a running back, Eric Dickerson never tiptoed or showed any fear. As an author, hes the exact same way: Fearless, and tough enough to take on any issue. Hes been one of my best friends since 1983, so I know that Eric will always tell you the truth."Rickey Jackson

Author Bio

Eric Dickerson is a Hall of Fame NFL running back and the greatest player in Los Angeles Rams history. He owns the single season rushing yards record, footballs most hallowed mark, with 2,105 in 1984, and he accumulated 10,000 career rushing yards faster than any runner in league history. Born and raised in Sealy, Texas, Eric became the countrys top recruit as a high school senior and committed to Southern Methodist University, where he anchored the famous Pony Express backfield. He is currently an analyst for FS1 and joined the Rams front office as Vice President of Business Development. He lives in Los Angeles. Greg Hanlonis an editor at People magazine who has written forSports Illustrated,The New York Times, The New York Times Magazine and Slate. His writing has been anthologized inThe Best American Sports Writing. He was a 2015 finalist in national reporting for The Livingston Awards for Young Journalists. He lives in New Jersey.