Curtis Dickey

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Curtis Dickey
No. 27, 33
Position:
Bryan (TX)
College:Texas A&M (1976-1979)
NFL draft:1980 / Round: 1 / Pick: 5
Career history
Career highlights and awards
  • Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame (1988)
  • Southwest Conference Hall of Fame (2018)[1]
Career NFL statistics
Rushing yards:4,019
Rushing average:4.3
Rushing touchdowns:32
Receptions:134
Receiving yards:1,577
Receiving touchdowns:8
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Curtis Raymond Dickey (born November 27, 1956) is an American former professional football running back who played in the National Football League (NFL) for seven seasons, spending most of his career with the Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts before finishing his career with the Cleveland Browns. He played college football at Texas A&M University.

Early life

Curtis Dickey was born on November 27, 1956 in

Bryan High School where he was a multi-sport star in football, basketball, and track. Dickey was a Texas All-State selection in football in both his junior and senior years.[3][4] After his 1976 senior season, Dickey was considered the number one high school football prospect in the country. Although he was courted by other programs, Dickey chose to stay in his hometown to play football for Texas A&M University.[2]

College career

Dickey was a two-sport athlete at Texas A&M University, earning varsity letters in all four years as a running back in football and a sprinter on the track team.[5]

Football

Dickey excelled on the football field, finishing his Texas A&M career with the then-record for all-time rushing yards[6] (currently, the second most all-time rushing yards).[5] His college career stats included 697 rushes for 3,703 yards for a 5.3 yard average and 31 touchdowns.[7]

In his freshman season (1976), Dickey and George Woodard led a dual backfield that propelled the Aggies to a 10-2 record and a #7 rank in the final AP poll. Texas A&M appeared in the 1976 Sun Bowl, defeating Florida 37-14.[7] The following season, the dual-threat attack of Woodard and Dickey continued to produce, but the Aggies finished the season 8-4 and lost to USC in the Bluebonnet Bowl. Dickey's junior season was his best statistical season at Texas A&M. He led the team in rushing with 1,146 yards and nine touchdowns. The Aggies earned a bid to the Hall of Fame Classic, where Dickey set a bowl game record with 276 rushing yards.[5] Texas A&M defeated Iowa State 28-12.[7] Dickey was plagued by injuries during his senior season, but still led the team with 853 rushing yards and nine touchdowns. The Aggies went 6-5 and did not make a bowl appearance.[7]

In 1988, Dickey was elected to the Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame[5]

College football statistics

Texas A&M Aggies
Year Team Games Rushing Receiving
GP Att Yds Avg TD Rec Yds Avg TD
1976 Texas A&M 11 142 726 5.1 8 13 146 11.2 0
1977 Texas A&M 11 178 978 5.5 5 17 231 13.6 1
1978 Texas A&M 11 205 1,146 5.6 9 6 69 11.5 0
1979 Texas A&M 11 172 853 5.0 9 6 50 8.3 0
Career 44 697 3,703 5.3 31 42 496 11.8 1

Track and field

As a world-class sprinter, Dickey won the

55 meters. At the 1980 Southwest Texas Indoor Track and Field Championship, Dickey finished second behind Herkie Walls in the 60-yard dash (55 meters).[9]

In February 1980, Dickey won the U.S. National Indoor Track and Field Championship in the 60-yard dash, posting a time of 6.09 seconds.[10]

Prior to the

1980 NFL Draft, there was speculation that Dickey may forego the draft to train for the 1980 Summer Olympics.[2] However, the United States boycotted the games and Dickey entered the draft.[11]

Professional career

Dickey was selected by the

1980 NFL Draft
.

Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts (1980-1985)

1980 season

In his rookie season, Dickey played in 15 games after missing the season opener. Dickey led the Colts in rushing with 800 yards and scored a total of 13 touchdowns (11 rushing, two receiving), tied for most in the AFC. From week nine against the Kansas City Chiefs to week 15 against the Miami Dolphins, Dickey had seven consecutive games where he scored a touchdown. His first career start came in week 12 against the New England Patriots where he also earned his first career 100-yard rushing game.[6] He finished that game with 16 carries for 102 yards and two touchdowns.[12]

Dickey set several Colts rookie records. His 13 total touchdowns was the most ever scored by a rookie, while his 11 rushing touchdowns were a rookie record and tied him with Tom Matte and Lydell Mitchell as franchise records.[6] He also became only the third ever rookie to lead the Colts in rushing, with Alan Ameche and Norm Bulaich having done it before him.[6]

Although Dickey had a record-setting rookie season, the Colts finished 7-9 and missed the playoffs.[13]

1981 season

In 1981, the Colts fared worse with a 2-14 record. Their only wins came in the first and last weeks of the regular season, both against the New England Patriots.

Dickey continued to performed well despite the team's poor record. He started 15 games, only missing one game due to injury. Dickey again led the Colts in rushing with 779 yards and was the team's leading scorer with 60 points from 10 total touchdowns (seven rushing, three receiving).[14] The Colts used a two-pronged rushing attack of Dickey and rookie fullback Randy McMillan, who combined for 1,376 rushing yards and 14 total touchdowns.[15]

Dickey's combined 23 touchdowns were the most ever in Colts history in a player's first two seasons.[14]

1982 season

The 1982 NFL season was shorted to a nine-game schedule due to a player's strike. Dickey's season was also cut short due to injuries. He appeared in eight games, with six starts.[16] Dickey still finished the season as the Colts' third-leading rusher, behind McMillan and Zach Dixon, and tied for second on the team with 21 receptions. He finished with one touchdown, which he earned in week 16 against the San Diego Chargers.[17]

The Colts ended the strike-shortened season with an 0-8-1 record, tying in week 15 against the

AFL-NFL merger
to finish a regular season with a winless record.

1983 season

In 1983, the Colts rebounded from their abysmal 1982 showing to a 7-9 record. Dickey also had a comeback season, starting all 16 games and had his most productive season in the NFL. He was the Colts leading rusher for the third time in four years, with 1,222 yards, and also was the team's leading receiving with 483 yards. He recorded four rushing touchdowns and three receiving touchdowns.[19] The rushing duo of Dickey and McMillan led the AFC in rushing and was second-best in the NFL.[19]

Following the 1983 season, Dickey began negotiating with the Houston Gamblers to switch to the upstart United States Football League due to a contract dispute with the Colts.[20] However, Dickey decided to remain in the NFL and signed a new five-year contract to stay with the Colts. Later in the offseason, the team moved from Baltimore to Indianapolis, and Dickey joined them in their new city.

1984 season

Expectations were high for Dickey's 1984 season. However, it was cut short by a knee injury. He missed six total games and ended the season on the injured reserve list before undergoing off-season arthroscopic surgery.[21]

Dickey was productive when he was on the field, with 523 rushing yards and three rushing touchdowns. His best game of the season came in week three against the St. Louis Cardinals, where he had 23 rushes for 121 yards and one rushing touchdown while also throwing for a 63-yard touchdown reception to wide receiver Tracy Porter.[21]

The Colts ended the season at 4-12, missing the playoffs for the seventh consecutive season. This was Dickey's last full season as a member of the Colts.

1985 season

Dickey's knee injuries suffered in the 1984 season lingered into 1985, and he opened the season on the injured reserve list. He missed the first six weeks of the 1985 season before making his debut against the Buffalo Bills in week seven.[22] Dickey came off the bench in that game, only recording three rushes for 11 yards.[23]

Following the Colts' week 12 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs, Dickey was cut on November 25, 1985. Colts head coach Rod Dowhower cited a poor attitude as the reason for Dickey's mid-season release.[24]

Dickey left the team as its then-fifth leading rusher in franchise history with 3,490 yards across six seasons.[24]

Cleveland Browns (1985-1986)

The day following his release by the Colts, Dickey was claimed by the Cleveland Browns.[25]

1985 season

Dickey only appeared in one game with the Browns during the remainder of the 1985 regular season, recording two carries for six yards.[26] He also recorded six rushes for 28 yards in the Browns' Divisional Round playoff loss to the Miami Dolphins.[27]

1986 season

In 1986, Dickey helped contribute to the Browns' 12-4 team. Dickey was relegated to backup role behind

1986 AFC Championship Game, where they lost 20-23 in overtime to the Denver Broncos
.

Following the 1986 season, Dickey was cut by the Browns.[28]

Professional statistics

Year Team Games Rushing Receiving
GP GS Att Yds Avg Lng TD Rec Yds Avg Lng TD
1980 BAL 15 5 176 800 4.5 51 11 25 204 8.2 32 2
1981 BAL 15 15 164 779 4.8 67 7 37 419 11.3 50 3
1982 BAL 8 6 66 232 3.5 25 1 21 228 10.9 34 0
1983 BAL 16 16 254 1,122 4.4 56 4 24 483 20.1 72 3
1984 IND 10 9 131 523 4.0 30 3 14 135 9.6 33 0
1985 IND 1 0 2 6 3.0 5 0 0 0 0.0 0 0
CLE 6 0 9 34 3.8 11 0 3 30 10.0 11 0
1986 CLE 14 10 135 523 3.9 47 6 10 78 7.8 12 0
Career 85 61 937 4,019 4.3 67 32 134 1,577 11.8 72 8

Personal life

Dickey returned to College Station, Texas after his football career ended, where he worked in the community. His nephew is former NFL player Ty Warren.[citation needed]

References

  1. ^ "Bryan High and Texas A&M product Curtis Dickey to be inducted into TSHOF 2018 Southwest Conference Class". KBTX. July 3, 2018. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Moses, Sam (November 19, 1979). "The Dickey Dilemma". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  3. ^ Powell, Putt (January 10, 1975). "Putting Around". The Amarillo Globe-Times. Retrieved March 22, 2024 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Dickey, Hagerty top chips". Austin American-Statesman. Associated Press. January 11, 1976 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b c d "Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame - Curtis Dickey". Texas A&M Athletics. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d "1981 Baltimore Colts media guide". Colts.com. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  7. ^ a b c d "Curtis Dickey". Sports Reference CFB. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  8. ^ Tarpley, Jeff (July 5, 2018). "A&M's Dickey named to Southwest Conference Hall of Fame". 247sports.com. Retrieved October 30, 2021.
  9. Newspapers.com
    .
  10. ^ "Coghlan Breaks All-Comers Record". The Opelika-Auburn News. March 2, 1980. p. 18. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  11. ^ Rosen, Byron (July 31, 1980). "Dickey, Colts Not Even Close". The Washington Post. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  12. ^ "Baltimore Colts at New England Patriots - November 23rd, 1980". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  13. ^ "1980 Baltimore Colts Game Log". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  14. ^ a b "1982 Baltimore Colts media guide". Colts.com. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  15. ^ "1981 Baltimore Colts Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  16. ^ "1983 Baltimore Colts media guide". Colts.com. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  17. ^ "Baltimore Colts at San Diego Chargers - December 26th, 1982". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  18. ^ "1982 Baltimore Colts Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  19. ^ a b "1984 Indianapolis Colts media guide". Colts.com. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  20. ^ "SPORTS PEOPLE; Dickey Stays a Colt". The New York Times. December 24, 1983. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  21. ^ a b "1985 Indianapolis Colts media guide". Colts.com. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  22. Newspapers.com
    .
  23. ^ "Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills - October 20th, 1985". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  24. ^ a b "Colts hand Curtis Dickey walking papers". Bryan-College Station Eagle. Associated Press. November 26, 1985. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  25. ^ Schudel, Jeff (November 28, 1985). "Dickey happy to join Browns". Mansfield News-Journal. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  26. ^ "Curtis Dickey". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  27. ^ "Divisional Round - Cleveland Browns at Miami Dolphins - January 4th, 1986". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  28. ^ Dodd, Mike (July 12, 1987). "High-dollar exit". The Cincinnati Enquirer. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
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