Eric Hipple

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Eric Hipple
refer to caption
Hipple at a book signing in September 2009.
No. 17
Position:Quarterback
Personal information
Born: (1957-09-16) September 16, 1957 (age 66)
Lubbock, Texas, U.S.
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:196 lb (89 kg)
Career information
College:Utah State
NFL draft:1980 / Round: 4 / Pick: 85
Career history
Career highlights and awards
  • NFL completion percentage leader (1986
    )
Career NFL statistics
TDINT:55–70
Passing yards:10,711
Passer rating:68.7
Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

Eric Ellsworth Hipple (born September 16, 1957) is an American public speaker and a former professional football player. He played as a quarterback for the Detroit Lions of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Utah State Aggies.

Early life and education

Eric Hipple was born in Lubbock, Texas.

Hipple attended Utah State University with an athletic scholarship.[1] At 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) and 198 lb (90 kg), he was a star quarterback for the team. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the university's Jon M. Huntsman School of Business.[2]

Career

Hipple was selected by the

NFL
career for the Lions from 1980 to 1989. He missed the whole 1987 season with a sprained thumb.

Career statistics
  • 102 games
  • 1,546 attempts
  • 830 completions
  • 10,711 yards
  • 55 touchdowns

NFL career statistics

Legend
Led the league
Bold Career high

Regular season

Year Team Games Passing
GP GS Record Cmp Att Pct Yds Avg TD Int Lng Rtg
1980 DET 15 0 Did not play
1981 DET 16 10 6−4 140 279 50.2 2,358 8.5 14 15 94 73.4
1982 DET 9 4 2−2 36 86 41.9 411 4.8 2 4 52 45.3
1983 DET 16 16 9−7 204 387 52.7 2,577 6.7 12 18 80 64.7
1984 DET 8 1 1−0 16 38 42.1 246 6.5 1 1 40 62.0
1985 DET 16 15 7−8 223 406 54.9 2,952 7.3 17 18 56 73.6
1986 DET 16 10 3−7 192 305 63.0 1,919 6.3 9 11 46 75.6
1987 DET 0 0 Did not play due to injury
1988 DET 5 0 12 27 44.4 158 5.9 0 0 31 63.5
1989 DET 1 1 0−1 7 18 38.9 90 5.0 0 3 30 15.7
Career 102 57 28−29 830 1,546 53.7 10,711 6.9 55 70 94 68.7

Post-athletics career

As a result of the

mental illness at high schools, youth groups, members of the military and their families, local organizations and corporations.[3] He is the Outreach Coordinator of the Depression Center of the University of Michigan.[3] A documentary film by the Depression Center features Hipple.[3] He also co-authored a study about depression and pain in retired professional football players.[3]

Hipple's book, Real Men Do Cry, was published in 2008.[4] It discusses Hipple's playing career with the Lions, his bouts with depression, and details of the warning signs of teens who have died from suicide.[5]

Personal life

In 2000, Hipple's 15-year-old son Jeff died by suicide via shotgun.[5] Hipple has acknowledged he has also suffered from bouts with depression,[5] including his adolescence.[1] After his son's death, Hipple abused drugs and alcohol.[5] and was convicted of drunk driving and served time in jail.[1] He filed for bankruptcy as well.[5]

In 2005, Hipple disarmed a man wielding a knife at a party in Michigan.[6]

In other media

A football poster of Hipple can be seen on the wall in the 1983 feature film Mr. Mom.

He was a guest star in the show Home Improvement as himself in Season 3 Episode 18 building a house for Habitat for Humanity guest starring several top name athletes and Former President Jimmy Carter.

References

  1. ^ a b c d Bloch, Jim (November 29, 2006). "Hipple and Kramer deliver tips on recognizing depression, preventing suicide". Voicenews.com. Archived from the original on September 7, 2008. Retrieved June 7, 2018.
  2. ^ "Alumni and Friends". usu.edu. Jon M. Huntsman School of Business, Utah State University. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
  3. ^ a b c d Johnson, Beth (September–October 2007). "Sharing experience and hope: Telling His Story to Save Others". Inside View. University of Michigan Depression Center, University of Michigan Health System, University of Michigan. Retrieved June 7, 2018 – via depressioncenter.org.
  4. .
  5. ^ a b c d e Pluto, Terry (September 30, 2010). "Guilt and pain: Ex-NFL QB Eric Hipple preaches understanding when it comes to suicidal depression". Plain Dealer. Retrieved June 7, 2018 – via Cleveland.com.
  6. ^ Emkow, Bill (July 26, 2005). "Eric Hipple subdues knife-wielding man". Muskegon Chronicle. Retrieved January 5, 2013 – via mlive.com.

External links