Eric Hipple

Eric Ellsworth Hipple (born September 16, 1957) is a public speaker and a former professional American football player.

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
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
Career NFL statistics
TD–INT:55–70
Passing yards:10,711
Passer rating:68.7
Player stats at NFL.com

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 Detroit Lions in the fourth round of the 1980 NFL Draft. He played his entire 10-season 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

Post-athletics career

As a result of the suicide in 2000 of Hipple's 15-year-old son, Hipple is involved in educating people about the dangers of depression.[1] Hipple delivers speeches on suicide prevention and 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. 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. 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. Hipple, Eric; Horsley, Gloria; Horsley, Heidi (2008). Real Men Do Cry: A Quarterback's Inspiring Story of Tackling Depression and Surviving Suicide Loss. Quality of Life Publishing Company. ISBN 9780981621920.
  5. 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.
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