Eric Hipple
Eric Ellsworth Hipple (born September 16, 1957) is a public speaker and a retired professional American football player.
 Hipple at a book signing in September 2009. | |||||||||
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| Position: | Quarterback | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born: | September 16, 1957 Lubbock, Texas | ||||||||
| 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 | |||||||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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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. His best year as a pro came during the 1985 season when he threw 17 touchdown passes.
- 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 committed suicide by 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
- 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.
- "Alumni and Friends". usu.edu. Jon M. Huntsman School of Business, Utah State University. Retrieved 25 June 2011.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Emkow, Bill (July 26, 2005). "Eric Hipple subdues knife-wielding man". Muskegon Chronicle. Retrieved January 5, 2013 – via mlive.com.