Curtis Dickey
{{Short description|American football player (born 1956)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox NFL biography
| name = Curtis Dickey
| number = 27, 33
| position = Running back
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1956|11|27}}
| birth_place = Madisonville, Texas, U.S.
| height_ft = 6
| height_in = 1
| weight_lb = 213
| high_school = Bryan (TX)
| college = Texas A&M (1976–1979)
| draftyear = 1980
| draftround = 1
| draftpick = 5
| pastteams =
- Baltimore/Indianapolis Colts ({{NFL Year|1980|1985}})
- Cleveland Browns (1985–{{NFL Year|1986}})
| highlights =
- First-team All-SWC (1978)
- Second-team All-SWC (1976)
- Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame (1988)
- Southwest Conference Hall of Fame (2018){{cite news |title=Bryan High and Texas A&M product Curtis Dickey to be inducted into TSHOF 2018 Southwest Conference Class |url=https://www.kbtx.com/content/sports/Bryan-High-and-Texas-AM-product-Curtis-Dickey-to-be-inducted-into-TSHOF-2018-SWC-Class-487279271.html |access-date=March 22, 2024 |work=KBTX |date=July 3, 2018}}
| statlabel1 = Rushing yards
| statvalue1 = 4,019
| statlabel2 = Rushing average
| statvalue2 = 4.3
| statlabel3 = Rushing touchdowns
| statvalue3 = 32
| statlabel4 = Receptions
| statvalue4 = 134
| statlabel5 = Receiving yards
| statvalue5 = 1,577
| statlabel6 = Receiving touchdowns
| statvalue6 = 8
| pfr = DickCu00
}}
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 Madisonville, Texas. Dickey was one of six children, and grew up in Bryan, Texas.{{cite magazine |last1=Moses |first1=Sam |title=The Dickey Dilemma |url=https://vault.si.com/vault/1979/11/19/the-dickey-dilemma-texas-a-m-running-back-sprinter-curtis-dickey-must-decide-between-signing-with-the-pros-and-training-for-the-olympics |access-date=March 22, 2024 |magazine=Sports Illustrated |date=November 19, 1979}} Dickey attended 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.{{cite news |last1=Powell |first1=Putt |title=Putting Around |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/30196953/?match=1&clipping_id=143880046 |access-date=March 22, 2024 |work=The Amarillo Globe-Times |via=Newspapers.com |date=January 10, 1975}}{{cite news |title=Dickey, Hagerty top chips |url=https://www.newspapers.com/image/378699162/?match=1&clipping_id=143880696 |work=Austin American-Statesman |via=Newspapers.com |agency=Associated Press |date=January 11, 1976}} 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.
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.{{cite web |title=Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame – Curtis Dickey |url=https://12thman.com/honors/texas-am-athletic-hall-of-fame/curtis-dickey/69 |website=Texas A&M Athletics |access-date=March 22, 2024}}
= Football =
Dickey excelled on the football field, finishing his Texas A&M career with the then-record for all-time rushing yards{{cite web |title=1981 Baltimore Colts media guide |url=https://www.colts.com/team/mediaguides |website=Colts.com |access-date=March 25, 2024}} (currently, the second most all-time rushing yards). His college career stats included 697 rushes for 3,703 yards for a 5.3 yard average and 31 touchdowns.{{cite web |title=Curtis Dickey |url=https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/curtis-dickey-1.html |website=Sports Reference CFB |access-date=March 22, 2024}}
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. 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. Texas A&M defeated Iowa State 28–12. 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.
In 1988, Dickey was elected to the Texas A&M Athletic Hall of Fame
== College football statistics ==
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
! colspan="16" style="{{CollegePrimaryStyle|Texas A&M Aggies football}}"| Texas A&M Aggies | |||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="1"| Games ! colspan="4"| Rushing ! colspan="4"| Receiving | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| {{abbr|GP|Games Played}} | {{abbr|Att|Rushing Attempts}} | {{abbr|Yds|Rushing Yards}} | {{abbr|Avg|Average Rushing Yards/Game}} | {{abbr|TD|Rushing Touchdowns}} | {{abbr|Rec|Receptions}} | {{abbr|Yds|Receiving Yards}} | {{abbr|Avg|Average Receiving Yards/Game}} | {{abbr|TD|Receiving Touchdowns}} | |
| 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 | ||||||||
| colspan="2"| [https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/players/curtis-dickey-1.html Career] | 44 | 697 | 3,703 | 5.3 | 31 | 42 | 496 | 11.8 | 1 |
= Track and field =
As a world-class sprinter, Dickey won the NCAA indoor championship in the 60-yard dash three times (1978–1980). His 10.11 in the 100 meters was the sixth fastest time in the world in 1978.{{cite web |last=Tarpley |first=Jeff |date=July 5, 2018 |title=A&M's Dickey named to Southwest Conference Hall of Fame |url=https://247sports.com/college/texas-am/Article/Texas-AMs-Curtis-Dickey-named-to-2018-Southwest-Conference-Hall-of-Fame-119589045/ |access-date=October 30, 2021 |website=247sports.com}} He also posted a personal best of 6.10 seconds in 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).{{cite news |date=February 17, 1980 |title=Aggie thins take Indoor |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/9348432/aggie_thins_take_indoor/ |work=The Paris News |page=22 |via=Newspapers.com}}
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.{{Cite news |date=1980-03-02 |title=Coghlan Breaks All-Comers Record |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-opelika-auburn-news-coghlan-breaks-a/144158051/ |access-date=2024-03-26 |work=The Opelika-Auburn News |pages=18}}
Prior to the 1980 NFL draft, there was speculation that Dickey may forego the draft to train for the 1980 Summer Olympics. However, the United States boycotted the games and Dickey entered the draft.{{cite news |last1=Rosen |first1=Byron |date=July 31, 1980 |title=Dickey, Colts Not Even Close |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1980/08/01/dickey-colts-not-even-close/9b570838-9767-4a10-96c2-9e4c6691a80e/ |access-date=March 22, 2024 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}
Professional career
Dickey was selected by the Baltimore Colts in the 1st round (5th overall) of 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. He finished that game with 16 carries for 102 yards and two touchdowns.{{cite web |title=Baltimore Colts at New England Patriots – November 23rd, 1980 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198011230nwe.htm |website=Pro Football Reference |access-date=March 25, 2024}}
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. 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.
Although Dickey had a record-setting rookie season, the Colts finished 7–9 and missed the playoffs.{{cite web |title=1980 Baltimore Colts Game Log |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/clt/1980/gamelog/ |website=Pro Football Reference |access-date=March 25, 2024}}
==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 perform 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).{{cite web |title=1982 Baltimore Colts media guide |url=https://www.colts.com/team/mediaguides |website=Colts.com |access-date=March 25, 2024}} 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.{{cite web |title=1981 Baltimore Colts Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/clt/1981.htm |website=Pro Football Reference |access-date=March 25, 2024}}
Dickey's combined 23 touchdowns were the most ever in Colts history in a player's first two seasons.
==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.{{cite web |title=1983 Baltimore Colts media guide |url=https://www.colts.com/team/mediaguides |website=Colts.com |access-date=March 25, 2024}} 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.{{cite web |title=Baltimore Colts at San Diego Chargers – December 26th, 1982 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198212260sdg.htm |website=Pro Football Reference |access-date=March 25, 2024}}
The Colts ended the strike-shortened season with an 0–8–1 record, tying in week 15 against the Green Bay Packers.{{cite web |title=1982 Baltimore Colts Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/clt/1982.htm |website=Pro Football Reference |access-date=March 25, 2024}} They became only the third team since 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.{{cite web |title=1984 Indianapolis Colts media guide |url=https://www.colts.com/team/mediaguides |website=Colts.com |access-date=March 25, 2024}} The rushing duo of Dickey and McMillan led the AFC in rushing and was second-best in the NFL.
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.{{cite news |title=SPORTS PEOPLE; Dickey Stays a Colt |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1983/12/24/sports/sports-people-dickey-stays-a-colt.html |access-date=March 25, 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=December 24, 1983}} 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.{{cite web |title=1985 Indianapolis Colts media guide |url=https://www.colts.com/team/mediaguides |website=Colts.com |access-date=March 25, 2024}}
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.
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.{{cite news |last1=Rietmann |first1=Tom |title=Curtis who? RB Dickey to make season debut |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-indianapolis-news-curtis-who-rb-dic/144111490/ |access-date=March 25, 2024 |work=The Indianapolis News |via=Newspapers.com |date=October 18, 1985}} Dickey came off the bench in that game, only recording three rushes for 11 yards.{{cite web |title=Indianapolis Colts at Buffalo Bills – October 20th, 1985 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198510200buf.htm |website=Pro Football Reference |access-date=March 25, 2024}}
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.{{cite news |title=Colts hand Curtis Dickey walking papers |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/bryan-college-station-eagle-colts-hand-c/144114020/ |access-date=March 25, 2024 |work=Bryan-College Station Eagle |agency=Associated Press |date=November 26, 1985}}
Dickey left the team as its then-fifth leading rusher in franchise history with 3,490 yards across six seasons.
=Cleveland Browns (1985–1986)=
The day following his release by the Colts, Dickey was claimed by the Cleveland Browns.{{cite news |last1=Schudel |first1=Jeff |title=Dickey happy to join Browns |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/news-journal-dickey-happy-to-join-browns/144119175/ |access-date=March 25, 2024 |work=Mansfield News-Journal |date=November 28, 1985}}
==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.{{cite web |title=Curtis Dickey |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DickCu00.htm |website=Pro Football Reference |access-date=March 25, 2024}} He also recorded six rushes for 28 yards in the Browns' Divisional Round playoff loss to the Miami Dolphins.{{cite web |title=Divisional Round – Cleveland Browns at Miami Dolphins – January 4th, 1986 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198601040mia.htm |website=Pro Football Reference |access-date=March 25, 2024}}
==1986 season==
In 1986, Dickey helped contribute to the Browns' 12–4 team. Dickey was relegated to backup role behind Kevin Mack, but still finished second on the team in rushing with 523 yards and six touchdowns. Led by quarterback Bernie Kosar, the Browns made it to the 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.{{cite news |last1=Dodd |first1=Mike |title=High-dollar exit |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-cincinnati-enquirer-high-dollar-exit/144121017/ |access-date=March 25, 2024 |work=The Cincinnati Enquirer |date=July 12, 1987}}
=Professional statistics=
| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;" | ||||||||||||
| rowspan="2"| Year
! rowspan="2"| Team ! colspan="2"| Games ! colspan="5"| Rushing ! colspan="5"| Receiving | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| {{abbr|GP|Games Played}} | {{abbr|GS|Games Started}} | {{abbr|Att|Rushing Attempts}} | {{abbr|Yds|Rushing Yards}} | {{abbr|Avg|Average Rushing Yards/Game}} | {{abbr|Lng|Longest Rush}} | {{abbr|TD|Rushing Touchdowns}} | {{abbr|Rec|Receptions}} | {{abbr|Yds|Receiving Yards}} | {{abbr|Avg|Average Receiving Yards/Game}} | {{abbr|Lng|Longest Reception}} | {{abbr|TD|Receiving Touchdowns}} | |
| 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 | |||||||||||
| rowspan="2"|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 | |||||||||||
| colspan="2"| [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/D/DickCu00.htm 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|date=March 2024}}
References
{{Reflist}}
{{1980 NFL Draft}}
{{Baltimore Colts 1980 draft navbox}}
{{ColtsFirstPick}}
{{Footer US NC Indoor 60m Men}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Dickey, Curtis}}
Category:American football running backs
Category:Texas A&M Aggies football players
Category:Baltimore Colts players
Category:Indianapolis Colts players
Category:Cleveland Browns players
Category:People from Madisonville, Texas
Category:Players of American football from Texas
Category:USA Indoor Track and Field Championships winners
Category:NCAA Division I Indoor Track and Field Championships winners