Dickerson Says He May Retire Early

The Indianapolis Colts want to sign Eric Dickerson to a contract extension. But, in an interview published today, the NFL’s seventh all-time rusher said he may retire after the 1990 season--or sooner.

“Right now, I plan on coming in (to training camp next summer) but there’s still a chance I might not show up,” Dickerson said in an interview with the Atlanta Constitution.

Dickerson is under contract to play next season for $1.45 million, the final year of the contract he signed after his trade to Indianapolis by the Rams on Oct. 31, 1987.

“I don’t love football the way I once loved the game,” he told the newspaper in a telephone interview. “I don’t look at it as fun anymore, and it definitely used to be fun. A lot of the fun has been taken away from it, I guess, because you go through so much on the field and off the field.”

Dickerson, who rushed for 10,000 yards quicker than any back in NFL history (91 games), was bothered by a nagging hamstring injury for much of the past season and missed a game due to injury for the first time in his NFL career at Miami on Nov. 5. He was injured Sept. 24 and aggravated the injury Oct. 22.

“I’m not hurt badly now: I’m not almost a cripple or anything like that. It makes you think that maybe it’s time to get out healthy,” Dickerson said of the injury.

General Manager Jim Irsay said Wednesday that he plans to meet with Dickerson next week to discuss a contract extension.

Dickerson denied a report that he intends to demand a raise or an upgraded offensive line.

On Sunday’s “NFL Live” show on NBC, Bobby Beathard said Dickerson planned to issue an ultimatum to Irsay. Beathard, who was named general manager of the San Diego Chargers on Wednesday, said: “He wants more money or a new offensive line, and I think it is going to be a lot easier to satisfy Eric by getting a new offensive line, because I think it’s impossible to make this guy happy with more money.”

“Where they get this stuff, I don’t know,” said Dickerson. “I’m very satisfied with the money I make. Actually, if they came to me right now and wanted to talk about a new contract, I’m not sure I’d want to.”