The 6-foot-3, 230-pound Dickerson ran the 100-yard dash in 9.4 seconds as a high school student. At Southern Methodist University, he rushed 790 times for 4,450 yards and 48 touchdowns in four seasons and was a consensus All-American running back in 1982.

A first-round draft choice of the NFL's Los Angeles Rams, Dickerson was named rookie of the year by the Associated Press and National Football Conference player of the year in 1983, when he rushed for 1,808 yards to lead the league.

Dickerson gained 2,105 rushing yards, 2,244 combined rushing and receiving yards, and rushed for 100 or more yards had in 12 games, all NFL records, in 1984.

The outspoken Dickerson held out for more money and missed the first two games of the 1985 season before coming to terms with the Rams. He led the NFL in rushing for a third time with 1,821 yards in 1986. But disputes with team management led to his trade to the Indianapolis Colts after the third game of the 1987 season in a major three-team deal that also sent rookie linebacker Cornelius Bennett to the Buffalo Bills.

With the Colts, Dickerson was the NFL rushing leader for the fourth time in 1988, and the following year he set a league record by gaining more than 1,000 yards rushing for the seventh season in a row. However, he again had difficulties with coaches and management, who accused him of exaggerating minor injuries. After playing in only 11 of 16 games in 1990, Dickerson was suspended for nearly a month in 1991 and was traded to the Oakland Raiders the following season.

Through the 1992 season, Dickerson had gained 13,168 yards on 2,970 attempts, a 4.4 average, and scored 90 rushing touchdowns. He had also caught 275 passes for 2,079 yards, a 7.6 average, and 6 touchdowns. Dickerson was traded to the Green Bay Packers in 1993 but retired after failing the team's physical examination.

A remarkable combination of speed and power, Dickerson was at his best starting wide and then cutting back against the defensive pursuit. He was criticized by some for not being a good short-yardage runner, despite his size, and for not being a good outside runner, despite his speed. Nevertheless, Dickerson was named an All-Pro five times and played in six Pro Bowls. As well as being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame.