Eric Decker

Childhood and Highschool

Eric Decker was born on March 15, 1987 in Cold Spring, MN. He attended Rocori High School and played baseball and basketball in addition to football. During his time at Rocori, Decker earned all-honors (conference, area, section) in each of the sports he played. He was also named team MVP for the Rocori Spartan football team.

College

Decker went to play football for the University of Minnesota Gophers of the Big Ten Conference. In his freshman year at Minnesota, he played 13 games, making 26 catches for 378 yards for a receiving average of 14.5 yards per game (ypg) and 3 TDs. By his sophomore year, Decker’s production increased to 67 receptions for 909 yards and 9 TDs. He also completed 1 pass for 20 yards and a TD.

It was in his junior year where Decker recorded his college career records in receptions (84) and yards (1,074 yards receiving) for 7 TDs scored, earning first team All-Big Ten honors. Although he was slowed by injury in his senior year, his earlier pre-season work with a wide-out coach helped him achieve recognition nationally as the third best receiver in college behind Oklahoma State’s WR Dez Bryant (Dallas Cowboys) and WR A.J. Green of the University of Georgia (Cincinnati Bengals). Decker finished his college career at Minnesota with 227 pass receptions for 3119 yards receiving, 24 touchdowns and 114 yards rushing with 1 TD.

NFL Draft

An left foot injury that Decker suffered in his senior year at Minnesota made him unable to participate in either the NFL combine or Pro Day workout. Because of the injury, Decker was unable to post a 40 time or results in the vertical leap. Decker did however complete the Wonderlic aptitude test where he scored a 43. His score was the highest among all prospective NFL draft picks for the upcoming 2010 NFL draft. Decker was selected by the Denver Broncos with the 87th pick overall in the third round. He signed a four year contract, paying a rookie salary of $2.522 million.

2015 NFL Season

Decker, in his second year highlights with the New York Jets, had 80 receptions for 1,027 yards receiving while scoring 12 touchdowns. One of his best performances was in a 23-20 road win against crosstown rival Giants where he caught the ball 8 times for 101 yards in receiving.

2016 NFL Season

Decker’s playing time during the 2016 season was limited to three games. He was placed on the injured reserve list by the team as the result of a shoulder injury. In the three games he played in for the Jets, Decker had 9 catches, 194 yards receiving and scored 2 TDs. His best game of the season came in a September 15, 2016 road win against the Buffalo Bills, 37-31. Decker caught 6 passes in the game for 126 yards and 1 TD.

Personal Life

While attending Rocori High School, Decker was present the day a school shooting took place on September 24, 2003, involving an assailant, John Jason McLaughlin, which claimed the lives of two victims, Seth Bartell, 15, and Aaron Rollins, 17. McLaughlin, who claimed he had been bullied by Bartell, was sentenced to life imprisonment and ordered to pay $15,000 in restitution to the Minnesota Crimes Victim Reparations Board. He is eligible for parole in 2038. Decker is married to country singer Jessie James with whom he has two children, Vivianne Rose and Eric Thomas. Decker’s Twitter account is @EricDecker87.