Richard "Dick" Wilcox (October 21, 1949 – January 23, 1986) was an American professional football player who played as a running back in the National Football League (NFL) for five seasons during the 1970s.
Early Life and College Career
Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, Wilcox attended the University of Cincinnati, where he played college football for the Cincinnati Bearcats. During his collegiate career, he established himself as a talented and versatile running back, known for his speed and agility.Professional Career
Wilcox was selected by the Detroit Lions in the seventh round (162nd overall) of the 1974 NFL Draft. He spent three seasons with the Lions (1974–1976), primarily serving as a kick returner and a reserve running back. His abilities as a return specialist were notable during his time in Detroit.In 1977, Wilcox joined the Washington Redskins, where he played for two seasons (1977–1978). With the Redskins, he continued to contribute as a running back and special teams player. Over his five-year NFL career, Wilcox played in 64 games, accumulating 388 rushing yards and 2 rushing touchdowns on 104 carries. He also caught 21 passes for 156 yards and returned 45 kickoffs for 991 yards.
Later Life and Death
After retiring from professional football, Wilcox's life was tragically cut short. He passed away on January 23, 1986, at the age of 36, due to a heart attack.External Links
- [https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/W/WilcDi00.shtml Dick Wilcox at Pro-Football-Reference.com]
- [https://www.nfl.com/players/dick-wilcox/stats/ Dick Wilcox at NFL.com]