Eric Torkelson (born May 31, 1952) is a former American football running back who played professionally in the National Football League (NFL). He is best known for his tenure with the Detroit Lions.
Early life and education
Born in the United States, Torkelson attended the University of Kansas, where he played college football for the Kansas Jayhawks. His performance at the collegiate level led to his selection in the 1975 NFL Draft.
Professional career
Torkelson was selected in the fifth round (119th overall) of the 1975 NFL Draft by the Detroit Lions. He spent the majority of his professional career with Detroit, appearing on the roster from 1975 through 1982. Primarily utilized as a backup running back and special‑teams contributor, Torkelson participated in a total of 85 regular‑season games. Over his career, he accumulated modest rushing and receiving yardage, contributing to the Lions' offensive and special‑teams units.
Later life
Following his retirement from professional football, Torkelson has maintained a low public profile. Details regarding his post‑NFL career, personal life, and current activities are not widely documented in publicly available encyclopedic sources.