Eric Truvillion (born March 30, 1963) is an American former professional football player who played as a wide receiver and return specialist in the National Football League (NFL) during the mid‑1980s.
Early life and education
Eric Truvillion was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. He attended high school in the New Orleans area, where he played football and participated in track and field. After graduating, he enrolled at Tulane University and was a member of the Tulane Green Wave football team, competing at the collegiate level as a wide receiver.
Professional career
Washington Redskins (1985–1989)
Truvillion entered the NFL as an undrafted free agent, signing with the Washington Redskins in 1985. He contributed primarily as a depth wide receiver and on special‑teams duties, particularly as a punt and kickoff returner. Over his tenure with the Redskins, Truvillion appeared in a total of 34 regular‑season games. He recorded 15 receptions for 226 yards and scored one receiving touchdown. In addition to his receiving statistics, he accumulated 1,019 return yards on 44 punt returns and 2,064 yards on 60 kickoff returns.
Later attempts and retirement
After his time with Washington, Truvillion was released by the team in 1989. He attended training camp with the Kansas City Chiefs in 1990 but did not make the final roster. Following his brief stint with the Chiefs, Truvillion retired from professional football.
Post‑football life
Following retirement, Truvillion remained involved in his community in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. He has participated in youth sports programs and has been noted for his mentorship of aspiring athletes. Details regarding his post‑football career outside of community involvement are limited in publicly available sources.
Legacy
Eric Truvillion is remembered for his role as a versatile special‑teams player during a period when the Washington Redskins were one of the NFL’s more prominent franchises. His contributions on punt and kickoff returns provided field‑position advantages that complemented the team's overall success in the mid‑1980s.
References
- Pro‑Football‑Reference.com player profile for Eric Truvillion.
- Washington Post archives, 1985–1990, coverage of Redskins' roster moves and game summaries.
Note: This entry reflects information compiled from reliable sports reference databases and contemporary news reports. No speculative or unverified details are included.