Jerry Eckwood Jerry Eckwood ( born December 26 , 1954 ) is a former NFL running back . He played for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers from 1979 – 1981 , and was a key member of the Buccaneers team that made the first playoff appearance in franchise history in 1979 . Eckwood played collegiately for the Arkansas Razorbacks from 1975 – 78 . High school career . Eckwood was a highly recruited running back out of Brinkley , Arkansas , rushing for 2616 yards in 1973 . He was signed to a scholarship with the Arkansas Razorbacks by then - head coach Frank Broyles . Collegiate career . Eckwood played for the Razorbacks from 1975 – 78 , and was a three - year letterman ( ' 75 , ' 76 , ' 78 ) , playing both for Broyles and Lou Holtz . Eckwood was named 1st Team All Southwest Conference in 1975 , rushing for 792 yards on 104 carries . His 7 . 62 yards per carry that season remained a school record until shattered by Felix Jones in 2007 . Eckwood had six 100 - yard rushing games in his Razorback career , five of those games occurring in 1975 . NFL career . 1979 Season . After completing his eligibility with the Razorbacks , Eckwood was taken in the third round of the 1979 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers , ahead of notable players such as NFL Hall of Fame r Joe Montana and Pro Bowl ers Kenny King , William Andrews , and Tony Franklin . Eckwood shared the backfield with quarterback Doug Williams and running back Ricky Bell . In 1979 , Eckwood was the Buccaneers ' second - leading rusher with 690 yards on 194 carries . He was , at the time , one of only 11 running backs to have gained 100 yards in his first professional game . Tampa Bay made the first playoff appearance in franchise history in 1979 , advancing to the NFC Championship Game , where they lost to the Los Angeles Rams 9 - 0 . Eckwood ' s 42 - yard option pass to Larry Mucker was the Bucs ' longest play of the game . 1980 Season . In 1980 , Eckwood was again second in rushing with 504 yards , and was also second on the team with 47 receptions . He fell into some disfavor during this season , after fumbling at key points of four of the team ' s losses . 1981 Season . In 1981 , Eckwood led the Buccaneers in rushing with 651 yards on 172 carries ( 3 . 8 avg . ) . In Eckwood ' s final NFL season , Tampa Bay finished with a 9 - 7 record , losing in the first round of the 1981 NFL playoffs to the Dallas Cowboys . Eckwood rushed 515 times for 1845 yards ( 3 . 6 avg . ) and six touchdowns in his 3 - year NFL career and was the starter in 30 of the 47 games he played in , all with the Buccaneers . He also caught 93 passes for 956 yards ( 10 . 3 avg . ) and one touchdown . Post - career . Eckwood was selected the 79th greatest player in Buccaneer history in 2007 . Eckwood ' s nephew , LaDarius Eckwood is a wide receiver who signed to play football with the University of Arkansas - Pine Bluff Golden Lions after catching 108 passes in the 2008 season for Springdale High School . Eckwood suffered several concussion s while playing in college and in the NFL . Since leaving the NFL , Eckwood has struggled with mental illness , and was committed to the Arkansas State Hospital for several years . He currently suffers from dementia , and is housed in an assisted living facility . Former Buccaneers president Gay Culverhouse has assisted with his medical care and has cited him as an example of the mistreatment NFL players receive from their employers . Culverhouse recalled warning signs of Eckwood ' s future mental problems , citing times where he went to the wrong huddle or bench during games . Eckwood , who can no longer drive or live on his own , was recently approved to participate in the 88 Plan , an NFL program for former players suffering from various dementia - related symptoms , such as hallucinations , forgetfulness , paranoia , and the inability to process new information . Eckwood was also approved by the NFL to receive annual benefits of $ 136 , 000 for the remainder of his life .