‘Walker Did Not Break <i> My</i> Record,’ Dickerson Says

The Rams’ Eric Dickerson, who set a National Football League rushing record with 2,105 yards last season, was asked what he thought of the New Jersey Generals’ Herschel Walker topping that with 2,129 in the United States Football League this spring.

“He broke 2,000 yards,” Dickerson said Tuesday. “That’s definitely great in any kind of competition--college, semipro, professional.

“But he did not break my record. Uh-uh.

“I play in the NFL. That record was set by O.J. Simpson in the NFL, not the USFL. Two thousand yards is 2,000 yards, but the competition is different.

“He’s a great back, but I did it in the majors, and he did it in the minors.”

Dickerson broke the record of 2,003 yards set by Simpson of the Buffalo Bills in 1973.

Walker boosted his rushing yardage this season to 2,129 Monday night when he ran for 162 yards against the Jacksonville Bulls.

Both Walker and Dickerson achieved their totals in 16 games. Walker still has two games remaining in the USFL’s regular season.

Walker was quoted in East Rutherford, N.J., as saying: “There are going to be critics all over the world talking about the record. People always have something to say when a record is broken. But I have the numbers to prove it.”

Walker exceeded Dickerson’s total on a 55-yard touchdown run on an off-tackle play in the third quarter of the Generals’ 31-24 victory. He ran to his right, cut back, broke a couple of tackles and went the last 45 yards alone.

Walker has been the class of the USFL this season. The 1982 Heisman Trophy winner from Georgia has rushed for at least 100 yards in 10 straight games and in 13 of the 16 he has played. His 20 touchdowns rushing are a league record.

Walker, playing with an injured shoulder last year, gained 1,339 yards.