Alumni and Friends Directory

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Biography

Eric Hipple is a former NFL quarterback whose ten-year career was spent with the Detroit Lions. His accomplishments include two playoff bids and a divisional championship. In 1981, he was named Most Valuable Player, and his jersey hangs in the Canton Hall of Fame for a Monday Night Football debut deemed best in NFL history. He is ranked fifth in all-time career passing yards in the Detroit record books.

After his football career, Mr. Hipple worked as a freelance sports field reporter and was an analyst for the Fox Network’s local pre-game show from 1995 – 2000. He has been featured in television’s "Home Improvement," "Mickey Spillane’s Mike Hammer" and played a part in "The Bear," a movie about legendary University of Alabama football coach Bear Bryant.

Since his retirement from the Detroit Lions, Mr. Hipple has been a professional motivational speaker and a sales consultant. His public-speaking work shifted to topics of depressive disorder awareness and treatment and to suicide prevention in 2000, after the tragic suicide of his 15-year-old son.

Mr. Hipple now serves on the board of AAS (American Association of Suicidology). He works at the University of Michigan’s Depression Center as an outreach coordinator. Born in Texas and raised in California, he attended Utah State University and graduated in business administration with a computer science option. After graduation, he was drafted by the Detroit Lions. He lives with his family in Michigan.

He recently authored the book Real Men Do Cry. It chronicles his life, including his time as a NFL Quarterback, his struggle with suicide loss and his own depression. His story is one of hope and recovery and uses education as well as practical advice to help others live and enjoy life again.