10 Interesting Facts About Eric Decker
Decker set the University of Minnesota career record for receptions (227) and receiving yards (3,119). Of the 354 balls thrown his way, only three were dropped.
Additionally, the 6'3", 214-pounder played collegiate baseball for the Gophers. He was drafted by a pair of MLB teams - Milwaukee Brewers (Rd. 39 in '08) and Minnesota Twins (Rd. 27 in '09) - before the Denver Broncos selected him in the third round (87th overall) of the 2010 NFL Draft.
Might we see TE Jeff Cumberland in a different jersey next season - No, he's not going anywhere after re-signing with the Green & White last week, but perhaps his No. 87 will be transferred to our newest receiver. Decker wore that number for the Broncos because he admired their former WR Eddie McCaffery (also No. 87), he was the 87th player drafted in 2010, and he was born in 1987.
No one could match Eric Decker's 43 on the Wonderlic test in 2010, designed to measure intelligence and problem-solving skills.
Perhaps that's why it didn't take him more than one game to figure out the whole punt returning thing. He had never returned punts at any level of his football career before the Broncos put him back there for their 2011 season opener vs. the Raiders. Their decision was promptly rewarded with a 90-yard return touchdown in the third quarter.
But that wasn't the first touchdown of his NFL career. TD No. 1 took place during the 2010 regular season finale and it was of the receiving variety. The quarterback who threw the 6-yard pass was none other than Tim Tebow.
Decker has the third most receiving touchdowns among wide receivers since 2011, his 32 scores trailing only Dez Bryant (34) and Calvin Johnson (33).
When it comes to Twitter, Eric Decker doesn't even reign supreme in his own household. His wife, Jessie James, is a country singer with 302 thousand followers, while his account has "only" has 236 thousand followers.
As a high-profile couple, the Decker's have their own reality TV show on E! Season Two of Eric & Jessie: Game On returns March 30th.
Eric Decker can think of his New York Jets employment as an early birthday gift. He turns 27 this Saturday, March 15th.
