Eric Hipple

Eric Ellsworth Hipple (born September 16, 1957, in Lubbock, Texas) is a former professional American football player who was selected by the Detroit Lions in the fourth round of the 1980 NFL Draft. A 6'2", 198 lbs. quarterback from Utah State, Hipple played in 10 NFL seasons for the Lions from 1980–1989. His best year as a pro came during the 1985 season when he threw seventeen touchdown passes.

As a result of the suicide in 2000 of Hipple's fifteen-year-old son, Hipple is involved in educating people about the dangers of depression. Hipple travels the country and gives speeches to High School Schools, Youth Groups, U.S. Military and Corporations on suicide prevention and Mental Illness. In this role, he is the Outreach Coordinator of the Depression Center of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor.

Hipple's book, Real Men Do Cry, which discusses Hipple's playing career with the Lions, his bouts with depression and details the warning signs of teens who have died from suicide, was published in 2009. Hipple's son died by suicide when he was 15 years old, which is why he is so dedicated to talking and teaching about a subject.

Eric Hipple disarmed a man wielding a knife at a 2005 party in Michigan. He may have saved several lives as a result, according to police.

Eric Hipple received a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business at Utah State University.

Hipple's Lions football poster was seen on the wall in the 1983 Movie, Mr. Mom.