Life can catch up fast if we do not tread carefully. Guess that’s what happened with the long-lost Pittsburgh Steelers running back Eric Wilkerson. From Steelers Nation or not, there might be a chance that he might sound unfamiliar. If familiarity does exist, it might not be from his time on the gridiron. And now, that’s what he reflected upon, his post-football life.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with the Steelers Takeaway while being imprisoned for the crimes he committed in 2022, Eric was asked about where his downhill spiral started. From being a Steel City star to being a convict in m-rder and assa-lt. “I got mad at football after that. I blamed it- that it did me wrong. I wouldn’t watch it for years.” Why? You might ask. It’s actually because, as he said, people continuously asked him about his career. “I’d go out – to bars and other places, and people would ask me.” 

Eric explained in the interview that a time came when he had to start making excuses like he tore his hamstring and stuff. Not only that. The retired RB noted that he started losing his peer circle. “After a while, my friends were gone. They weren’t really friends. Once the money and stardom was gone, they were gone.” That’s when depression slid in and his life changed completely.

Eric noted that ever since his retirement in 1993, the loss of stardom, money, and friends, he started heading toward drug ab-se. “I ended up finding a new life in drugs. It felt like a new fan base. I messed with crack for 20 years. I didn’t think of myself as a dealer, but if people asked, I’d sell it. The crack didn’t make me act crazy like it does some people – I just made bad decisions on it.” And that’s what happened in 2022, in Ohio.

Eric Wilkerson was sentenced to 12 to 17.5 years in prison after pleading guilty to involuntary mansl-ughter and tampering with evidence in the 2022 fatal st-bbing of Brian Weems II. Wilkerson attacked Weems following an argument in an Ohio apartment, stabbing him multiple times before fleeing the scene. But it was not just multiple times. Now, as he was speaking on the bad influence of drugs, Eric was recorded saying, “I saw him reach into his pocket and I knew he already put a gun to my chest once. We ended up tussling. I grabbed the knife from his pocket and st-bbed him. Thought I st-bbed him six times – it turned out it was 28. I just lost it. If her cousin didn’t yell my name, it probably would have been more.”

Eric is 57 now. So, according to the sentence, he still has around 11 years of punishment left before he’d be out. And that too, he’d be out on parole for a couple of years. By that time, the retired RB would be around 70. But how big of a fall from grace this is?

When Eric Wilkerson used to suit up for running yards on the gridiron.

Eric Wilkerson’s love for football began at Cleveland Central Catholic High School, where he quickly became a standout for the Ironmen. His talent in the field was undeniable, leading him to pursue a collegiate career with the Kent State Golden Flashes. Wilkerson’s knack for making plays became apparent as he dazzled fans and opponents alike with his dynamic running ability.

During his three seasons at Kent State, Wilkerson was nothing short of electric. He amassed an impressive 3,830 rushing yards and 36 touchdowns on 739 carries, showcasing his versatility with two kick return touchdowns, two passing touchdowns, and 506 receiving yards. His dominance on the field earned him the MAC Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year honors in 1987, cementing his legacy as a Golden Flashes legend. So much so that the team honored him by retiring his No. 40 jersey.

Despite his collegiate success, Wilkerson’s NFL journey was far from smooth. After a brief stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1989, where he didn’t record any carries, he signed with the Detroit Lions in 1990. But he was released without playing a game. His professional career continued with the New York Knights in the World League of American Football in 1991. And later with the Cleveland Thunderbolts in 1993, where he contributed with five tackles, one pass breakup, and an interception. Alas, it was curtains on his pro-football journey after that.

Fast forward to 2024, and Eric Wilkerson is facing a different kind of countdown—one that feels like the final 12 seconds before the victory whistle. Only this time its years ticking away in a prison cell. But even in the darkness, there’s a light of hope. When Wilkerson serves his time, he has one last wish. “My grandson plays football now. He’s trying to find a mentor… So I’d love to help him someday.”