Eric Berry

James Eric Berry (born December 29, 1988) is a former American professional football safety who spent his entire NFL career with the Kansas City Chiefs. In college, he played for the Tennessee Volunteers and was twice named a unanimous All-American, also earning recognition as the nation’s top collegiate defensive back. The Chiefs picked him fifth overall in the 2010 NFL draft. Over his career, Berry made five Pro Bowl appearances and was selected to the first-team All-Pro roster three times.

In December 2014, Berry was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma. He underwent chemotherapy during the offseason, was declared cancer-free, and returned for the 2015 season. That year, he earned a Pro Bowl nod, an AP All-Pro selection, and the AP Comeback Player of the Year award. After signing a six-year, $78 million contract, Berry ruptured his Achilles tendon and missed most of the 2017 and 2018 seasons, leading to his release from the Chiefs. He was named to the NFL’s 2010s All-Decade Team. Berry was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2023 and the Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame in 2025.

Berry was born in Fairburn, Georgia, and attended Creekside High School there, where he excelled in both football and track. Playing cornerback and quarterback, he posted a 37–5 record as a starter. His high school teammates included Rokevious Watkins and Terrance Parks. After a standout prep career, he played in the 2007 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Recruiting services ranked him the top player in Georgia and the top cornerback prospect nationally; Rivals.com rated him the No. 3 player in the country. At a high school combine on a soft indoor surface, he was timed in the 4.36–4.41 range for the 40-yard dash.

On the track team, Berry set school records in the long jump (6.95 meters) and 200 meters (21.76 seconds). He anchored the 2006 Class 4A state champion 4 × 400 meters relay team. Individually, he won the 2005 Class 4A state title in the 200 meters and the 2007 Class 4A state championship in the long jump, beating future NFL players Brandon Boykin (second) and Stephen Hill (third). His personal bests were 10.48 seconds in the 100 meters and 21.42 seconds in the 200 meters. He was regarded as the most scouted safety since Sean Taylor.

Berry received numerous scholarship offers but chose the University of Tennessee, where he played from 2007 to 2009 under head coaches Phillip Fulmer and Lane Kiffin.

As a freshman, Berry replaced fifth-year senior Jarod Parrish after a strong debut against California. He made several big plays and was named SEC Defensive Freshman of the Year by the Sporting News. His 222 return yards on five interceptions broke Tennessee’s 37-year-old record by 43 yards. He led all SEC freshmen with 86 tackles and was twice named SEC Freshman of the Week. After the season, Rivals named him a first-team Freshman All-American.

Despite being a sophomore, Berry was named a team captain before the season. He tied for the national lead with seven interceptions, returning them for 265 yards and two touchdowns, breaking his own school record. Combined with his freshman totals, he set the SEC career record for interception return yards with 487 yards—just 14 shy of the NCAA record held by Terrell Buckley. He finished the regular season with 72 tackles, six pass break-ups, and three sacks.

Berry also took snaps at quarterback and wide receiver, gaining 44 rushing yards on seven carries, and added 32 yards on two kickoff returns. Some journalists speculated he could become the best defensive player in Tennessee history. He was a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, the Lott Trophy, and the Chuck Bednarik Award. Berry was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year, first-team All-SEC, and a unanimous first-team All-American. The Touchdown Club of Columbus also gave him the 2008 Jack Tatum Award.

As a junior, Berry recorded 87 total tackles, two interceptions, nine passes defensed, and one fumble recovery. He was again a first-team All-SEC selection and a unanimous first-team All-American. He won the Jim Thorpe Award and received the Jack Tatum Award for the second straight year. After the season, he announced his intention to enter the 2010 NFL draft.

Following Tennessee’s 37–14 loss to Virginia Tech in the 2009 Chick-fil-A Bowl, Berry decided to forgo his final year of college eligibility and enter the 2010 NFL draft. He attended the NFL Scouting Combine in Indianapolis, where he finished second among safeties in the 40-yard dash and fifth in the bench press. On March 16, 2010, he participated in Tennessee’s pro day but only performed positional drills, standing on his combine numbers. Berry was regarded as the highest-scouted safety since Sean Taylor, whom he idolized, and was expected to be selected no later than No. 7 (the Cleveland Browns’ pick). NFL draft experts and scouts projected him as a first-round pick and a possible top-ten selection. He was ranked as the top safety prospect in the draft by N.