Eric Berry

Lore & Background

Berry was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in December 2014. After going through chemotherapy in the offseason and being declared cancer free, Berry came back for the 2015 season and was named to the Pro Bowl, the AP All-Pro team, and was named the 2015 AP Comeback Player of the Year. After signing a six-year, $78 million contract, Berry ruptured his Achilles and missed most of the 2017 and 2018 seasons, leading to his release from the Chiefs. Berry was named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team. He was later inducted in the College Football Hall of Fame in 2023, and the Tennessee Athletics Hall of Fame in 2025.

In Their Own Story

The roar of Arrowhead Stadium vibrated through the concrete tunnel that December night in 2015. Eric Berry adjusted his chin strap, the custom 'EB4' design gleaming under the floodlights—a visual declaration of survival before he even stepped onto the turf. As he emerged into the stadium, the sea of red and gold surged, not just for a safety, but for a survivor. When the ball snapped, Berry moved with the instinct that made him elite: reading keys, closing gaps, and meeting receivers with calculated force. In that moment, the scoreboard mattered less than the act of playing itself.

Reader's Guide

Berry was born in Fairburn, Georgia. He attended Creekside High School in Fairburn, where he played cornerback and quarterback, earning a 37–5 record as a starter. He was teammates with Rokevious Watkins and Terrance Parks. He played in the 2007 U.S. Army All-American Bowl. He was considered the top player in Georgia and the top cornerback prospect by every recruiting service, and Rivals.com ranked him the #3 player in the nation. He was clocked at 4.36–4.41 range in the 40-yard dash at a high school Combine. He set school records in long jump (6.95 meters) and 200 meters (21.76 seconds). He was the anchor leg of the 2006 Class 4A state championship 4 × 400 meters relay team. Individually, he was the 2005 Class 4A state champion in the 200 meters and 2007 Class 4A state champion in the Long Jump, beating future NFL players Brandon Boykin and Stephen Hill. He had career-bests of 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 attended the University of Tennessee, playing from 2007 to 2009 under head coaches Phillip Fulmer and Lane Kiffin. As a freshman, he replaced Jarod Parrish after a strong showing against California, was named SEC Defensive Freshman of the Year by the Sporting News, broke a 37-year-old Tennessee record with 222 return yards on five interceptions, led all SEC freshmen in tackles with 86, and was named 1st team Freshman All-American by Rivals. As a sophomore, he was a team captain, tied for the national lead in interceptions with seven, returned them for 265 yards and two touchdowns, set the all-time career SEC record for interception return yards with 487 yards, finished with 72 tackles, six pass break-ups, and three sacks, also took snaps on offense at quarterback and wide receiver, gaining 44 rushing yards on seven carries and 32 yards on two kick-off returns. He was nominated as a finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, the Lott Trophy, and the Chuck Bednarik Award. He was named the SEC Defensive Player of the year, first-team All-SEC, unanimous first-team All American, and winner of the 2008 Jack Tatum Award. As a junior, he recorded 87 total tackles, two interceptions, nine passes defensed, and one fumble recovery, was first-team All-SEC, unanimous first-team All-American for the second consecutive season, won the Jim Thorpe Award, and received the Jac

Did You Know?

• Berry was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma in December 2014 and returned for the 2015 season after chemotherapy.
• He was named the 2015 AP Comeback Player of the Year.
• Berry was a unanimous All-American twice in college and won the Jim Thorpe Award in 2009.
• He was selected fifth overall in the 2010 NFL draft, the highest-drafted defensive back since Sean Taylor.
• Berry was named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.