Eric Ebron
Eric Ebron (born April 10, 1993) is a former American football tight end who played in the National Football League (NFL) for eight seasons. He played college football for the North Carolina Tar Heels and was selected by the Detroit Lions in the first round (10th overall) of the 2014 NFL Draft. Ebron also played for the Indianapolis Colts and Pittsburgh Steelers before announcing his retirement on December 4, 2024.[1][2]Early life
Family background
Eric Ebron was born on April 10, 1993, in Newark, New Jersey, to parents Eric Ebron Sr. and Gina Jackson.[3] His parents divorced when he was a toddler, leading to significant changes in his early living situation.[3] Following the divorce, Ebron's family relocated from New Jersey to North Providence, Rhode Island, to be closer to his ailing maternal grandfather, Oling Jackson, a Native American U.S. Marine Corps Staff Sergeant who had served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.[4] Jackson, who utilized Veterans Affairs benefits for his care amid a battle with Parkinson's disease, passed away in 2003 at the age of 76, after which the family moved again to Greensboro, North Carolina.[5][6][3] Ebron's father, Eric Sr., also served in the Marines, further embedding a legacy of military service within the family.[7] Jackson served as a pivotal role model and confidant for the young Ebron, sharing stories of his wartime experiences and instilling values of resilience and discipline that shaped Ebron's personal development.[8] The grandfather's death profoundly affected Ebron, who was 10 years old at the time, but the family's emphasis on perseverance—rooted in Jackson's influence—helped channel Ebron's energies toward football as an outlet for emotional recovery and growth during his formative years.[9][10]High school career
Eric Ebron attended Ben L. Smith High School in Greensboro, North Carolina, where he played football under head coach Rodney Brewington.[11] Following his family's relocation to North Carolina, Ebron had limited experience in organized football, having ceased playing after pee-wee leagues around age 10 and recording no high school game snaps initially.[4] As a sophomore, he attended a University of North Carolina summer camp and impressed coaches with his athleticism despite the absence of film, securing a full scholarship offer from head coach Butch Davis—the first major-college scholarship of his career.[4] This early opportunity came amid initial oversight from other programs due to his late entry into the sport, though it propelled his development as he joined the Ben L. Smith team for his junior and senior seasons.[4] Ebron emerged as a versatile two-way player, contributing significantly on both offense and defense. In his junior year, he tallied 24 receptions for 408 yards and 4 touchdowns.[11] His senior season marked a breakout, with 28 receptions for 682 yards and 10 touchdowns offensively, complemented by 68 tackles and 13.5 sacks defensively.[11] These performances earned him Super Prep All-American honors and selection to the Associated Press North Carolina All-State team, as well as a spot in the North Carolina Shrine Bowl where he lined up as a wide receiver.[11][12] Ebron's high school exploits drew widespread recruitment interest, positioning him as the No. 8 tight end nationally according to ESPNU rankings.[13] He fielded offers from ACC and SEC programs, including Alabama and Tennessee, along with continued pursuits from schools like Miami and Virginia even after his verbal commitment.[14][15] Ultimately, Ebron chose to commit to the University of North Carolina, signing his National Letter of Intent on February 2, 2011, over the competing suitors.[13]College career
University of North Carolina
Eric Ebron joined the University of North Carolina football team in 2011 as a true freshman tight end, where he served primarily as a reserve player, appearing in 10 games and contributing to the Tar Heels' offensive efforts.[16] In his sophomore season of 2012, Ebron emerged as the full-time starter at tight end, participating in all 11 games and establishing himself as the most productive tight end in the Atlantic Coast Conference with his growing role in the passing attack.[17] Ebron's junior year in 2013 marked a significant breakout, during which he recorded 62 receptions for 973 receiving yards and 3 touchdowns, setting a single-season ACC record for yards by a tight end.[16][18] His performance earned him First Team All-ACC honors and a spot as a finalist for the John Mackey Award, recognizing the nation's top tight end.[19] Throughout his time at UNC, Ebron's playing style evolved to emphasize his rare athleticism and speed, positioning him as an "F" tight end who created mismatches against linebackers and defensive backs in the passing game.[20][21] This versatility allowed him to stretch the field and exploit defensive alignments, enhancing the Tar Heels' offensive flexibility. After the 2013 season, Ebron elected to forgo his senior year of eligibility and declare for the 2014 NFL Draft, a decision announced by the university following UNC's bowl preparation.[22] During his collegiate career, he majored in communication studies.[11]College statistics
| Year | Class | Games | Receptions | Yards | Avg | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | FR | 10 | 10 | 207 | 20.7 | 1 |
| 2012 | SO | 11 | 40 | 625 | 15.6 | 4 |
| 2013 | JR | 13 | 62 | 973 | 15.7 | 3 |