Dick Kercher

Richard S. Kercher (March 11, 1932 – November 10, 2024) was an American professional football player who played one season with the Detroit Lions of the National Football League. He played collegiately for the University of Tulsa as a left halfback, starting for the top yardage-gaining offense in the country for the 1951 and 1952 seasons.

Early life

Richard S. Kercher was born March 11, 1932, in Evansville, Indiana. He attended Reitz Memorial High School in Evansville, where he was a halfback on the football team, playing both offensively and defensively. He was not a star player during his early high school years, failing to earn a varsity letter as a sophomore and being regarded only as a "promising" reserve left halfback playing out of the single-wing formation as a junior in 1948.

College career Dick Kercher (L) with his 1953 Tulsa backfield mates, Eddie Hughes (22) and Bill Travnick (23). Kercher attended the University of Tulsa in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

In 1951 he was part of a Golden Hurricane team which led the nation in total offense and finished second nationally in rushing. In the team's 1951 win against the arch-rival Oklahoma State Cowboys, Kercher turned in two highlight reel-caliber plays — a 70-yard punt return to the house and a wild two-yard touchdown run in which he reversed field all the way back at the 15-yard line to find an opening for the score. Kercher led the Golden Hurricane in rushing, with 16 carries for 71 yards, but was unable to find the end zone and Tulsa fell to the home team by a score of 14–13. He was named to the All-Missouri Valley Conference team for 1952.

Professional career

Kercher was selected in the 6th round of the 1954 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions, who made him the 73rd pick of the player lottery. He originally planned to play professionally in Canada, signing a deal with the Ottawa Rough Riders of the Big Four, but ultimately decided to remain in the United States and play with the Lions.

There was little room for him on the offensive side of the ball, however, as the Lions' established left halfback was Hall of Famer Doak Walker. Kercher was formally moved to right halfback but subsequently saw his primary opportunity to play on special teams and the defensive side of the ball.

Kercher played for the Lions in 7 games of the 1954 season, including two starts. His season was short-circuited by a fractured elbow suffered in the November 14 game against the San Francisco 49ers. He was placed on the 30-day injured reserve list by the Lions — effectively ending his season — on November 24. The 1955 season was therefore lost but hopes were expressed that Kercher would be able to return to the Lions in 1956.

Kercher was able to procure a new contract from the Lions for 1957 Detroit Lions season, however, and he made his way to Lions training camp.

Personal life Kercher's cousin, Bob Kercher, also played in the National Football League, as part of the 1944 roster of the Green Bay Packers.