Eric Kendricks

Eric Kendricks played college football at UCLA, becoming an essential component in its defense. In his senior season, he was the first to be awarded the Butkus Award as college football’s top linebacker as he set a Bruins career record with 481 tackles. He was drafted by the Minnesota Vikings 45th overall in the 2015 Draft and was a pivotal player on their defense. Notably, Kendricks signed a five-year contract extension prior to the 2018 season. Eric was voted into the Pro Bowl and recognized as First Team All-Pro in 2019 and finished the 2021-22 season as one of the league’s top linebackers. In March 2024, he signed with the Dallas Cowboys.

Kendricks’ prominence looms equally as large away from the game as he holds a strong voice in advocacy against racial injustice among other social issues.

Eric’s continuous efforts to give back to the community include selling his paintings to raise money for COVID-19 relief funds.

Kendricks’ service earned him a nomination for the Walter Payton Man of the Year Award in 2020. He’s battled childhood hunger for multiple years with Every Meal (formerly The Sheridan Story), invested in young people residing in the Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Center, and built relationships with formerly incarcerated adults who are earning their second chance through Minneapolis nonprofit All Square. Kendricks also was active on the Vikings Social Justice Committee.

In addition, Eric is a proud business owner of Switch Lanes, a hair cream focused on paving a road in the beauty industry.