Eric Kendricks
A cerebral and relentless linebacker whose on-field intelligence and tackling prowess made him the defensive anchor for a decade in Minnesota.
Born 1992 (age 34)·American football player·Birthday: February 29·Millennials
Biography
Eric Kendricks grew up in Fresno, California, part of a football family where his older brother Mychal also reached the NFL. At UCLA, he transformed from a somewhat undersized recruit into a defensive force, leading the nation in tackles and capturing the Butkus Award as the country's top linebacker in 2014. Drafted by the Minnesota Vikings, he quickly became the heart of their defense, a player whose pre-snap recognition and ability to diagnose plays were as valuable as his hard hits. For eight seasons, he was the consistent, vocal leader in the middle of the field, earning a First-Team All-Pro nod in 2019. After a stint with the Los Angeles Chargers and a brief period in Dallas, he joined the San Francisco 49ers, bringing his veteran savvy to a championship contender. His career is a testament to how film study and football IQ can elevate physical talent to an elite level.
Millennials
1981–1996
The first digital natives. Grew up with the internet, came of age during 9/11 and the 2008 crash. Highly educated, deeply indebted, slower to marry and buy houses. Redefined work, identity, and what it means to be an adult.
Eric was born in 1992, placing them squarely in the Millennials. The events that shaped this generation — the internet revolution, 9/11, and the 2008 financial crisis — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Eric Was Born
The biggest hits of 1992
#1 Movie
Aladdin
Best Picture
Unforgiven
#1 TV Show
60 Minutes
Eric's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1992Born
LA riots after Rodney King verdict
Gas: $1.13/galHome: $84,300Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"End of the Road" — Boyz II MenBest Picture: Unforgiven
1997Started school
Princess Diana dies in Paris car crash; Harry Potter published
Gas: $1.23/galHome: $104,100Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Candle in the Wind 1997" — Elton JohnBest Picture: Titanic
2005Became a teenager
Hurricane Katrina devastates New Orleans; YouTube launches
Gas: $2.30/galHome: $167,500Min wage: $5.15/hrPresident: George W. Bush"We Belong Together" — Mariah CareyBest Picture: Crash
2008Could drive
Barack Obama elected first Black US president; financial crisis
Gas: $3.27/galHome: $153,100Min wage: $6.55/hrPresident: George W. Bush"Low" — Flo RidaBest Picture: Slumdog Millionaire
2010Could vote
Deepwater Horizon oil spill; iPad launched
Gas: $2.79/galHome: $147,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Tik Tok" — KeshaBest Picture: The King's Speech
2013Turned 21
Edward Snowden reveals NSA surveillance programs
Gas: $3.53/galHome: $152,800Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Barack Obama"Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan LewisBest Picture: 12 Years a Slave
2022Turned 30
Russia invades Ukraine; Queen Elizabeth II dies
Gas: $3.97/galHome: $348,700Min wage: $7.25/hrPresident: Joe Biden"As It Was" — Harry StylesBest Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
2026Age 34 today
Gas: $3.91/galPresident: Donald Trump
Key Achievements
- Won the 2014 Butkus Award as the top collegiate linebacker in the nation while at UCLA.
- Earned First-Team All-Pro honors in 2019 as a member of the Minnesota Vikings.
- Recorded over 100 tackles in six consecutive NFL seasons from 2015 to 2020.
- Named a team captain for the Minnesota Vikings for multiple seasons.
Did You Know?
His older brother, Mychal Kendricks, also played linebacker in the NFL, and they faced each other as opponents in the 2017 NFC Championship game.
He majored in History at UCLA.
He and his wife, Ally, are actively involved in charitable work, including their 'Impact 54' foundation focused on youth empowerment.
“I have to be the quarterback of the defense, the guy getting everyone lined up.”
