Dickerson says SMU's penalties keep him out of college hall

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Eric Dickerson believes SMU's so-called death penalty is the reason for his exclusion from the College Football Hall of Fame. Dickerson

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) Eric Dickerson believes SMU's so-called death penalty is the reason for his exclusion from the College Football Hall of Fame.

Dickerson was selected into the Pro Football of Fame in his first year of eligibility 17 years ago and was added to the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame on Friday. But SMU's career rushing leader, and part of the ''Pony Express'' from 1979-82, is still not in college football's hall.

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Dickerson says he really believes the death penalty is held against himself and others like Craig James.

NCAA sanctions led to the cancellation of SMU's 1987 season before the school opted for a two-year shutdown.

There are six SMU players in the College Football Hall of Fame, none who played there after 1968.