If you are a fan of American football, you might have heard of AJ Dillon and Corey Dillon, two running backs who have played in the National Football League (NFL). AJ Dillon is a current player for the Green Bay Packers, while Corey Dillon is a retired player who played for the Cincinnati Bengals and the New England Patriots. But are they related? Do they share a family bond or just a surname? Here is the truth about the NFL running backs.
Contents
AJ Dillon: A Rising Star for the Packers
AJ Dillon is a 23-year-old running back who was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He played college football for Boston College, where he was a three-time First-team All-ACC, a one-time ACC Rookie of the Year and a one-time ACC Offensive Rookie of the Year, all in 2017. He finished his college career as the school’s all-time leader in rushing yards (4,382) and rushing touchdowns (38).
In his rookie season with the Packers, AJ Dillon was the third running back on the depth chart, behind veterans Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams. He saw limited action in his first 10 games, logging 24 carries for 115 yards and no touchdowns. However, he had a breakout performance in Week 16 against the Tennessee Titans, rushing for 124 yards and two touchdowns on 21 carries. He also had a key role in the NFC Championship Game against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, catching a 13-yard pass on third down to set up a touchdown.
AJ Dillon is expected to have a bigger role in the Packers’ offense in 2021, as Jamaal Williams left the team in free agency. He will form a dynamic duo with Aaron Jones, who signed a four-year contract extension with the Packers. AJ Dillon has impressed his teammates and coaches with his physicality, speed and work ethic. He has also earned the nickname “The Quadfather” for his massive quadriceps muscles.
Corey Dillon: A Former Pro Bowler and Super Bowl Champion
Corey Dillon is a 46-year-old former running back who played in the NFL for 10 seasons, from 1997 to 2006. He played college football for the Washington Huskies, where he set several school records, including most rushing yards in a single game (222) and most rushing touchdowns in a single season (24). He was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 1997 NFL Draft.
Corey Dillon spent his first seven seasons with the Bengals, where he was one of the few bright spots on a struggling team. He made four Pro Bowls and broke several franchise records, including most rushing yards in a single game (278) and most rushing yards in a single season (1,435). He also set an NFL record for most rushing yards in a quarter (142) in 2000.
In 2004, Corey Dillon was traded to the New England Patriots, where he had his best season ever. He rushed for 1,635 yards and 12 touchdowns, helping the Patriots win their third Super Bowl title in four years. He also scored a touchdown in Super Bowl XXXIX against the Philadelphia Eagles. He played two more seasons with the Patriots before retiring after the 2006 season.
Corey Dillon finished his NFL career with 11,241 rushing yards and 82 rushing touchdowns, ranking him 20th and 17th respectively on the all-time lists. He also had 1,398 receiving yards and six receiving touchdowns. He is widely regarded as one of the best running backs of his era and one of the most underrated players in NFL history.
The Verdict: No Relation Between AJ Dillon and Corey Dillon
Despite their similar names, positions and careers, there is no relation between AJ Dillon and Corey Dillon at all. They are not father and son, brothers or cousins. They are not even from the same state: AJ Dillon was born in New London, Connecticut, while Corey Dillon was born in Seattle, Washington.
