Gene Hickerson facts for kids
Hickerson (left) with Robert Jackson in 1979
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| No. 66 | |||||
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| Position: | Offensive guard | ||||
| Personal information | |||||
| Born: | February 15, 1935 Trenton, Tennessee, U.S. |
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| Died: | October 20, 2008 (aged 73) Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
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| Career information | |||||
| High school: | Trezevant (TN) | ||||
| College: | Ole Miss | ||||
| NFL Draft: | 1957 / Round: 7 / Pick: 78 | ||||
| Career history | |||||
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| Career highlights and awards | |||||
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| Career NFL statistics | |||||
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| Player stats at PFR | |||||
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Pro Football Hall of Fame
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Robert Gene Hickerson (born February 15, 1935 – died October 20, 2008) was an amazing American football player. He played as an offensive guard for the Cleveland Browns in the National Football League (NFL). Gene played for 15 years, from 1958 to 1960 and then from 1962 to 1973. He was chosen for the Pro Bowl six times between 1965 and 1970. Gene Hickerson was honored by being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007.
Contents
Gene Hickerson: A Football Legend
Starting Strong: College Football Days
Gene Hickerson was born in Trenton, Tennessee. He played football in high school as a fullback. Later, he went to the University of Mississippi, where he became a tackle. During his time at Ole Miss, many people thought he was one of the best offensive linemen in the history of the Southeastern Conference.
Becoming a Pro: The Cleveland Browns Years
The Cleveland Browns picked Gene in the seventh round of the 1957 NFL draft. This meant they chose him to play for their team. In 1958, he moved to the guard position on the offensive line. This change helped him use his speed better.
His coach, Paul Brown, even used Gene as a "messenger" guard. This meant Gene would run the plays from the coach to the huddle. He helped block for famous players like Jim Brown, Bobby Mitchell, and Leroy Kelly. These players are all in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
After three seasons, Gene broke his leg in 1961. He broke it again later that year while watching a game. But Gene was tough! He missed only two games in 1962. After that, he never missed another game for the rest of his career.
Gene started getting lots of awards after Jim Brown retired. He was still blocking for Leroy Kelly. Gene was named a first-team All-Pro five years in a row, from 1966 to 1970. He also went to six straight Pro Bowls from 1966 to 1971.
During Gene's career, the Browns never had a losing season. This means they always won more games than they lost. He started in four NFL championship games. In 1964, his team won the NFL Championship by beating the Baltimore Colts 27–0.
For 10 of Gene's professional seasons, the Browns had a player who rushed for over 1,000 yards. This is a big achievement for a running back. They also had the NFL's leading rusher in seven of those ten seasons. Gene was chosen for the Browns' legends team. He was also named to the NFL 1960s All-Decade Team, which honors the best players of that time.
In 2007, Gene was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. This is a very special honor for football players. By then, he was using a wheelchair due to health issues. His former teammates, Bobby Mitchell, Jim Brown, and Leroy Kelly, pushed his wheelchair onto the stage. It was a touching moment, like "one last time, Gene Hickerson leads Bobby Mitchell, Jim Brown, and Leroy Kelly." His friend and former teammate, Bobby Franklin, introduced him.
Remembering Gene Hickerson
Gene Hickerson passed away on October 20, 2008, near Cleveland, Ohio. To honor him, the Cleveland Browns added a special "GH" badge to their helmets for the 2008 season.
