Herman Hickman facts for kids
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| Biographical details | |
|---|---|
| Born | October 1, 1911 Johnson City, Tennessee, U.S. |
| Died | April 25, 1958 (aged 46) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Playing career | |
| 1929–1931 | Tennessee |
| 1932–1934 | Brooklyn Dodgers |
| Position(s) | Guard |
| Coaching career (HC unless noted) | |
| c. 1935 | Wake Forest (line) |
| c. 1940 | NC State (line) |
| 1943–1947 | Army (line) |
| 1948–1951 | Yale |
| Head coaching record | |
| Overall | 16–17–2 |
| Accomplishments and honors | |
| Awards | |
| All-American, 1931 All-Pro (1933) |
|
| College Football Hall of Fame Inducted in 1959 (profile) |
|
Herman Michael Hickman (born October 1, 1911 – died April 25, 1958) was a famous American football player and coach. He played college football at the University of Tennessee. Later, he played professionally in the National Football League (NFL) for the Brooklyn Dodgers.
After his playing days, Hickman became a head football coach at Yale University from 1948 to 1951. He had a record of 16 wins, 17 losses, and 2 ties. Beyond football, he was also a television and radio analyst. He worked as a broadcaster, a writer, and even a professional wrestler!
Coach Robert Neyland thought very highly of Hickman. One football writer said Hickman was "the best guard the South ever produced." Coach Neyland disagreed, saying, "Herman Hickman is the greatest guard football has ever known." Hickman was added to the College Football Hall of Fame as a player in 1959.
Contents
Herman Hickman's Early Life
Herman Hickman was born on October 1, 1911. His hometown was Johnson City, Tennessee. He went to Baylor School, where he played fullback on the football team.
Hickman's Football Playing Career
Playing for Tennessee Volunteers
Hickman attended the University of Tennessee. He played for the Tennessee Volunteers football team from 1929 to 1931. During his second year, he played as a tackle.
However, he was considered a bit small for a tackle at 5 feet 10 inches and 230 pounds. So, by his third year, he moved to play as a guard.
In 1931, he was named to Grantland Rice's All-America team. This honor came after his great performance in a charity game against New York University (NYU). During that game, NYU had the ball close to the goal line. They tried to run four plays right at Hickman, but he stopped them every time. NYU lost the ball at the 23-yard line.
Hickman was also chosen for the All-Southern team in 1931. His teammate, Gene McEver, also made the team. Hickman once described Coach Neyland's focus on defense. He said, "If Neyland could score a touchdown against you he had you beat. If he could score two, he had you in a rout."
Playing in the NFL
After his time at Tennessee, Hickman played professional football. He joined the National Football League's Brooklyn Dodgers. He played for them from 1932 to 1934. In 1933, he was named an All-Pro player at left guard.
Hickman's Coaching Career
Herman Hickman started his coaching career as an assistant. He worked at Wake Forest University and North Carolina State University. He also coached at the United States Military Academy.
In 1948, he became the head coach at Yale University. He led the Yale Bulldogs team for four seasons. His team's record was 16 wins, 17 losses, and 2 ties. He left his coaching position in 1951.
Other Exciting Activities
Herman Hickman was known for being a fantastic speaker. He was often invited to speak at dinners and events. He also worked on television, helping to broadcast football games. He appeared on radio and TV talk shows too.
As a writer, he was sometimes called "Poet Laureate of the Little Smokies." He was also a staff writer for Sports Illustrated magazine. But that's not all! Hickman was also a professional wrestler. He was known as "The Tennessee Terror." He competed in over 500 wrestling matches!
Herman Hickman's Honors and Legacy
Hickman received many honors during his life and after.
Handsome Dan VII
Handsome Dan VII was the mascot for the Yale Bulldogs. This bulldog was given to Hickman when it was three years old. The dog had a bit of a bad temper. This made him a good watchdog for a Florida estate, which was his next home.
Herman Hickman Scholarship
After Herman Hickman passed away in 1958, a special scholarship was created. It was named the Herman Hickman Scholarship. Alumni and friends of the University of Tennessee started it. This scholarship helps college athletes who are studying for a graduate degree. The students receive $1,000 each semester.
