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Home > Blogs > Dawging the Browns > Archives > 2008 > October > 20 > Entry
Gene Hickerson dead at 73
Gene Hickerson did not get to live very long as a Hall of Famer.
The Jim Brown-era pulling guard, who became the 16th Brown inducted to the Pro Football Hall of Fame just last year, died this morning in Olmsted Falls, a Cleveland suburb, the Browns announced. He was 73.
A couple of quotes:
Browns head coach Romeo Crennel: “Everyone associated with the Cleveland Browns is saddened by the loss of Gene Hickerson. His tenacity as a blocker and toughness as a player epitomized what it means to be a Cleveland Brown. We send our thoughts, prayers and condolences to the Hickerson family.”
Jim Brown: “I would like to send my condolences to Gene’s family, and I want people all over this country to know that he was a great friend of mine, as well as a great protector of mine. He was a tremendous guard, a tremendous pulling guard, but also an outstanding individual. We all eventually leave this earth at some time, but I am so glad he was able to leave with his dignity and with the recognition from all of us, his former teammates, the fans and writers, who wanted him to go into the Hall of Fame after waiting so long for that honor. I truly respected him as a player and as a human being.”
Some background:
Hickerson joined the Browns as a seventh-round draft choice out of Mississippi in 1957. His 15-year career, all with the Browns (1958-60, 1962-73), ended in 1973 after he played in 202 games, which ranks fourth most in franchise history. In that time, he recorded a streak of 165 consecutive games played, which ranks fifth-longest in team annals.
He appeared in six Pro Bowls (1966-71) and was voted an all-league selection on five occasions (1966-70). He was named the NFL’s most outstanding blocker in 1969 and throughout his career was part of an offensive line that paved the way for three Hall of Famers, legendary running backs Jim Brown, Bobby Mitchell and Leroy Kelly.
Hickerson played in every game during his career, except for the 1961 season when he missed the year with a broken leg. Known as a versatile lineman, he broke into the starting lineup at right guard his second season with the Browns in 1958 and remained at right guard through the 1971 season.
He moved over to start at left guard for the final two seasons of his career from 1972-73. Hickerson helped Brown lead the NFL in rushing in eight of his nine seasons and also helped Leroy Kelly lead the league in rushing in 1968.
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Comments
By Tomas
October 20, 2008 10:10 PM | Link to this
He was a great player and will be missed by all of us loyal Browns fans. RIP, Gene!By bob
October 21, 2008 12:29 AM | Link to this
Iwas a old time browns fan.He was a great guard. May he rest in peace. I am glad he got into the hall of fame before he died.By Earl Dworkin
October 21, 2008 11:18 AM | Link to this
I go all the way back to 1957 when i met him at the oxford shop next to the Commodore hotel off of Euclid ave. We became friends .He derserved Hall of fame. We should be so lucky to find a BROWN now or in the future to match him.By Earl Dworkin
October 21, 2008 11:19 AM | Link to this
I go all the way back to 1957 when i met him at the oxford shop next to the Commodore hotel off of Euclid ave. We became friends .He derserved Hall of fame. We should be so lucky to find a BROWN now or in the future to match him.