By Jimmy Gilliam
sports@mckenziebanner.com |
Gene Hickerson Induction Ceremonies -
Gene Hickerson was escorted on stage at the NFL
induction ceremonies by former Cleveland Browns running
backs Jim Brown, Bobby Mitchell, and Leroy Kelly.
See more photos and video at the
Pro Football Hall of Fame
Web site.
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CANTON, OHIO (August 4) With thousands in attendance and
millions watching from around the world, Gene Hickerson
was inducted into the National Football League's Hall of
Fame.
Hickerson, born February 15, 1935 in Trenton, was
a Trezevant (Tennessee) High School graduate and the
captain of the 1953 season high school football team as
a full back and linebacker before playing at Ole Miss
where his performance at the tackle position landed him
in the State of Mississippi sports Hall of Fame.
Former Trezevant High School teammate Bobby Argo stated,
"Gene was an outstanding football player who was fast,
tough, and just liked to play the game."
Argo quickly noted that it usually took more than one
person to tackle Gene and that his presence on the field
make a lot of boys step aside.
Argo has kept in contact with Gene and Willie Hickerson
through the years and says they have been friends since
the Hickerson's enrolled in the Trezevant school system
when Gene was a sophomore.
When asked about the induction ceremonies, Argo stated,
"It sent chills down my spine. It was quiet an
experience and it took a long time to get him into the
Hall of Fame, he's well deserving."
Argo concluded by stating that it was an honor to have
grown up with a future hall of famer.
Billy Younger of McLemoresville, who was a teammate of
Gene's on the Trezevant football team, stated, "I
consider Gene a food friend."
Younger continued, "Gene far surpasses any senior today
with his size, speed, and agility."
Younger reflected on the high school years, "He was a
well-mannered young man who was well-liked. But on the
field, Gene was a man that you didn't hit above the
waist or he would put you on the ground."
Younger concluded by stating, "Gene's NFL Hall of Fame
induction is well-deserved. He is a great individual."
Gene's brother, Willie, stated that Gene towered above
others on other Rebels' and Gene could run like a deer
and hit like a bull. At 6 foot 3 inches and weighing 235
pounds, he could run 100 yards in 10 seconds. Gene was
considered one of the best linemen in the Southeastern
Conference while in college. Gene appeared in the 1956
Cotton Bowl and the 1958 Sugar Bowl games, and also
played with the 1958 College All-Star team before he was
drafted by the Browns in 1957 as a tackle, then moved to
guard position later.
Drafted into the NFL in 1958, the Cleveland Browns
quickly secured Gene for their offensive line. The
Browns selected him as a future choice in the 7th round
of the 1957 NFL Draft.
Hickerson was promptly shifted to guard to better
utilize his speed. He had to pay his dues by first
serving as one of Hall of Fame coach Paul Brown's
"messenger" guards. Hickerson quickly went from
delivering plays to the huddle to establishing himself
as the steady lead blocker for three future Hall of Fame
running backs - Jim Brown, Bobby Mitchell, and Leroy
Kelly.
After just three seasons in the NFL, Hickerson's career
was slowed when he suffered a broken leg in the 1961
pre-season opener. He fractured the leg again late in
the year when he was hit while watching a game from the
sideline.
After sitting out two games in 1962, Hickerson never
missed another game for the remainder of his career.
Along the way, he gained the reputation as the lead
guard for Brown, regarded as one of the game's greatest
runners. But, the official accolades really did not come
until after Brown retired and Leroy Kelly became
Cleveland's featured back. Hickerson earned first-team
All-NFL acclaim five straight seasons, 1966-1970, and
was voted to six consecutive Pro Bowls from 1966 to
1971.
By the time Hickerson retired following the 1973 season
at age of 38, his accomplishments on the football field
were unquestioned. During his tenure, the Browns never
experienced a losing season. In all, he played in 202
games during his career and started at right guard in
four NFL title games that included the Browns' 27-0 win
over the Baltimore Colts in the 1964 NFL Championship
Game.
Prior to Hickerson joining the Browns, there had been
just seven runners in the entire history of the NFL to
reach 1,000 yards rushing in a season. With Hickerson
paving the way, the Browns featured a 1,000-yard rusher
in every season but one during Gene's first 10 pro
seasons. Furthermore, Cleveland featured the NFL's
leading ground gainer in seven of those seasons.
Hickerson's contribution in helping that happen was
recognized when he was named to the NFL's All-Decade
Team of the 1960s.
Gene was named to The Sporting News NFL Eastern
Conference All-Star teams in 1966, 1967, 1968, and 1969,
to the UPI, AP and Hall of Fame NFL All-Star teams in
1969 and to the UPI American Conference All-Star team in
1970. He has helped provide some of the best pass
protection in the league to the benefit of Bill Nelsen
who claimed that Gene was a mobile and devastating
blocker.
He was regarded as one of the best, if not the finest,
linemen in the Southeastern Conference during the end of
his collegiate career.
During the Hall of Fame induction ceremonies, Bobby
Franklin stated, "Gene Hickerson and I have been friends
for approximately 52 years. We became friends when I was
a freshman at the University of Mississippi. Gene was
two years ahead of me. He was such a great athlete that
the Browns drafted him his junior year. I don't think
they drafted a year early unless it was someone real
special. They thought he was real special. Everybody
knew how strong Gene was, had great feet, and tremendous
speed.
Paul Brown moved him to the right guard spot where he
could block and pull. He realized that Gene needed to be
in this full time to be able to lead the way for the
great running back Jim Brown. You don't find very often
a lineman with the speed that Gene Hickerson had and the
strength he had. He led the way for three great running
backs: Jim Brown, Bobby Mitchell and Leroy Kelly. That
speaks for itself that he played for 15 years as a
starter.
Gene wasn't a guy that talked and bragged about himself.
He was a pretty quiet person. He wasn't an outgoing
person. He just did his job and took pride in doing his
job.
When Jim Brown ran well or Leroy Kelly, Bobby Mitchell
ran well, Gene was happy. I even heard Jim Brown make a
statement one time talking about Gene, what speed he had
in pulling, in leading the way for him to get up field.
He said Gene also had the speed to stay up field and
throw the down field block, which sprang the runner to
make the long run, which was exciting for the fans.
I would say Gene was pretty valuable to the team. He
made the Pro Bowl, All NFL. Gene left the game on his
own time. Gene's son, Bob Hickerson, called me and asked
me if I would present Gene Hickerson. The fact that Gene
has been ill for the last several years, I was a little
hesitant because being as close as Gene Hickerson and I
were, it's a tough thing for me to do, as you can see
right here, today. I've got to make myself tough when I
start talking about Gene. But it's a great honor to be
asked to present my best friend."
Bobby Franklin continued, "I can't begin to tell you
what an honor it is for me to stand before you and speak
about the Class of 2007 inductee, Gene Hickerson, my
teammate and friend of 52 years.
As a teammate of Gene's at both the University of
Mississippi and the Browns, I personally, like many of
you, have been waiting and hoping for this honor to be
bestowed on him for far too long. Gene has been eligible
for the Hall since 1979. For many years he was a
finalist, but with so many other deserving players he
never seemed to make it.
Gene Hickerson will tell you he had the good fortune too
have been able to block for some of the greatest running
backs the NFL has ever had, like Jim Brown, Bobby
Mitchell and Leroy Kelly. No one can argue with that.
But if you actually talk to those three Hall of Famers
today, they will tell you they were the lucky ones to
have had Gene Hickerson leading the way through
defensive units geared to stop them.
In Gene's 15 years with the Browns, they had nine
seasons with a thousand yards rushing. Gene will also
tell you that he would not be here today without the
help of many of his offensive line teammates like Dick
Schafrath, John Wooten, Jim Ray Smith, Monte Clark, John
Morrow and Doug Dieken, just to name a few.
Gene finished his entire career as a member of the
Cleveland Browns, a fact he was extremely proud of. He
quietly did his job as well as anyone ever in the NFL.
In all circumstances I would be almost to the point of
introducing my good friend to you, Gene Hickerson. Gene
would then step to the podium, tell you how thrilled he
is to receive this honor today, and crack a joke or two.
Unfortunately he won't be doing that, as my friend has
become ill in the last year or so and will not be able
to speak to you today. Even though he is here, I love
Gene Hickerson as if he were my brother. I know his son,
Bob, his daughter Nancy, his brother Willie and the
remainder of his friends, family and teammates do, too.
Borrowing these words from another Hall of Famer, Gene
Hickerson.
In closing, it is my honor to present to you the newest
member of the professional football Hall of Fame, only
the second member to come from the University of
Mississippi, joining Bruiser Kinard, and the 16th
Cleveland Brown to be inducted, let's hear it for Bob
Hickerson, his son, who will be accepting for his Gene
today, Number 66 Gene Hickerson."
Gene's brother, Willie, was the quest speaker at the
West Carroll Area Alumni Association in June where he
stated, "Jim Goodwin was the postmaster at Trezevant. He
was a big time Ole Miss fan, where his son attended. He
wrote the coaches at Ole Miss several letters in the
fall begging them to come to Trezevant and look at this
great athlete. Football had only been in existence for
three years at Trezevant and they had never won a game,
why would you send somebody to look at a football
player. Mr. Goodwin did not give up. In the spring,
we're getting ready to get out of school and Goodwin
picked up the telephone and called Ole Miss,
embarrassing the coaches. Telling them, I've written you
several letters and you never even seem to care. I'm
calling you today to tell you that we've got this great
athlete here and ya'll don't even act like you need
great athletes."
Willie continued, "Goodwin called our house when the
coaches finally came to Trezevant stating they wanted to
see Gene. We lived on a farm about three miles from here
and they drove up in the yard, the head recruiter and
the backfield coach. Gene and I played in the backfield
at the time. When they drove up in the yard, Gene walks
out the front door. As he's walking down the steps, the
backfield coach says, Tom, what do you think? Tom said
let's take him. Without seeing him run a step, without
seeing anything, they gave him a scholarship on how he
looked. They had no idea that he could outrun a freight
train."
Willie continued, "His second year, there was no bowl
game. We had a 7-3 record. The third year, Gene was MVP
of the Cotton Bowl as Ole Miss defeated TCU. In his
fifth year, I had the pleasure of playing side by side
with my big brother. Can you imagine playing in front of
60,000 to 70,000 people there and your big brother is
shouting at you and I would reply. Finally, the
quarterback would say, will y'all please hush and let us
call the play.
After we played in the Sugar Bowl that year, Gene
traveled to Mobile, Alabama to play in the Senior Bowl.
After the season ended, the awards were announced, Gene
made all-conference. At that time, there was no such
thing as an All-American. In 1996, we celebrated one
hundred years of Ole Miss football. Over a one hundred
year period, there are a lot of people to pick from and
Ole Miss fans voted for an all-century team. Gene was
one of eleven players that received that honor. When you
play for a school that has a hundred years of football
history and you're one of the eleven best players,
that's got to make a statement. In 1978 and 1979 Gene
was nominated for the NFL Hall of Fame, but didn't
receive the votes for induction. In 2007, they put Gene
in the Hall of Fame this year. I have never really
thought about it, but this is one of the most exclusive
clubs in the country. They have had professional
football for 87 years in this country. The State of
Mississippi has one player in the Hall of Fame, other
than Gene (Frank Kinard). The State of Tennessee has one
person besides Gene in the Hall of Fame, Doug Atkins
(Humboldt)."
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Gene Hickerson today.
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Accepting on behalf of Gene was his son Bob Hickerson
stated, "We all wish Gene could be speaking with you,
but unfortunately due to his circumstances he's unable
to do so.
Gene was very, very pleased when he did receive
notification that had been elected into the Hall of
Fame. It's a tremendous honor and it's a well-deserved
crowning achievement of his career.
In my opinion, Gene is actually joining football
royalty. I've been around a lot of these players this
week and I'm in awe of the great talent and wonderful
athletes that he is joining into the Hall of Fame.
Gene had many supporters who had been pulling for him to
achieve this honor over the years. I'd like to recognize
a select few this evening.
First I wish to extend Gene's gratitude to the voting
committee that elected him into the Hall of Fame with a
special thank you to Mr. Don Pierson of the Chicago
Tribune. It's my understanding that Mr. Pierson stood
and spoke for Gene, spoke on his behalf, and I think
that held a lot of weight with him actually being
elected.
Bobby Franklin recognized Tony Grossi. I also would like
to mention him. With the Plain Dealer, he has written
many articles over the years to keep Gene's name in
front of the public, just keep reminding people that
Gene deserves to be here in the Hall of Fame, so our
thanks to him.
Also on behalf of Gene, I'd like to extend his thank you
to the Cleveland Browns and the Cleveland Browns
organization, with a special thank to Mr. Dino Lucarelli.
Mr. Lucarelli is the alumni director for the Browns.
He's been a very good friend and supporter of Jean for
many years. He told Gene, he's told him for years, Gene,
when you make it to Canton I'm going to be right there
with you. He is. He's actually hosting a reception for
him later this evening.
Gene is actually the 16th member of the Cleveland Browns
to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. A few of the one
of my friends actually said some of the fans have
mentioned that they were calling Gene Sweet 16. Well,
that might be so, but I believe there are a few
defensive backs and you linebackers that probably
wouldn't think Gene is that sweet.
Also on his behalf I'd like to extend his gratitude to
the many great athletes that he had a privilege of
playing with over the years. We're very grateful to
Bobby Franklin for agreeing to be his presenter. It's
fitting that Bobby is Gene's presenter because he and
Bobby have been best of friends for many, many years,
back to Ole Miss days.
I'd also like to extend Gene's gratitude to Mr. Jim
Houston. Mr. Houston has been very gracious to attend
several press events and speak to the media of what it
was like playing with Gene over the years, what it was
like being a teammate of his.
I'd also like to extend Gene's gratitude to Mr. Doug
Deacon and Mr. Dick Schafrath, both who reside in
northern Ohio, both who have been very close to Gene.
They've been great about visiting Gene, checking on him,
see how he's doing, following up on his condition, what
have you."
Bob Hickerson continued, "I also wish to express Gene's
gratitude to the many, many fans that have been pulling
for him over the years. Many people have come up to me,
if they associate my name with his, and say, he deserves
to be here. He deserves this honor. So I'd like to
extend his gratitude.
Bob Hickerson concluded, "Lastly I wish to extend Gene's
gratitude and my personal thanks to Mr. Steve Perry and
Mr. Joe Horrigan, the entire staff of the Pro Football
Hall of Fame. Due to his condition, there's a lot of
uncertainties about the induction ceremony here, how we
would handle it. The induction process was not a normal
process for him. Their staff has been very supportive
and they've been very professional and they tried to put
us at ease. No matter what came up, no matter what
happened, we had a plan for it. I'd like to extend our
thanks to them, as well.
I'd like to share a story with you that someone relayed
to me years ago. I had a client in Indiana; his name was
Mr. Charles Shaw. Mr. Shaw is a fine gentleman. He was
an avid Cleveland Browns fan. He told me that once,
after watching a successful Cleveland Browns game in
which Hall of Fame running back Leroy Kelly had one of
his many outstanding games where he scored several
times, gained a lot of yardage, he was being interviewed
by a sports journalist. To set the stage, this was the
year after Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown retired.
The journalist said, Leroy, you just had an outstanding
game. He said, you were able to be a backup to Jim Brown
for a few years and watch him play. He said, so you
probably learned a lot by watching and observing Jim
Brown run the football.
He said that Mr. Kelly paused for a moment and said, I
did learn a lot by watching Jim Brown run the ball. He
said, I learned to follow Gene Hickerson."
Following the acceptance speech, was still leading the
way for Hall of Fame running backs Bobby Mitchell and
Jim Brown as they helped him onstage in his wheelchair.
Gene Hickerson Stats:
- Hickerson blocked for three different Hall of Fame
runners - Bobby Mitchell, Jim Brown, and Leroy Kelly
- The Browns never suffered a losing season during
Hickerson's career, 1958-1973.
- When Hickerson retired following the 1973 season,
two of the runners he served as lead blocker for were
ranked No. 1 and No. 4 on the all-time rushing chart.
Jim Brown was the game's all-time leader and Leroy Kelly
was the fourth-ranked rusher.
- Gene started at right guard in four NFL title games
including the Browns' 27-0 shutout of the Baltimore
Colts in the 1964 NFL Championship Game.
- Hickerson, who starred at right guard, played left
guard during his final two seasons.
- Before Hickerson joined the Browns, there had only
been seven runners in NFL history ever to rush for 1,000
yards. During Gene's first 10 seasons, the Browns had a
1,000-yard rusher every year but one.
It's been a long time in the making. Media
representatives from each NFL city do the Hall of Fame
voting. Through the years, Hickerson watched first
Brown, then Mitchell and finally Kelly go into the Hall
of Fame. Meanwhile, he would fall just short of
receiving the needed votes. If it bothered him, he never
said so publicly.
