Herman Hickman: Tennessee Vols Legend & Hall of Famer

Herman Hickman dominated the gridiron as a formidable guard for the University of Tennessee before transitioning into an NFL All-Pro, a professional wrestler, and a legendary collegiate head coach.

Football Bio

October 1, 1911 – Herman Hickman, a former University of Tennessee Volunteer guard who played from 1929 through the 1931 season.

The National Football Foundation bio describes him as one of the best offensive blockers in the game’s early history.

He was so good that he is often said in the same conversations as the great guard Pudge Heffelfinger of Yale.

This young man was an athlete; he gained twenty-some pounds from the time he first reported to the Tennessee football program, but never lost a step.

In fact, he was known to be one of the fastest players on the Volunteers’ squad. The Vols went 27-1-2 while Hickman was on the team.

Herman went on to play professional football with the Brooklyn Dodgers, and he made All-Pro every year he was in the league.

The big man then decided to try professional wrestling and was known as the “Tennessee Terror” in the ring.

Hickman later returned to football as a coach and even earned the head coaching position at Yale.

Later, he was a staff writer for Sports Illustrated and occasionally appeared on television.

The National Football Foundation voted Herman Hickman into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1959. [National Football Foundation]

Herman Hickman secured a unique legacy in American sports history by effortlessly translating his rare blend of size and speed into success across college football, the NFL, and the professional wrestling ring.

Verified Accolades and Football Accomplishments

• Inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 1959.
• Consensus First-Team All-American (1931) at the University of Tennessee.
• Named to the All-Southern Conference team (1931).
• Helped lead the Tennessee Volunteers to a dominant 27-1-2 record during his playing tenure (1929–1931).
• Played professionally for the NFL’s Brooklyn Dodgers (1932–1934), earning All-Pro recognition.
• Served as an assistant coach at Wake Forest, NC State, and Army (under Earl “Red” Blaik).
• Served as the head football coach for Yale University (1948–1951).
• Built a successful secondary career as a professional wrestler known as “The Tennessee Terror.”

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