The Unsung Hero of the Cleveland Browns...

February 15, 1935, in Trenton, Tennessee, Robert "Gene" Hickerson became a cornerstone of the Cleveland Browns' offensive line, paving the way for legendary running backs and earning his own place in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.  

College Career:

Hickerson played college football at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss) from 1955 to 1957. Initially a fullback in high school, he transitioned to tackle at Ole Miss under coach Johnny Vaught. He quickly established himself as one of the Southeastern Conference's premier offensive linemen. In 1955, he helped the Rebels win the SEC title and the Cotton Bowl. By his senior year in 1957, Hickerson was a consensus All-SEC and All-South selection and co-captain of the team that won the Sugar Bowl. He was also named to the All-Time Sugar Bowl Team.  

Road to the Pro Game:

Despite his collegiate accolades, Hickerson was drafted in the seventh round (78th overall) of the 1957 NFL Draft by the Cleveland Browns. He joined the team in 1958 and was moved to offensive guard, a position that better utilized his surprising speed and athleticism for a lineman. After his first three seasons, a broken leg sidelined him for the 1961 season. However, he returned in 1962 and remarkably did not miss another game until his retirement.  

Football Legacy:

Gene Hickerson was the silent force behind the Cleveland Browns' dominant running game for over a decade. He served as the lead blocker for three Hall of Fame running backs: Jim Brown, Bobby Mitchell, and Leroy Kelly. Brown himself called Hickerson "the greatest downfield blocker in the history of pro football." Hickerson's speed and agility allowed him to execute crucial blocks on sweeps and pitchouts, redefining the role of the offensive guard. During his 15 seasons with the Browns, the team never had a losing record and featured a 1,000-yard rusher in all but one season. Hickerson started in four NFL Championship games, including the Browns' 1964 victory. Despite his consistent excellence and pivotal role, individual accolades came later in his career. He was finally inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2007, a long-overdue recognition of his immense contributions.  

Accolades, Awards, and Career Stats:

✦ NFL Champion (1964)  

✦ 5x First-team All-Pro (1966-1970)  

✦ 2x Second-team All-Pro (1964, 1965)  

✦ 6x Pro Bowl (1965-1970)  

✦ NFL 1960s All-Decade Team

✦ Cleveland Browns Ring of Honor

✦ First-team All-SEC (1957)  

✦ Pro Football Hall of Fame (2007)

✦ Games Played: 202

Info courtesy of Newspapers.com and Pro-Football-Reference.com