By Darin How does an offensive lineman finish second in the Heisman Trophy voting? You have to be more than just a blocker; you have to be a force of nature. John Hicks was exactly that for Woody Hayes and the Ohio State Buckeyes. As the first player in history to start in three Rose Bowls and a rare sweep-winner of the Outland and Lombardi trophies, Hicks anchored a line that defined the “Three Yards and a Cloud of Dust” era. From his recovery from a devastating injury to his legendary 1973 campaign, this is the story of the man who many believe was the greatest interior lineman to ever lace up a pair of cleats in Columbus.
Football Bio
March 21, 1951 – Cleveland, Ohio – The great guard for the Ohio State University Buckeyes from 1970 to 1973, John Hicks, celebrated his birthday. According to the NFF, John was a two-time First Team All-American and undeniably one of the most outstanding Ohio State football players of all time. Hicks played only 4 games in 1971 before a devastating knee injury sidelined him for the rest of that year. The three full years he did play, though, his coach, Woody Hayes, led Ohio State to a National Championship in 1970, three Big Ten titles, and three trips to the Rose Bowl. As a matter of fact, Hicks was the first player to start in three Rose Bowls, and in 2009, he was inducted into the Rose Bowl Hall of Fame. In 1973, John won multiple awards: he was a unanimous All-American, won both the Lombardi Award and the Outland Trophy as the best interior lineman in the nation, and finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting to Penn State’s John Cappelletti. His Ohio State teammates, Archie Griffin and Randy Gradishar, were fifth and sixth in that year’s voting. John Hicks joined other collegiate legends of the gridiron in the College Football Hall of Fame in 2001. Hicks was a first-round NFL Draft pick of the New York Giants, with whom he played from 1974 to 1977. We unfortunately lost Mr. Hicks in 2016 after a battle with illness.
Conclusion
John Hicks remains a towering figure in the history of Ohio State football, representing the peak of offensive line excellence. His 1973 season was a statistical and cultural anomaly—a lineman finishing as the Heisman runner-up speaks volumes about his sheer dominance on the field. Beyond the trophies and All-American nods, Hicks’ legacy is one of resilience, returning from a career-threatening injury to lead his team to three consecutive Big Ten titles. Though he left us in 2016, his place in the College Football and Rose Bowl Halls of Fame ensures that the “Big John” legacy will never be forgotten by the Buckeye faithful.
Accolades and Football Accomplishments
- College Football Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2001.
- Rose Bowl Hall of Fame: Inducted in 2009.
- Heisman Trophy Runner-Up: Finished 2nd in 1973 (Highest finish for a pure offensive lineman in the modern era).
- Outland Trophy Winner: 1973 (Nation’s best interior lineman).
- Lombardi Award Winner: 1973 (Nation’s best lineman or linebacker).
- Unanimous First-Team All-American: 1973.
- First-Team All-American: 1972.
- National Champion: 1970 (Ohio State).
- 3× Big Ten Champion: 1970, 1972, 1973.
- Rose Bowl Pioneer: The first player ever to start in three Rose Bowls.
- NFL First-Round Pick: 3rd overall in the 1974 NFL Draft (New York Giants).
- UPI NFC Rookie of the Year: 1974.
