http://msn.foxsports.com/nfl/story/8698548/Browns-Hall-...Hickerson-dies-at-73


BEREA, Ohio (AP) - Gene Hickerson, the Cleveland Browns Hall of Fame guard whose blocking helped Jim Brown, Leroy Kelly and Bobby Mitchell make the shrine, died after a long illness. He was 73.

Hall of Fame spokesman Joe Horrigan confirmed Hickerson's death. He said Hickerson's son, Bob, received a phone call from the care facility where his father was under care on Monday morning.

Hickerson was Brown's personal bodyguard on the field, clearing the way for No. 32, who called Hickerson "the greatest downfield blocker in the history of pro football." When Hickerson was inducted into the hall in 2007, Brown, Kelly and Mitchell pushed Hickerson's wheelchair onto the stage in Fawcett Stadium.

At 6-foot-3, 248 pounds, Hickerson was small by today's gargantuan NFL standards. A sixth-round draft pick from Mississippi, he used his superior speed and quickness to beat defensive lineman off the ball. Hickerson was voted to six straight Pro Bowls and was chosen for the league's All-Decade team of the 1960s.

Funeral arrangements are incomplete.


my prayers go out to the Hickerson family.

RIP Gene. One of the greats.

We lost a great one. Thanks for the memories, Mr. Hickerson. Don't mourn, fellow Browns fans. Celebrate his life and accomplishments.

God be with you and your family Gene

The best pulling guard that ever played the game, Amen.

RIP Gene.

One of many greats I remember seeing when my father took me to Browns practices in the late 50s and early and mid 60's. I was in awe of the names on the backs of the jerseys (Hickerson, Shaffrath, Modzielewski(?), Clark, Glass, Barnes, etc, etc.).

He was considered one of the best, if not "the best" at his position and the Browns accomplishments in the late 50's and 60's were a direct result of Gene H. and the other great lineman.

Again, RIP Gene.


MNFs Don Meredith on Fair Hooker: "I never met one".

Gene Hickerson and I were pals. I didn't initiate the friendship, he did, because he wanted to be friends. I'll never forget the day he said to me "give me a call sometime, I'm in the book". Surprisingly, at that time, if you looked in the Cleveland phonebook you saw his name and address.

Gene was an enormous part of creating the legend of Jim Brown and the Cleveland Browns. The very tradition that makes Browns fans proud in a time when the Browns were the best in the NFL. What we cling to today.

Beyond his exploits on the football field, I liked him immensely as a human being. His personality was as unique as his sense of humor which I find very difficult to express in words. He was almost indescribable. I have some great memories of being in his company and laughing a lot.

We never talked football even though he was who he was and I played the game and was a big fan. We never talked about his possible enshrinement because I knew he didn't want to talk about it. Truth be told he was weary of people bringing it up as a constant reminder that he wasn't in the Hall. His life was about more than that.

Alzheimer's is an incidious disease that strips the mental capacities and personalities of incredible people of which Gene was one.

He's at rest now, his legacy correctly enshrined, as one of the best ever to play.

He will be remembered and mourned and I feel lucky to have known him.

In cases like these death turns into a relief, especially for a man with as severe a case of Alzheimer's as his. RIP Gene.

Thanks for sharing eyembrown. Sorry for your loss.

Gene Hickerson was the finest offensive lineman I have evr seen as a Browns fan. I have been a Cleveland Browns fan since 1961 when a guy named Milt Plum was the QB. My Dad and I were watching a game one Sunday and Jim Brown was having an incredible day and I was telling Dad how great Brown is. Dad just smiled and pointed to a player with the number 66 and said as great as Brown is he couldn't do it without him. Of course number 66 was the great offensive guard, Gene Hickerson. It's just a shame that it took so long for him to get in the Hall of Fame because he definately deserved it! If Gene played in New York he would have gotten in Hall of Fame much sooner. Rest in peace Gene Hickerson and thank you for Hall of Fame play for our Cleveland Browns! Go Browns!!!!!

RIP Gene.

Leroy Kelly was asked if he learned anything about running from watching Jim Browm. He said yes, I learned you need to follow #66, Gene Hickerson.

Route 66 was the way to fame for more then just one RB in Cleveland.

RIP Mr. Hickerson. May god be with your family as they mourn the loss.