Some memories of Gene Hickerson

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I had the good fortune to see Cleveland Browns Pro Football Hall of Fame right guard Gene Hickerson play during the 1960s when I was growing up in Cleveland. My memories of the occasional games I saw live at Municipal Stadium were understandably dominated by Jim Brown’s dazzling runs.

But I felt a kinship with Hickerson because, at the time, I played right guard for my neighborhood school. And, what better role model than No. 66, a guy who seemed to fly off the line to clear the way for Brown and subsequent Browns running backs?

The last time I saw Hickerson was during the bittersweet 2007 Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Canton, Ohio. Hickerson, who was suffering from Alzheimer’s Disease, crossed the Fawcett Stadium stage in a wheelchair pushed by Brown, Bobby Mitchell and Leroy Kelly.

Bob Hickerson, who spoke eloquently for his father during that ceremony, described it as proof that his father was ‘still leading the way for Hall of Fame running backs.’

Hickerson died Monday at age 73 at a care facility outside Cleveland.

Last summer I had the good fortune to interview Bernie Parrish, Dick Schafrath, Bobby Franklin, Monte Clark and a few other former teammates. I also talked to former New York Giants linebacker Sam Huff and a few other former players who lined up against Hickerson.

To a man they described a natural athlete, a ferocious competitor, a dedicated teammate and a decidedly free spirit. But they also perceived that Hickerson felt slighted by the fact that, year after year, he had failed to join his compatriots in the Hall of Fame.

That wrong was righted last summer, but some of Hickerson’s teammates didn’t really know whether he understood what occurred in Canton that evening. Brown, for one, chooses to believe that Hickerson was aware. Here is a statement that the Browns released:

-- Greg Johnson