Herman Hickman

Herman M. Hickman (October 1, 1911 - April 25, 1958) was a Hall of Fame college football player for the University of Tennessee and later a head football coach for Yale University. He played pro football for the NFL's Brooklyn Dodgers. He later was a TV and radio analyst and broadcaster, a writer and a professional wrestler.

Playing career
Hickman came to UT from Johnson City, TN. Hickman was a guard for the Tennessee Volunteers football team from 1929–1931. He was named to Grantland Rice's All American football team in 1931 on the heels of his performance in the New York University (NYU) Charity game at Yankee Stadium. Hickman was also named to the All-Southern team in 1931, joining teammate Gene McEver. Legendary coach Robert Neyland held Hickman in high regard. "When one (football writer) said Hickman was 'the best guard the South ever produced,' Coach General Bob Neyland snarled, 'Herman Hickman is the greatest guard football has ever known.'"

Following his time at Tennessee, Hickman played for the NFL's Brooklyn Dodgers from 1932 to 1934. He was named an All Pro at left guard in 1933. He was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame in 1959.

Coaching career
Hickman was an assistant at Wake Forest, North Carolina State and West Point before earning the head coaching position at Yale in 1948. He led the Bulldogs to a 16-17-2 record before resigning in 1951.

Other activities
Hickman had a reputation as a great dinner speaker. He also participated in television broadcasts of football and radio and television panel shows.

Hickman was a writer, who came to be known as "Poet Laureate of the Little Smokies." He was also a staff writer for Sports Illustrated.

Hickman also was a professional wrestler, known as "The Tennessee Terror, having over 500 matches.,

Trivia

 * Handsome Dan VII, the Yale Bulldog mascot was donated to Hickman at age 3 but proved to have a bad temper, which suited him better in his next position as a watchdog on a Florida estate.


 * The Herman Hickman Scholarship was "(e)stablished by UT alumni and friends in 1958 following the death of Herman Hickman... This graduate scholarship is awarded to varsity athletes in the field of their choice. The recipient currently receives $1,000 per semester."