Other meanings of John Hicks
American Football
John Hicks is a former American football offensive lineman who played in the National Football League (NFL) for the New York Giants and the Chicago Bears. He was selected by the Giants in the fourth round of the 1974 NFL Draft out of Ohio State University, where he was a standout guard. Hicks is remembered for his powerful blocking and his role in the Giants' offensive line during the mid-1970s.
John Hicks was born on March 21, 1951, in Cleveland, Ohio. He attended John F. Kennedy High School in Cleveland, where he excelled in football and track and field. Hicks then played college football at Ohio State University under head coach Woody Hayes, a legendary figure in college football history. At Ohio State, Hicks was a two-time All-Big Ten selection and earned All-American honors in 1973, anchoring the offensive line for the Buckeyes. His blocking helped Ohio State win the Big Ten Conference championship in 1972 and 1973, and he was part of a line that paved the way for running back Archie Griffin, who later won two Heisman Trophies.
Hicks was drafted by the New York Giants in the fourth round of the 1974 NFL Draft, with the 91st overall pick. He played for the Giants from 1974 to 1978, appearing in 62 games and starting 55 of them. Hicks was known for his durability and strength, often facing the league's top defensive linemen. In 1979, he played his final NFL season with the Chicago Bears, appearing in 14 games. Throughout his career, Hicks was a reliable guard, though he never received Pro Bowl recognition. After retiring, he settled in Ohio and worked in the automotive industry, staying away from the public eye.
Hicks was a powerful run blocker, known for his ability to drive defenders off the line of scrimmage. His technique was praised by coaches, and he was considered a team leader on the offensive line. Despite not achieving individual accolades, Hicks contributed to the Giants' offensive improvements in the mid-1970s, helping the team transition from a struggling franchise to a more competitive one. His legacy is primarily tied to his college career at Ohio State, where he is still remembered as one of the top offensive linemen of his era. In 2001, he was inducted into the Ohio State University Athletics Hall of Fame, recognizing his contributions to the program.
Beyond his football career, Hicks was a standout track and field athlete in high school, competing in shot put and discus. He was also a member of the 1973 Ohio State team that played in the Rose Bowl, a game that ended in a 42–21 loss to USC. Hicks's NFL career was cut short by knee injuries, which he later said were exacerbated by the artificial turf used in many stadiums at the time. After football, Hicks worked as a sales representative for a car dealership in Columbus, Ohio, and occasionally attended Ohio State alumni events. He is not to be confused with John Hicks, the economist, or John Hicks, the jazz pianist, both of whom share the same name.
This article focuses on John Hicks, the American football offensive lineman, not to be confused with other notable figures of the same name.
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