September 27, 2013

Rookie of the Year: John Hicks, 1974

Guard, New York Giants



Age: 23
College: Ohio State
Height: 6’2”   Weight: 258

Prelude:
After missing play during his sophomore year due to a knee injury, Hicks was a two-time All-American in college who won the Outland and Lombardi trophies and made such an impression with his play as an offensive lineman that he was runner-up for the 1973 Heisman Trophy. He was taken by the Giants in the first round of the 1974 NFL draft (third overall) and moved directly into the starting lineup.

1974 Season Summary
Appeared in all 14 games
[Bracketed numbers indicate league rank in Top 20]

Awards & Honors:
NFC Rookie of the Year: UPI

Giants went 2-12 to finish fifth in the NFC East.

Aftermath:
Hicks played with the Giants for another three seasons but failed to achieve the anticipated success in the NFL. He was traded to Pittsburgh in 1978 but didn’t play for the Steelers, ending a pro career in which he appeared in 52 games.

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Rookie of the Year Profiles feature players who were named Rookie of the Year in the NFL (including NFC/AFC), AFL (1960-69), or USFL (1983-85) by a recognized organization (Associated Press – Offense or Defense, Newspaper Enterprise Association, United Press International, The Sporting News, or the league itself – Pepsi NFL Rookie of the Year). 

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