Overview

Herman M. Hickman (October 1, 1911 – April 25, 1958) was an American college football player who gained national recognition as a lineman at the University of Tennessee. After a brief professional playing career with the National Football League's Brooklyn Dodgers, he moved into coaching and later took part in professional wrestling. He is remembered as an influential figure from the interwar period of American football and as a multi‑talented athlete who pursued several careers in sport.

Playing career and style

Hickman played at the guard position, a role that emphasized strength, leverage and blocking technique in both running and passing plays. As a standout at Tennessee he was acclaimed among the leading linemen of his day and earned honors that contributed to his later recognition in the sport's historical record. After college he played professionally with the Brooklyn Dodgers of the NFL, a franchise that fielded football teams in the early decades of the league.

Coaching, wrestling and later roles

Following his time as a player, Hickman transitioned into coaching, where former college stars commonly served as position coaches or assistants, passing on fundamentals and line play to younger players. He also worked in professional wrestling, a popular entertainment sport in the mid‑20th century that attracted many former football players because of its physical demands and public profile. Hickman's postplaying path illustrates how athletes of his era often combined coaching, writing and performance careers.

Legacy and recognition

Hickman is honored among college football's notable figures and has been recognized by the sport's historical institutions. His career links collegiate success, a stint in the early NFL, and a later public sporting life that included coaching and wrestling. For more on college football honors and historical listings see College football honors, and for institutional history visit the University of Tennessee resources. Background on professional wrestling in the mid‑20th century can be found via wrestling history.

Notable facts and context

  • Born in 1911 and died in 1958, he belonged to the generation of players who bridged college football's formative years and the developing NFL.
  • As a guard, his contributions were primarily to line play—fundamental to the single‑wing and early modern offenses of his era.
  • His career path—college star, professional player, coach and wrestler—was a pattern seen among many athletes before large professional salaries became common.

Herman Hickman's life illustrates the varied careers possible for athletes in the 20th century and the continuing interest in preserving the memory of early football pioneers through halls of fame and historical write‑ups.