1977 Profile: John Hicks

Guard
No. 74
Ohio State
"Another in the line of Woody's fat tackles, Hicks was made into a pro guard. He's wide enough to play two positions in the line. Harder to move than the Chrysler Building, Hicks is the one solid force in the Giants' offensive line. He's a genuine All-Pro type but has yet to achieve that stature. It could happen this year if the Giants get off the schneid.
Born in Cleveland, Hicks was a two-year All-American at Ohio State, winning both the Outland and Lombardi trophies. The Giants' first draft pick in 1974, Hicks became the first lineman in 20 years to win NFC Offensive Rookie of the Year.
Hicks likes drag racing as a hobby- he's so big he has to drag in a limousine."

-Dave Newhouse, The Complete Handbook of Pro Football, 1977 Edition

"The No. 1 draft pick of the Giants in 1974, Hicks more than lived up to great expectations. First, he won himself a starting job at right guard and performed with distinction for 14 games. At season's end, the honors heaped upon him [sic]. He was named to the All-NFL Rookie team by UPI, AP, Pro Football Weekly and the Pro Football Writers of America, and then was named the NFC's Offensive Rookie of the Year by UPI- the first offensive lineman ever to win that distinction in the 20 years of the poll.
Big, strong and agile, he excelled in all phases of the game: pass blocking, leading the sweeps or in straight-ahead blocking. In 1975, Hicks played in all 14 games and continued his stellar performances. He won the Vitalis Man of the Year Scholarship award at season's end.
Hicks was again the starting right guard in all 14 games in 1976 and finished high in the balloting for top offensive lineman honors in the Seven Crowns of Sport voting at season's end.
Hicks won just about every honor available at Ohio State. A three-year letterman, he was an All-American for two years, won both the Outland and Lombardi Trophies and finished second in the Heisman Trophy voting to John Cappelletti of Penn State. Hicks played in the Rose Bowl three times and was also named Player of the Year by the Sporting News in 1973.
John Charles Hicks was born in Cleveland, Ohio and played his high school sports at John Jay High School in that city. He's related to NFL players Tommy Hart and Frank and Elijah Pitts. He lists music and drag racing among his favorite hobbies and is active in the Catholic Big Brothers program."

-1977 New York Giants Media Guide