Gene Hickerson, regarded as one of the premier pulling guards of his era, finally received his just reward with election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, today.

Forgive me for saying this: but it's about damned time!   Hickerson's list of accomplishments in the NFL is vast and impressive according to a release from the Browns:

Hickerson, who played 15 seasons (1958-60, 1962-73) for the Browns, appeared in six Pro Bowls (1966-71) and was voted an all-league selection on five occasions (1966-70).  Hickerson was also named the NFL’s most outstanding blocker in 1969.  

Hickerson, 72, joined the Browns as a seventh-round draft choice out of

Hickerson played in every game during his career, except for the 1961 season when he missed the year with a broken leg.  Known as a versatile lineman, he broke into the starting lineup at right guard his second season with the Browns in 1958 and remained at right guard through the 1971 season.  Hickerson moved over to start at left guard for the final two seasons of his career from 1972-73.  Hickerson helped running back Jim Brown lead the NFL in rushing in eight of his nine seasons and also helped Leroy Kelly lead the league in rushing in 1968.

And he should have been in years ago.  Comedian Richard Pryor, a friend to Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown, used to have a line in his stand-up routine to highlight the racism that existed in the era in which Brown played.  He essentially said that Brown was really the best because he didn't have anyone blocking for him.  Brown knew that wasn't true and said as much in numerous print and electronic interviews over the years.

But what troubles me about his long wait is that he was nearly forgotten.  While tooling around my car this week and listening to ESPN Radio on XM Satellite Radio, I heard numerous hosts reel off the names of who should get in:  Art Monk, Derrick Thomas and others.  All great in their own right, but it showed that some of these hosts lack any semblance of perspective and appreciation of the game's history.

Hickerson blocked for not one, but two Hall of Fame running backs. The other:  Leroy Kelly.  The HOF is about the best, not the very good.  My fear was that because of a more recent history, some of the very good would make it ahead of Hickerson on what was reportedly his final opportunity. 

They say that those who forget history are destined to relive it.  It's good to see that the 39 individuals who have voting power for the Pro Football Hall of Fame haven't forgotten that today's NFL was built on the blood, flesh and pain of previous players.  There are some out there who still deserve this recognition.