Former Chicago Bears running back Michael Hicks passes away |
South Carolina State is mourning the passing of Hall of Fame running back Michael Hicks, who died Friday at the Thomaston (Ga.) Medical Center. Funeral arrangements, which are being managed by Trice Funeral Home of Thomaston, are still being finalized and will be announced Wednesday. Hicks was 51.
A Barnesville, GA native, Hicks ranks among the top running backs to play for the Bulldogs. Despite playing only three seasons, he is second all-time in rushing at SC State, having amassed some 4,093 yards during his career. In addition, he is the single-season leader for the Bulldogs in rushing TDs scored (22); the career leader in rushing touchdowns (51) and the career rushing leader in yards per game (127.9). He also holds school records for points scored in a season (132) and career points scored (316). Hicks led the Bulldogs and the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference in rushing three consecutive seasons (1993-95) and ranks number five among rushing leaders in the MEAC. He rushed for over 100-yards in a game 14 times and went over the 200-yard rushing mark four times during his career. Hicks is among the most decorated football players in SCSU athletic history. He earned first-team All-MEAC honors three years and was named the league's Offensive Player of the Year in 1995. He also garnered Sheridan Broadcasting Network (SBN) All-America accolades three seasons and was an Associated Press I-AA All-American two years. He was named to the SCSU Centennial (1907-2007) Football Team in 2007 and inducted into his alma mater's hall of fame in 2014. Hicks was drafted in the seventh round of the 1996 NFL draft by Chicago and spent two seasons (1996-1998) with the Bears before playing one year (1997) with the Barcelona Dragons of NFL Europe.
