Billy Hix

Billy Hix
Personal information
Born:(1929-01-18)January 18, 1929
Batesville, Arkansas, U.S.
Died:September 24, 1974(1974-09-24) (aged 45)
Height:6 ft 2 in (1.88 m)
Weight:215 lb (98 kg)
Career information
High school:Batesville
College:Arkansas
Position:End, defensive end
NFL draft:1950 / round: 14 / pick: 183
Career history
Career NFL statistics
Games:11
Stats at Pro Football Reference

William Stewart "Sleepy" Hix (January 18, 1929 – September 24, 1974) was an American football end who played principally at defensive end. He played college football for Arkansas from 1946 to 1949 and professional football for the Philadelphia Eagles in 1950.

Early years

A native of Batesville, Arkansas, he played college football for the Arkansas Razorbacks from 1946 to 1949.[1] He played principally at defensive end for Arkansas, though he also played some on offense during the 1949 season.[2][3]

Professional football

Hix was selected by the Philadelphia Eagles in the 14th round (183rd overall pick) of the 1950 NFL draft.[1] In April 1951, Hix signed a contract with the Eagles.[4] He was described as "one of the finest end prospects to come up to the NFL in several years."[2] He appeared in 11 games for the Eagles, principally as a defensive end, during the 1950 season.[5][6] Philadelphia coach Greasy Neale also experimented with using Hix on offense despite Hix's only evaluation that "I can't play any good on offense."[2] He caught two passes for 25 yards during the 1950 season.[1]

While playing for the Eagles, Hix was given the nickname "Sleepy" due to his sleeping more than any other player on the team. Asked about the nickname, he told The Philadelphia Inquirer: "Shucks, man. I'm a growing boy. I need that sleep to store up my energy."[2]

Military service and later years

Hix served as a second lieutenant in the Army infantry reserve corps. In August 1950, Hix was ordered to report for physical examination.[7] In April 1951, after signing a 1951 contract with the Eagles, Hix was ordered to active duty with the Army.[6][8]

Hix died in 1974.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d "Billy Hix". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d Frank O'Gara (August 23, 1950). "Hix, Eagles' End, Likes Sleep, But He's Awake on Field". The Philadelphia Inquirer. pp. 41, 43 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Carl Bell (September 10, 1949). "Are Razorbacks Better Than Dim Predictions?". Blytheville (Ark.) Courier News. Associated Press. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Defensive Grid Ends Are Signed By Eagles". Evening Herald. Shenandoah, Pennsylvania. April 23, 1951. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ "Bill Hix Stats". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Retrieved March 22, 2021.
  6. ^ a b "Billy Hix Ordered to Active Army Duty". Los Angeles Times. May 1, 1951. p. IV-1 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ "Called by Draft". Hope Star. August 30, 1950. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "Hix, Eagles End, Called by Army". The Philadelphia Inquirer. May 1, 1951 – via Newspapers.com.