Claude Hipps

Claude Hipps
refer to caption
Hipps on a 1952 Bowman football card
No. 24
Position:Defensive back
Personal information
Born:(1927-04-23)April 23, 1927
Hazlehurst, Georgia, U.S.
Died:May 20, 2017(2017-05-20) (aged 90)
West Melbourne, Florida, U.S.
Height:6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:189 lb (86 kg)
Career information
High school:Waycross (GA)
College:Georgia
NFL draft:1952 / round: 7 / pick: 78
Career history
Career highlights and awards
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Claude Marion Hipps (April 23, 1927 – May 20, 2017) was an American football defensive back who played two seasons with the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Steelers in the seventh round of the 1952 NFL draft. He played college football at the University of Georgia.

Early life and college

Claude Marion Hipps was born on April 23, 1927, in Hazlehurst, Georgia.[1] He attended Waycross High School in Waycross, Georgia.[1] He was inducted into the Ware County Sports Hall of Fame in 1986.[2][3]

He lettered for the Georgia Bulldogs in 1944.[1] His college career was interrupted by a stint in the United States Marine Corps.[1] While in the military, he played football for the Atlantic Fleet All Star teams and was the MVP of the China Bowl.[2] He returned to college in 1949 and lettered for the Bulldogs from 1949 to 1951.[1] Hipps was named first-team All-SEC by the Associated Press his senior year in 1951.[4] He graduated with a degree in business.[2]

Professional career

Hipps was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the seventh round, with the 78th overall pick, of the 1952 NFL draft.[5] He played in 12 games, starting nine, for the Steelers during the 1952 season, recording three interceptions.[6] He appeared in five games, starting four, during the 1953 season and made two interceptions.[6] He spent part of the season on injured reserve.[7] Hipps became a free agent in May 1954.[7]

Personal life

Hipps died in 2017 at the age of 90 in West Melbourne, Florida.[2][6]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Claude Hipps". profootballarchives.com. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d Claude Hipps' obituary
  3. ^ "Claude Hipps – 1986". wwcsportshalloffame.com. Retrieved December 3, 2024.
  4. ^ "Vols, Jackets Dominate All-S. E. C. Squad". Monroe Morning World. December 2, 1951. p. 8. Retrieved May 30, 2015 – via Newspapers.com. Open access icon
  5. ^ "Claude Marion Hipps". oldestlivingprofootball.com. Retrieved September 21, 2014.
  6. ^ a b c "Claude Hipps". pro-football-reference.com. Retrieved December 2, 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Claude Hipps NFL Transactions". profootballarchives.com. Retrieved December 2, 2024.