William Stewart "Sleepy" Hix (January 18, 1929 – September 24, 1974) was an American footballend 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.
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 yearsedit
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]
^ abcd"Billy Hix". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
^ abcdFrank 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.
^Carl Bell (September 10, 1949). "Are Razorbacks Better Than Dim Predictions?". Blytheville (Ark.) Courier News. Associated Press. p. 5 – via Newspapers.com.
^"Defensive Grid Ends Are Signed By Eagles". Evening Herald. Shenandoah, Pennsylvania. April 23, 1951. p. 14 – via Newspapers.com.
^ ab"Billy Hix Ordered to Active Army Duty". Los Angeles Times. May 1, 1951. p. IV-1 – via Newspapers.com.
^"Called by Draft". Hope Star. August 30, 1950. p. 4 – via Newspapers.com.
^"Hix, Eagles End, Called by Army". The Philadelphia Inquirer. May 1, 1951 – via Newspapers.com.
April 11, 2024
billy, william, stewart, sleepy, january, 1929, september, 1974, american, football, played, principally, defensive, played, college, football, arkansas, from, 1946, 1949, professional, football, philadelphia, eagles, 1950, personal, informationborn, 1929, jan. 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 Billy HixPersonal informationBorn 1929 01 18 January 18 1929Batesville 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 informationHigh school BatesvilleCollege ArkansasPosition End defensive endNFL draft 1950 Round 14 Pick 183Career historyPhiladelphia Eagles 1950 Career NFL statisticsGames 11Player stats at NFL com PFR Contents 1 Early years 2 Professional football 3 Military service and later years 4 ReferencesEarly years editA 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 editHix 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 editHix 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 edit a b c d Billy Hix Pro Football Archives Retrieved March 29 2021 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 Carl Bell September 10 1949 Are Razorbacks Better Than Dim Predictions Blytheville Ark Courier News Associated Press p 5 via Newspapers com Defensive Grid Ends Are Signed By Eagles Evening Herald Shenandoah Pennsylvania April 23 1951 p 14 via Newspapers com Bill Hix Stats Pro Football Reference com Sports Reference LLC Retrieved March 22 2021 a b Billy Hix Ordered to Active Army Duty Los Angeles Times May 1 1951 p IV 1 via Newspapers com Called by Draft Hope Star August 30 1950 p 4 via Newspapers com Hix Eagles End Called by Army The Philadelphia Inquirer May 1 1951 via Newspapers com Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Billy Hix amp oldid 1160679113, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
