Dwight Hicks

Dwight Hicks anchored the San Francisco 49ers legendary secondary during their dynasty years emerging from humble beginnings to become a fourtime Pro Bowl safety and twotime Super Bowl champion Born April 5 1956 in Mount Holly Township New Jersey Hicks attended Pennsauken High School before starring at the University of Michigan 19751978 where he earned AllBig Ten honors in 1976 and 1977 and Secondteam AllAmerican recognition in 1977 He gained national attention with outstanding performances in the 1976 Orange Bowl and consecutive Rose Bowl appearances After playing three games with the Toronto Argonauts in 1978 Hicks signed with the 49ers in 1979 while working in a health food store stockroom in Detroit He played seven seasons with San Francisco 19791985 before finishing his career with the Indianapolis Colts in 1986 Hicks earned four consecutive Pro Bowl selections 19811984 won Super Bowls XVI and XIX and served as defensive captain from 19831985 He recorded 32 career interceptions for 602 yards with three touchdowns plus 14 fumble recoveries Hicks strengths defined elite safety play exceptional ballhawking instincts led NFL with 9 interceptions and 239 return yards in 1981 hardhitting physicality and inspirational leadership At just 25 years old in 1981 he led a secondary nicknamed Dwight Hicks and his Hot Licks that featured rookies Ronnie Lott Eric Wright and Carlton Williamsonmaking history in 1984 when all four were selected to the Pro Bowl only the second time an entire secondary received that honor His greatest moments showcased clutch performance and leadership 1 Super Bowl XVIafter the 49ers fumbled the opening kickoff Hicks made a crucial freelance interception at Cincinnatis 5yard line returning it 27 yards to set up a touchdown that gave San Francisco a lead they never relinquished in the 2621 victory 2 Twotouchdown defensive performance against WashingtonHicks returned a fumble 80 yards for a touchdown and added a 32yard interception return for a score in a 3017 victory 3 The legendary Remember the feeling speechfollowing a heartbreaking 1983 NFC Championship loss to Washington Hicks delivered an impassioned locker room address that inspired the 1984 49ers to a 151 record and Super Bowl XIX championship After football Hicks successfully transitioned to a prolific acting career becoming a soughtafter character actor in Hollywood Relocating to Southern California to devote himself to the craft he landed roles in major feature films alongside some of cinemas biggest stars including The Rock 1996 with Sean Connery and Nicolas Cage Armageddon 1998 with Bruce Willis Jack 1996 starring Robin Williams and Bill Cosby and In the Mix 2005 His television résumé spans diverse genres and networks with memorable appearances on popular shows including How I Met Your Mother Castle Body of Proof Cold Case The Practice The XFiles ER and The OC Hicks also brought his football expertise back to Bay Area audiences as cohost of The Point After KTVUs highly rated postgame show that aired immediately following 49ers Sunday broadcasts