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| No. 68 | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Positions | Linebacker, guard | ||||||||
| Personal information | |||||||||
| Born | October 17, 1930 Scranton, Pennsylvania, U.S. | ||||||||
| Died | February 5, 2000 (aged 69) | ||||||||
| Listed height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) | ||||||||
| Listed weight | 220 lb (100 kg) | ||||||||
| Career information | |||||||||
| High school | West Scranton | ||||||||
| College | Miami (FL) (1949–1952) | ||||||||
| NFL draft | 1953: 15th round, 172nd overall pick | ||||||||
| Career history | |||||||||
* Offseason or practice squad member only | |||||||||
| Career NFL statistics | |||||||||
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Nicholas Angelo Chickillo (October 17, 1930 – February 5, 2000) was an American professional football player who played one season with the Chicago Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Cardinals in the fifteenth round of the 1953 NFL draft after playing college football at the University of Miami.
Early life and college
Nicholas Angelo Chickillo was born on October 17, 1930, in Scranton, Pennsylvania.[1] He attended West Scranton High School in Scranton.[1]
Chickillo was a member of the Miami Hurricanes from 1949 to 1952 and a three-year starter from 1950 to 1952.[1][2] He was inducted into the school's athletics hall of fame in 1987.[2] His hall of fame bio notes that "Chickillo was one of the truly great 60-minute men in Hurricane football history. Chickillo was a stand-out player on both the offensive and defensive line while playing in the glory days of the early 1950's."[2]
Professional career
Chickillo was selected by the Chicago Cardinals in the 15th round, with the 173rd overall pick, of the 1953 NFL draft.[3] He played in all 12 games, starting nine, for the Cardinals during the 1953 season and recovered two fumbles.[3]
On September 9, 1954, Chickillo was traded to the Pittsburgh Steelers for a 20th round pick in the 1955 NFL draft, conditional on if Chickillo remained with the Steelers through the first six games of the regular season.[4] He was released by the Steelers on September 21, 1954.[5] Chickillo's trade to the Steelers and quick release were met with surprise by the media.[6] It was later revealed that Chickillo had informed the Cardinals he would be joining the United States Army in 1955.[6]
Personal life
Football players Tony Chickillo and Anthony Chickillo are his son and grandson, respectively.[7] Nick served in the United States Army.[1] He died on February 5, 2000.[1]
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 "NICK CHICKILLO". Pro Football Archives. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
- 1 2 3 "Nick Chickillo". University of Miami. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
- 1 2 "Nick Chickillo Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College". Pro Football Reference. Retrieved April 27, 2025.
- ↑ "Steelers Are Rated". The News-Herald. United Press. September 10, 1954. p. 8. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
- ↑ "Pitt Steelers Cut 8 Players; Get 2 Rookies From Lions". The Duluth News Tribune. Associated Press. September 21, 1954. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
- 1 2 "Chickillo 'Informed' Honesty Doesn't Pay". The Tribune. November 20, 1954. Retrieved April 28, 2025.
- ↑ "Chickillo to become 3rd-generation 'Cane". foxsports.com. June 6, 2014. Archived from the original on March 25, 2015. Retrieved March 25, 2015.