:Jim Kanicki

Kanicki was born on December 17, 1941, in Bay City, Michigan.{{Cite web |title=Jim Kanicki Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/K/KaniJi20.htm |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} He attended Bay City Central High School where he was an all-state football player.{{Cite web |last=Thompson |first=Lee |date=2020-04-21 |title=NFL draft called the names of these 12 Bay City-area football stars |url=https://www.mlive.com/highschoolsports/2020/04/nfl-draft-called-the-names-of-these-12-bay-city-area-football-stars.html |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=mlive |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2016-08-24 |title=One victory away, Bay City Central football is poised to celebrate 500-win tradition |url=https://www.mlive.com/mlive_river_filter_bay_city_high_school_sports/2016/08/one_victory_away_bay_city_cent.html |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=mlive |language=en}} He excelled on both the offensive and defensive lines.{{Cite news |last=Donohue |first=Jimmy |date=October 4, 1958 |title=Kanicki Standout for Wolfpack on Defense |work=The Bay City Times (Bay City, Michigan) |pages=7}}{{Cite news |date=October 4, 1958 |title=Nine Central Touchdowns Registered, Two by Kokaly in Romp Over Handy |work=Bay City Times (Bay City, Michigan) |pages=7}} Kanicki was twice named a Class A all-state center (1957-58).{{Cite news |date=May 10, 1981 |title=Smokey the Bear Returning Home |work=The Bay City Times (Bay City, MIchigan) |pages=50}}

Kanicki also played basketball and threw the shot put in high school.{{Cite news |date=January 25, 1959 |title=Central Cagers Map Plans |work=The Bay City Times (Bay City, Michigan) |pages=32}}{{Cite news |date=May 22, 1959 |title=Central Entries In State Track |work=The Bay City Times (Bay City, Michigan) |pages=15}} In 1975, he was inducted in the Bay City Central High School Alumni Hall of Fame; and in 1993, he was inducted in the Bay County Sports Hall of Fame.

Kanicki attended Michigan State University, where he was a star football player.{{Cite web |last=McCormack |first=Don |date=2008-10-21 |title=Kanicki: Hickerson as good as advertised |url=https://www.starbeacon.com/archives/kanicki-hickerson-as-good-as-advertised/article_93f7af55-5fb9-5a48-a8d7-583984930313.html |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=Star Beacon |language=en}} He played center and defensive tackle on the football team (1960-62), wearing No. 69.{{Cite web |last=Tucker |first=Cody |date=July 8, 2018 |title='Who wore it best' at Michigan State: No. 69 |url=https://www.lansingstatejournal.com/story/sports/2018/07/05/who-wore-best-michigan-state-no-69/739503002/ |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=Lansing State Journal |language=en-US}} He played under head coach Duffy Daugherty.{{Cite news |last=Daley |first=Arthur |date=1970-02-06 |title=Sports of The Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/02/06/archives/sports-of-the-times-big-part-of-the-package.html |access-date=2025-03-29 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} One of Kanicki's offensive linemates during his college career was All-American and future NFL All Pro Ed Budde (1960-62).{{Cite web |title=Former Spartan All-American Ed Budde Passes Away |url=https://msuspartans.com/news/2023/12/21/football-former-spartan-all-american-ed-budde-passes-away |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=Michigan State University Athletics |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Ed Budde Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/B/BuddEd00.htm |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}

He was selected to play in the Blue-Gray game in December 1962, and the Senior Bowl in January of 1963.{{Cite news |date=December 25, 1962 |title=11 State Gridders in 'Bowls' |work=Lansing State Journal |pages=37}} Kanicki was the star of the Blue-Gray game, recovering two fumbles and a blocked punt, and kicking a 40-yard field goal and an extra point.{{Cite news |date=December 30, 1962 |title=North Scores 10–6 Upset Win Over South In Blue-Gray Grid Contest, Jim Kanicki Sparks Blues to Close Win |work=The Morning Union (Springfield, Massachusetts) |pages=7}} He also played in the Chicago College All-Star game.{{Cite news |last=Sturm |first=Mike |date=January 1, 1964 |title=Hydro Crackup Top Local Story |work=The Bay City Times (Bay City, Michigan) |pages=15}}

The Cleveland Browns selected Kanicki in the second round of the 1963 NFL draft, 23rd overall.{{Cite web |title=1963 NFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1963/draft.htm |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} The Buffalo Bills selected Kanicki in the 7th round of the 1963 AFL draft, 52nd overall.{{Cite web |title=1963 AFL Draft Listing |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/years/1963_AFL/draft.htm |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} He chose to play for Cleveland, though he had initially signed with the Bills. The Bills contract was declared invalid since Kanicki was not 21 when he signed it.{{Cite web |last=Swartz |first=Jimmy |date=2021-08-28 |title=The Life And Career Of Jim Kanicki (Complete Story) |url=https://www.brownsnation.com/jim-kanicki/ |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=Browns Nation |language=en-US}} As a rookie in 1963, Kanicki played in 13 games, but started in only one game, as a backup to Pro Bowl tackle Bob Gain and Frank Parker.{{Cite web |title=1963 Cleveland Browns Roster & Players |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/cle/1963_roster.htm |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Bob Gain Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/G/GainBo00.htm |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}{{Cite web |title=Frank Parker Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/P/ParkFr20.htm |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}

Kanicki started nine games in 1964 at right defensive tackle, replacing Parker. He improved under the tutelage of fellow defensive tackle Dick Modzelewski, a 12-year veteran who had come to Cleveland that year from the New York Giants, and replaced Gain at left tackle (after Gain broke his leg).{{Cite web |title=Dick Modzelewski Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/M/ModzDi00.htm |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}{{Cite journal |last=Maule |first=Tex |date=January 4, 1965 |title=UPSET OF THE MIGHTY |journal=Sports Illustrated |volume=22 |issue=1}} Kanicki had looked terrible in his early games, but improved significantly under Modzelewski's guidance throughout the year.{{Cite journal |last=Maule |first=Tex |last2=Sharnik |first2=Morton H. |date=September 13, 1967 |title=CLEVELAND BROWNS |journal=Sports Illustrated |volume=23 |issue=11}}

Kanicki played an important part in the Browns 1964 NFL championship victory over the Baltimore Colts.{{Cite web |title=Championship - Baltimore Colts at Cleveland Browns - December 27th, 1964 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196412270cle.htm |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} He would be facing Colts future hall of fame offensive guard Jim Parker,{{Cite web |title=Jim Parker {{!}} Pro Football Hall of Fame |url=https://www.profootballhof.com/players/jim-parker/ |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=pfhof |language=en}} and it was anticipated that this matchup would strongly favor the Colts.{{Cite journal |last=Maule |first=Tex |date=December 21, 1964 |title=THE BROWNS WIN BIG IN THE EAST |journal=Sports Illustrated |volume=21 |issue=25}} Instead, Kanicki and Modzelewski provided a strong inside rush against the Colts, that forced Colts hall of fame quarterback Johnny Unitas into hurrying his passes.{{Cite web |title=Johnny Unitas {{!}} Pro Football Hall of Fame {{!}} Pro Football Hall of Fame |url=https://www.profootballhof.com/players/johnny-unitas/ |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=pfhof |language=en}} Colts hall of fame coach Don Shula{{Cite web |title=Don Shula {{!}} Pro Football Hall of Fame {{!}} Pro Football Hall of Fame |url=https://www.profootballhof.com/players/don-shula/ |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=pfhof |language=en}} said that the Browns entire defensive line, Kanicki, Modzelewski, Bill Glass and Paul Wiggin, dominated the Colts that day.{{Cite journal |last=Shula |first=Don |last2=Maule |first2=Tex |date=January 11, 1964 |title=HOW THE COLTS MET TRIUMPH—AND DISASTER |journal=Sports Illustrated |volume=22 |issue=2}} Kanicki had .5 quarterback sacks in the game, and Glass 1.5.

In 1965, Kanicki started all 14 games, and had three quarterback sacks. The Browns played for the 1965 NFL championship, losing to the Green Bay Packers; again with a defensive line of Kanicki, Modzelewski, Glass and Wiggin.{{Cite web |title=Championship - Cleveland Browns at Green Bay Packers - January 2nd, 1966 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196601020gnb.htm |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} From 1966-68, Kanicki started 34 games, next to Modzelewski's successor Walter Johnson (who was named to the Pro Bowl, 1967-68). Kanicki had 17.5 sacks over those three years, with his career high 7.5 coming in 1968.{{Cite web |title=Walter Johnson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JohnWa00.htm |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} In 1968, the Browns lost the 1968 NFL championship game to the Colts.{{Cite web |title=Championship - Baltimore Colts at Cleveland Browns - December 29th, 1968 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196812290cle.htm |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}

Kanicki played in an era when the head slap was legal, and because of his power, he used it to great effect in stunning opposing linemen.

Kanicki suffered a broken leg during an exhibition game in 1969, but came back to start the last five games, and made it back for the Browns two playoff games that year.{{Cite news |last=Harvin |first=Al |date=1970-11-21 |title=Kanicki's Not Counting Times He Nails Passer |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1970/11/21/archives/kanickis-not-counting-times-he-nails-passer.html |access-date=2025-03-29 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} The Browns defeated the Dallas Cowboys in the divisional round, where Kanicki had a sack,{{Cite web |title=Divisional Round - Cleveland Browns at Dallas Cowboys - December 28th, 1969 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/196912280dal.htm |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} but lost the 1969 NFL championship game to the Minnesota Vikings.{{Cite web |title=Championship - Cleveland Browns at Minnesota Vikings - January 4th, 1970 |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197001040min.htm |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}}

In six years as a starter, Kanicki had gone to the NFL championship game four times. In 1970, however, the Browns, to Kanicki's surprise and shock, traded him along with running back Ron Johnson and linebacker Wayne Meylan to the New York Giants for wide receiver Homer Jones.{{Cite news |last=Vecsey |first=George |date=January 27, 1970 |title=Giants Trade Jones to Browns and Obtain Kanicki, Ron Johnson and Meylan; SPEEDY RECEIVER BELOW PAR IN '69 Caught One Scoring Pass Tackle, Back, Linebacker Slated to Be Regulars |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1970/01/27/86347681.html?pageNumber=50 |access-date=2025-03-29 |work=The New York Times |language=en |issn=0362-4331}} He did not want to leave Cleveland, and the trade was the low point of his career. The trade was done in tandem with the Browns trading future hall of fame receiver Paul Warfield{{Cite web |title=Paul Warfield {{!}} Pro Football Hall of Fame |url=https://www.profootballhof.com/players/paul-warfield/ |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=pfhof |language=en}} (whom Jones was to replace) to the Miami Dolphins for the third overall draft pick in the 1970 draft, which they intended to use to draft quarterback Mike Phipps; now considered one of the worst trades in Browns' history.{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Ryan |date=2025-02-04 |title=Where does Deshaun Watson rank among the top 5 worst trades in Cleveland sports history? (Akron Beacon Journal) |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/where-does-deshaun-watson-rank-110727923.html |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=Yahoo Sports |language=en-US}}

He had 4.5 sacks for the Giants in 1970, and the Giants pass rush improved with his presence. The team went from a 6–8 won–loss record in 1969, to a 9–5 record in 1970.{{Cite web |title=New York Giants Team Records, Leaders, and League Ranks |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nyg/index.htm |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} Running back Johnson led the NFL in total yards from scrimmage in 1970, and became a first-team All Pro that year.{{Cite web |title=Ron Johnson Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft, College |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/J/JohnRo02.htm |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} Jones suffered knee injuries that limited him to only four starts with the Browns in 1970, and he retired at the end of the year.{{Cite web |title=Giants remember 'fan favorite' Homer Jones |url=https://www.giants.com/news/homer-jones-new-york-giants-john-mara-touchdown-spike |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=www.giants.com |language=en-US}}

1971 was Kanicki's final year in the NFL, at age 30. He started 9 of 14 games and had two sacks for the Giants. He was in and out of playing because of badly bruised ribs.{{Cite news |last=Koppett |first=Leonard |date=1971-09-19 |title=GREEN BAY FIRST ON A TOUGH CARD |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1971/09/19/archives/green-bay-first-on-a-tough-card-giants-not-at-full-strength-but.html |access-date=2025-03-29 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} The Giants finished the year with a 4–10 record.{{Cite web |title=1971 New York Giants Rosters, Stats, Schedule, Team Draftees |url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/teams/nyg/1971.htm |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=Pro-Football-Reference.com |language=en}} He suffered an Achilles tendon injury in early 1972 when he slipped and fell on ice near his Ohio home.{{Cite news |date=1972-05-19 |title=Kanicki to Get Surgery |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1972/05/19/archives/kanicki-to-get-surgery.html |access-date=2025-03-29 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} He retired from the NFL and did not play in 1972.

In 1974, he ended his career with the Houston Texans and Shreveport Steamer of the World Football League.{{Cite web |title=World Football League, Houston Texans |url=http://wfl.charlottehornetswfl.com/team_pages_1974/06.php |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=wfl.charlottehornetswfl.com}}

In 2012, the Cleveland Plain Dealer named Kanicki one of the Cleveland Browns' 100 best all-time players.{{Cite web |last=Peticca |first=Mike |date=2012-07-30 |title=Cleveland Browns' 100 best all-time players: No. 100 (tie) -- Jim Kanicki (video) |url=https://www.cleveland.com/ohio-sports-blog/2012/07/cleveland_browns_100_best_all-.html |access-date=2025-03-29 |website=cleveland.com |language=en}}

Kanicki was fluent in Polish. During a game against the Green Bay Packers, quarterback Zeke Bratkowski gave instructions in Polish to teammate Bob Skoronski when they lined up for the play. Understanding what they said, Kanicki remarked in Polish, "'That's a smart call.'" Bratkowski then told the team to scratch the play, in English.

Kanicki purchased the Arthur Louis Steel Company of Ashtabula, Ohio in 1985, and still maintains control of the business.

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Category:1941 births

Category:Living people

Category:American football defensive tackles

Category:Michigan State Spartans football players

Category:Cleveland Browns players

Category:New York Giants players

Category:Players of American football from Michigan

Category:Sportspeople from Bay City, Michigan

Category:20th-century American sportsmen