Quick Facts
AquariusBiography
Bob Pickens (February 2, 1943 – April 12, 2018) was an American football player and wrestler.
Early life
Pickens was born on 2 February 1943 in Evanston, Illinois.
Career
While at Evanston Bob was an All American in Football, Wrestling, and Track. In Wrestling he was a Runner-Up and a State Champion. He began his collegiate days at the University of Wisconsin, playing Football and then transferred to the University of Nebraska where he finished his collegiate days. He was an NCAA national runner-up during his career at the University of Nebraska, transferring there after originally attending Wisconsin.
He did not wrestle for the University but did continue his wrestling for various Club organizations. He was a member of Mayor Daley Club during 1964 and continued to wrestle with the club through 1967 when he retired from active wrestling participation. Since that time he has continued as a High School and College Official in football.
In 1964 he placed second in the National Senior AAU Freestyle Championship which was held at the World’s Fair; He also placed second in the AAU Greco Roman Championships. This same year he placed third in the Final Olympic Trials in Freestyle at New York which placed him with the best in the United States Training Camp. At the Final Cuts for the Olympic Team at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, he placed second in the Freestyle, which qualified him to be an alternate on the 1964 Olympic Team and he won the Championship in Greco-Roman which automatically won him a berth on the 1964 Olympic Team. Bob finished sixth in the Greco-Roman at the 1964 Olympic Games held in Tokyo, Japan.
Pickens was drafted in the third round of the 1966 NFL Draft by the Chicago Bears and later played three seasons with the team.
After his pro football career, Pickens became a referee, officiating in the Big Ten Conference and a number of postseason games including the Rose Bowl. He served on the Chicago Park District Board for several years.
Death
Pickens passed away on April 12, 2018, in Georgia. He was survived by his second wife Judith J. Pickens, his daughter Tori A. Pickens, two grandchildren and one great-grandchild.