Parker was born in 1934 inMacon, Georgia.[1] He grew up on a farm where he picked peaches and cotton as a boy.[2] He began playing football at age 13.[2] He played his first three years of high school football at Hudson andBallard-Hudson High Schools in Macon. He moved to Ohio before his senior year and played forScott High School inToledo.[3] He graduated high school in 1953.He received first string honors by the "Times" at tackle for the 1952 season. Ref 1953 Scottonian.
Parker played college football as aguard for theOhio State Buckeyes from 1954 to 1956, playing on both the offense and defense. Parker was known for his size, strength and quickness, and these talents, used for clearing a path for running backs.
As a senior in 1956, Parker was listed at six feet, two inches tall, weighed 262 pounds,[9] and helped lead the Buckeyes to a 6–3 record. At the end of the season, he received multiple honors, including:
Parker was selected by theBaltimore Colts in the first round of the1957 NFL draft as the eighth player selected overall. The Colts, withquarterbackJohnny Unitas, relied on a passing offense very different from the running offense of Ohio State. Nevertheless, Parker soon came to be known as the premier pass blocker in the game.
From 1957 until 1962, Parker played as anoffensive tackle. He was selected to fivePro Bowl teams in those six years. In 1963 Parker moved to theoffensive guard position, as a favor to his college coachWoody Hayes, to make room for another former Buckeye,Bob Vogel. Parker was selected to three more Pro Bowls from the guard position.
Parker has been called "the best pure pass-blocker who ever lived. Knew all the tricks — the quick push-off, the short jab — that are legal now."[13]
Parker injured his knee during a game against thePhiladelphia Eagles on September 24, 1967.[14] The injury ended Parker's streak of 139 consecutive games played for the Colts.[2] He appeared in only three games in 1967 and announced his retirement in December 1967, explaining that he had been in pain since the injury and the knee had not improved.[14] He noted at the time: "I feel I can't do it. I can't slide to my right and I can't run."[15]
In September 1969, he was selected by theFootball Writers Association of America as one of two guards on the all-time All-America team consisting of players from the modern era starting in 1920.[19]
In 1969, he was runner up at guard in the Hall of Fame selectors NFL 50th Anniversary All Time Team.[20]
He was inducted into thePro Football Hall of Fame in 1973, his first year of eligibility. He was the first full-time offensive lineman so inducted.[21]
In August 1999, Parker was ranked number 24 onThe Sporting News' list of the 100 Greatest Football Players. He ranked second among guards behindJohn Hannah, and third among offensive linemen behind Hannah andAnthony Muñoz.[25]
Also in August 1999, Parker was selected as an offensive guard on theSports Illustrated college-football All-Century team.[26]
In 2007, he was selected byThe Atlanta Journal-Constitution at the No. 1 spot on its list of the top 25 all-time professional football players from Georgia.[27]
From 1964 to 1999, Parker operated a liquor store in Baltimore's Liberty-Garrison neighborhood.[2] In 1999, he suffered a stroke and closed the store.[28][29]
Parker had 14 children and 23 grandchildren.[30] He died in July 2005 at the Lorien Nursing Home inColumbia, Maryland, at age 71. The cause of death was congestive heart failure and chronic kidney disease.[31][2] He was buried at King Memorial Park, Windsor Mill Manor,Baltimore County, Maryland.
