Washington acquired defensive back Richie McCabe from…
Washington acquired defensive back Richie McCabe from Pittsburgh on May 27, 1959 for fullback Billy Hicks. McCabe played 10 regular-season games with four starts for Washington that season and recorded one interception.
Pittsburgh Steelers Received
- player Billy Hicks
Washington Commanders Received
- player Richie McCabe
Trade Analysis
The Exchange
Washington's official 1959 media guide resolves the legacy record directly: Richie McCabe became a Redskin on May 27, 1959 in a trade with Pittsburgh for fullback William Hicks. Washington's 1958 guide identifies the player as William Kevin “Big Bill” Hicks, a Jacksonville State fullback and the club's 1956 28th-round draft choice.
Washington Return
McCabe gave Washington one usable NFL season. Pro Football Reference credits him with 10 games and four starts in 1959, plus one interception returned eight yards and a fumble recovery. NFL game logs place the interception at Green Bay in Week 9.
Pittsburgh Return
Billy Hicks had professional experience outside the NFL, and Jacksonville State confirms that he signed with Washington and also spent time with Pittsburgh and Montreal. But he does not appear on Pittsburgh's 1959 regular-season roster, so there is no documented Steelers regular-season production to credit from this trade.
Legacy Corrections
The old row used June 2 and called the return Kevin Hicks. The official Washington guide gives May 27 and fullback William Hicks; the club's prior guide supplies the full name William Kevin Hicks. Using Billy Hicks keeps the public identity aligned with his football records.
Final Verdict
Washington Commanders Win, C+ to D. McCabe supplied 10 games, four starts and an interception in his lone Washington season, while Hicks produced no documented Pittsburgh regular-season value.