South Carolina Football’s GOAT Series: Top-15 greatest linebackers of all-time
By Kevin Miller
South Carolina Football’s No. 4 Linebacker of All-Time:
Tom Addison
53 days until the #SCAHOF Induction, May 23. Tom Addison starred at LB for @GamecockFB ('55-57). He wore #53 with the AFL's Boston Patriots and earned AFL All-Star honors 4 straight years ('61-64). He had 16 career INTs, including five in '62. Tickets: https://t.co/LqOknUJIwD pic.twitter.com/V3MXAQQgKR
— South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame (@SCAHOF) March 31, 2022
Tom Addison (1957-1959) was the original great linebacker for the University of South Carolina. A tough-nosed grinder of a player, Addison was an undersized linebacker who was adept at diagnosing plays and being where he was supposed to be at all times. After an under-appreciated college career, he went on to play professionally for the Boston Patriots (now known as the New England Patriots). He was an All-Pro who never missed a game for the Patriots before a knee injury in 1967 ended his career.
Without a doubt having the best pro career of any Gamecock linebacker, Addison was a sure-fire Hall of Famer before his injury cut his career short. He was honored as an All-Decade team member for the Patriots of the 1960s as he was the first linebacker to ever tally 15 career interceptions and 15 career sacks. He was the AFL’s first Union President and helped shape the modern world of owner-player labor relations. Addison is a member of the South Carolina Athletics Hall of Fame.