Parker grew up in Macon, Georgia, and played college football for the Ohio State Buckeyes under coach Woody Hayes from 1954 to 1956.

He moved to Ohio before his senior year and played for Scott High School in Toledo.

Parker was known for his size, strength and quickness, and these talents, used for clearing a path for running backs.

As a sophomore, Parker helped lead the 1954 Ohio State Buckeyes football team to a perfect 10–0 record and the No.

[7][8] 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.

In 1963 Parker moved to the offensive guard position, as a favor to his college coach Woody Hayes, to make room for another former Buckeye, Bob Vogel.

[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.

His honors include the following: From 1964 to 1999, Parker operated a liquor store in Baltimore's Liberty-Garrison neighborhood.

[31][2] He was buried at King Memorial Park, Windsor Mill Manor, Baltimore County, Maryland.