Hickey spent two seasons at the University of Maryland, sitting out his freshman year as freshmen were ineligible to play varsity sports at the time. He became the Terrapins' starting running back as a sophomore and was named second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference after leading the team with 894 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns while catching 11 passes for 94 yards.[2] Hickey was academically ineligible to return to Maryland for his junior season.[3]
Hickey was selected in the 14th round of the 1967 NFL/AFL draft by the St. Louis Cardinals.[1] Hickey was cut by the Cardinals during training camp but was signed by the Denver Broncos on September 9, 1967.[5] He played in 12 games for the Broncos, rushing 73 times for 263 yards and 4 touchdowns while also catching 7 passes for 36 yards and another touchdown before breaking his foot late in the season against the New York Jets.[6] Hickey was released by the Broncos on July 23, 1968 after failing his physical.[7] After his release Hickey returned to minor league football and played three seasons for the Westchester (and later Long Island) Bulls of the Atlantic Coast Football League.[1]
Post-football
After retiring from football he became an assistant football coach at Staples High School before joining the coaching staff at New Canaan High School. He later also became the school's head ice hockey coach, holding the position for 20 years. Hickey worked as the superintendent of Lakeview Cemetery in New Canaan, Connecticut for 34 years until his retirement in 2015.[8]
Hickey died in Connecticut on February 28, 2023, at the age of 77.[9]
