Hickson Driven by Aspirations for Future

NORMAN, Okla. -- Many are taught the Golden Rule. It is a very simple rule to follow but also a simple one to forget. One OU football senior has made the rule a guiding principle for his life. Donta Hickson has balanced his deep compassion for others with football, work in the classroom as a sociology major, and family throughout his college career.

"Donta is just a really good kid. He's always been well mannered, respectable and a kind guy," Zephia Hickson, Hickson's mother, said. "He's always willing to help those in need and always had compassion for them."

Hickson views the way he carries himself as nothing uncommon, just a man trying to do the right thing. However, his mother knows her son is a special individual with a good heart. She shared a story from Hickson's schoolboy days in McKinney, Texas, that demonstrated her son's selfless attitude.

Donta Hickson Bio, Stats & Photo Gallery | Gameday Central

"At school there was a boy who wore different clothes and kids were laughing and making fun of the young man," Mrs. Hickson recalled. "Donta saw this and told the young man, 'hey, you look fine.' He grabbed him around the neck and walked off with him to let him know that he cared and he was special to him."

Hickson hopes to pursue his athletic career in the NFL next year. However, if professional football does not pan out, Hickson will continue his standard of service by assisting the community as a firefighter, a profession which he has had his sights set on since childhood.

"I've always wanted to do that," Hickson said. "It's not about being a hero. It's about going out and helping someone and doing something that benefits the community."

His mother remembers when her son first learned about firefighting as a career possibility. Mrs. Hickson recalled when Donta was nine or 10 and firefighters, with their trucks, and police, with their cars, visited his school as part of a presentation for students.

"He loved it. He's always been fascinated with firemen. It fits his love for people and desire to serve others," Mrs. Hickson said.

Hickson said he has researched the skills and schooling needed to enter the profession. Different areas require different amounts of health and fire training. Levels of experience and time vary from state to state.
"Some require EMT training first and then fire school while others allow you to go straight into fire school," Hickson said.

Other aspects of firefighting appeal to Hickson, including some that carry over from his experiences on the football field. Chief among them is the team-oriented atmosphere, something Hickson hopes will be part of his future should that future lead him to a fire station. He compares the firefighter family to a sports team.

"There are guys there who are real close knit. They live together at times so it is like a family, just as it is on the field," Hickson said.

Whichever professional career Hickson follows, in his heart he will continue to always place others first and treat all as he would like to be treated. His determination is seen in every task he takes on, and when he leaves the University of Oklahoma, his future, be it in football or fighting fires, will be served well by the Golden Rule by which he lives.

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Sooner Feature by Vicki Guerra
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