Per the Pro Football Hall of Fame, Hickerson was considered one of the best offensive linemen in Southeastern Conference (SEC) history at the end of his collegiate career.

Hickerson served as co-captain on the 1957 Ole Miss team, and was a consensus All-Southeastern Conference and All-South choice.

On January 1, 1958, Ole Miss played in the Sugar Bowl, defeating the University of Texas 39-7.

'"[3] In 2007, during his induction at the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, and already suffering from the health problems that plagued the final years of his life, including dementia,[9] Hickerson was brought onstage in his wheelchair, propelled by Bobby Mitchell, Jim Brown, and Leroy Kelly.

It was announced as "one last time, Gene Hickerson leads Bobby Mitchell, Jim Brown, and Leroy Kelly.

"[10] He was inducted by his friend and former teammate at the University of Mississippi and the Cleveland Browns, Bobby Franklin.

[15] The question has been raised as to whether football related chronic traumatic encephalopathy contributed to his dementia and death.