Donald J Hickman (June 11, 1955 â June 27, 2015) was an American professional football offensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL) for the Detroit Lions and the Washington Redskins. He played college football at the University of Southern California. Donnie Joe also has a son, Justin Hickman who currently plays for the Indianapolis Colts after being signed from a stint in the CFL with the Hamilton Tigers. His nephew James Brooks attends Northern Alabama and plays defensive end. After his playing Career he worked as a youth counselor and football coach for Glendale and Mesa community colleges in Arizona On June 27, 2015), he died of cancer in Glendale, Arizona.