But now the 40-year-old is determined to experience just as big a high by steering rugby league into a strong and healthy future.
Hicks (above) has taken over as the RFL's Director of Operations and Legal.
He said: "It is a bit like weaning yourself off a drug. Refereeing at that level is all-consuming.
"I won't miss that part but I will miss the adrenaline rush, the banter and the emotional roller-coaster that you go on throughout the year."
Continue reading your story on the app
Continue reading your story in the newspaper
£81M SPENT ON SENDING ARMY KIDS TO PRIVATE SCHOOLS...
...and £668k goes to the ex-school of Defence Secretary Ben Wallace
WHY ENGLAND LOST TO ICELAND
One thing to emerge from the Rebekah Vardy case is that England manager Roy Hodgson is said to have tried to address her behaviour.
STILL SUNNY FOR SARM LOVER
THE lover of missing Brit Sarm Heslop tops up his tan – as the riddle over her disappearance continues.
Rihanna moving to Barbabydos
Star’s plan to raise her new son in paradise
Boy loses his finger fleeing ‘racist’ bullies
Hand caught in railings as he tried to escape
Spend her victorious
We’re all set to splash out £1BILLION on Queen’s Platinum Jubilee parties
Meghan faces cameras for legal grilling
Duchess's sister says royal ruined her reputation
IT’S COLEEN BREWNEY..
She celebrates with cuppa ‘confident of libel case win’
Partygate: Questions on lack of questioning
Cops sent PM TWO questionnaires despite SIX parties
DOYLE PUSHES BUTTON ON NASHWA OAKS BID
HOLLIE DOYLE declared "she's got all the credentials to go to the top" as Nashwa staked a Cazoo Oaks claim at Newbury.
Ahead of the Game
Sharks fullback Aphelele Fassi on how goal setting, unflinching ambition, and being humble will take you further.
JUST BETWEEN FRIENDS ALISON
IN THE NEW HULU SERIES CONVERSATIONS WITH FRIENDS, ALISON OLIVER AND HER COSTAR JOE ALWYN SPARK AN ONSCREEN CHEMISTRY TOO INTENSE TO IGNORE.
THE VANISHING
In 1978, one of Paris’s most dashing and powerful men was violently kidnapped, leaving tout le monde wondering if he might escape— and how much it could cost.
How to Manufacture an Extremist Candidacy
Step 1: Create a bunch of social media accounts and have them beg your candidate to run for president
ENERGY AGENCY: ‘RADICAL ACTION' NEEDED TO HIT CLIMATE GOALS
The world must take “radical action” by investing $5.7 trillion in private and public money each year through 2030 to shift away from fossil fuels and ensure the planetary warming they cause doesn’t pass dangerous thresholds, the International Renewable Energy Agency says.
COOPERED Café Table
An intimate outdoor setting loaded with lessons
Les Fines Lames Knife Cutters
Historically, knife cigar cutters that fold have come with foibles for a number of reasons: The action is awkward, the cut is, sloppy and the blade crushes the cigar head in the handle more often than not.
Harmonious Hues
Author and style editor Fifi O'Neill demonstrates the magical ability of white to act as a blank canvas for any home, regardless of theme or lifestyle.
EU PLAN FOR SWEEPING UPDATE OF BIG TECH RULES GAINS MOMENTUM
The European Union’s ambitious plan to update its pioneering internet rules gained momentum Tuesday after a key committee passed measures requiring technology companies to better police content and lawmakers prepared to vote on regulations to rein in Big Tech.
EU PLAN FOR SWEEPING UPDATE OF BIG TECH RULES GAINS MOMENTUM
The European Union’s ambitious plan to update its pioneering internet rules gained momentum Tuesday after a key committee passed measures requiring technology companies to better police content and lawmakers prepared to vote on regulations to rein in Big Tech.