Rashard Higgins

Rashard Higgins's Biography

Rashard Malick Higgins, fondly known as “Hollywood”, was born on October 7, 1994. The versatile American former professional football player mainly played as a wide receiver in the National Football League (NFL). His knack for the sport was nurtured in his college years, with the Colorado State Rams, where he made quite the name for himself, earning first-team All-American honors in 2014.

Higgins’ journey to stardom started at Mesquite High School in Mesquite, Texas. Here, he showcased his prowess in football, basketball and track, setting a foundation for the successful athlete he was to become. His talent as a wide receiver for the Mesquite football team was undeniable, with his senior year statistics of 69 receptions for 1,136 yards and 10 touchdowns further cementing his potential. Remarkably, Higgins didn’t limit his athletic abilities to football. He was a two-star recruit by Rivals.com. In addition, he played for the Mesquite basketball team, where he averaged an impressive 17 points per game. His track and field feats were equally commendable. At the 2013 District Meet, he placed fourth in the 200-meter dash, and seventh in the long jump. He also posted a personal-best time in 400-meter dash in 2012.

Higgins made his move to Colorado State University in 2013 as a true freshman, starting all 14 games. His performance was extraordinary, breaking the school freshman record with 68 receptions for 837 yards and six touchdowns. By just his sophomore year in 2014, his skill had earned him a coveted spot as a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award.

The next big leap for Higgins came in 2016, when he was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the fifth round as the 172nd overall pick in the NFL draft. He signed a substantial four-year contract worth about $2.52 million, including a signing bonus of approximately $184,000. He finished his rookie season with six receptions for 77 yards.

However, the road in the NFL was not entirely smooth for the talented receiver. In September 2017, Higgins was waived by the Browns, only to be signed to the practice squad the next day. He was quickly promoted back to the active roster. He ended the 2017 season with 27 receptions for 312 receiving yards and scoring his first two career touchdown passes.

In the years that followed, Higgins continued to improve, attaining 39 receptions for 572 yards and four touchdowns in 2018. He secured his position with the Browns, receiving his first touchdown in the season against the Buffalo Bills and continued to demonstrate his worth to the team.

In the 2020 season, Higgins experienced his first 100-yard game, making six receptions for 110 receiving yards in a victory over the Cincinnati Bengals. Despite signing on the one-year deal with the Browns in 2021, his time with the Cleveland Browns winded down. He became an unrestricted free agent following the 2020 season and later on March 16, 2022, signed a one-year contract with the Carolina Panthers.

Higgins’ time with the Panthers was brief, playing in only three games without recording any offensive stats. On April 15, 2024, he announced his retirement from the NFL, marking the end of a remarkable career in professional football. To honor his memorable time with the Browns, he announced that he would sign a one-day contract to retire as a Cleveland Brown. His career was as illustrious as it was inspiring, marking ‘Hollywood’ Higgins as an exceptional figure in the annals of the NFL.