Mark Higgs

Mark Deyon Higgs (born April 11, 1966 in Owensboro, Kentucky) is a former American football running back in the National Football League who led the Miami Dolphins in rushing from 1991-1993. He is the brother of National Basketball Association point guard Kenny Higgs.

Early years

Though Higgs was constantly discouraged from playing football due to his size^[1] (5'7", 195 lbs), he went on to surpass many of the rushing records at Owensboro (Senior) High School. Recruited to the University of Kentucky, Higgs earned the best average per rushing attempt (5.43), and became UK's third all-time rusher,^[2] earning Higgs a spot in the University of Kentucky's Hall of Fame in 2005 and the retirement of his jersey number in 1996.^[3][4]

Professional career

Dallas Cowboys

Higgs was selected in the eighth round of the 1988 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. In training camp he passed Darryl Clack on the depth chart as Herschel Walker's backup, but didn't have any opportunities to see the field during the regular season.

Philadelphia Eagles

He signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as a Plan B free agent in 1989.^[5] He finished the year with 1 start, 49 carries for 184 yards and 3 receptions for 9 yards.

Miami Dolphins

Higgs joined the Dolphins as a Plan B free agent prior to the 1990 season, where he was initially a fourth-string running back and special teams player. Prior to the beginning of the 1991 season, Higgs was named the starter, replacing an injured Sammie Smith and would earn the starter role, even after Smith returned from his injury.

During the 1993 NFL season, Higgs was replaced as the team's starting running back by Terry Kirby. Higgs had led the team in rushing for the three consecutive seasons with totals of 905, 915 and 693 yards, a consecutive feat that had only been matched in the past by Larry Csonka, Karim Abdul-Jabbar and Ronnie Brown.^[6] In 1994, he accepted a pay cut to remain with the Dolphins,^[7] but was eventually released on November 15.^[8]

Arizona Cardinals

On November 17, 1994, he signed as a free agent with the Arizona Cardinals.^[9] He retired following the 1995 season, after a hit resulted in a back injury that kept him out of the season for 13 weeks.^[1]

Career highlights

Owensboro (Senior) High School, 1980-1984,^[10][11]

• All-time leading rusher, (6,721)
• Yards rushing - season (2,858 in 1983)
• Most rushing touchdowns, career (75)
• Total touchdowns - career (75)

Higgs is one of three family members to hold top scoring records at Owensboro High School. Higgs is the younger brother of retired Cleveland Cavaliers/Denver Nuggets guard Kenny Higgs, who is the all-time leading scorer of the Red Devils' basketball team (1,833).^[12] His cousin Dwight Higgs, a former Euroleague basketball guard and three time Division II All-American^[13] (Kentucky Wesleyan), holds the OHS record for most points scored in a single season (887),^[14] and is the #7 overall scorer. Dwight's younger brother Bobby is also a top 20 career scorer at Owensboro High, ranking at #15.

University of Kentucky, 1984-1987^[2]

• #1 Best Average Per Rushing Attempt, Career (5.43)
• #3 Most Rushing Yards, Career (2,892)
• #9 Most All-Purpose Yardage (Career), 3,387
• Inducted into the University of Kentucky Hall of Fame in 2005

Miami Dolphins

• Leading rusher, 1991-1993^[15]
• #9 NFL leading rusher, 1992 (915)
• #8 Most 100-yard rushing Games (8)
• Longest blocked punt return for a TD (19 yards) ^[16]
• Only the second Dolphins player (out of three total) to lead in rushing for three consecutive seasons (after Larry Czonka and before Karim Abdul-Jabbar)^[6]

Personal life

Higgs began his own business, M and T Transportation, Inc, in 1998.^[1] He joined the Miami Dolphins Alumni Association's advisory board in 2002,^[1] and is a frequent visitor to the Dolphins' radio show.^[17] In 2007, he became the running backs coach for Miami Central High School.^[15]

Notes

External links

• ProFootballReference.com - Mark Higgs
• Miami Dolphins Media Guide