Rashard “Hollywood” Higgins never won all the awards and accolades as an NFL player, but he believes he now has a higher calling as one of public service.
Higgins, 30, a fan favorite for the Cleveland Browns was once catching touchdowns from Baker Mayfield.
But now, he said he found his purpose.
‘Hollywood’ Higgins Says He is a Firefighter Now
Higgins revealed on social media late Friday that he has begun a new career as a firefighter.
“When football ended, I kept asking myself: what now? what’s next? If I became a stay-at-home dad, what kind of example would that be for my kids? They need to see drive. Purpose. A reason to keep pushing,” Higgins wrote on Instagram.
“I went to God. I opened my Bible. And one thing stood out: Jesus always put others before Himself. That kind of love and selflessness -that’s what I want my life to reflect.
“Becoming a firefighter gives me that chance to show up when people need it most. To be the one running in when everyone else is running out. To save lives, or simply to stand beside someone on their worst day.
“I found God. I found my purpose. And the same rush I felt under the lights, is the same rush i get when i put on my boots and step into that fire.
“IM HIM. BEEN HIM . STILL HIM.”
It appears from the photos on the social media post that Higgins is a firefighter in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area in Texas, where he is from.
GettyCLEVELAND, OHIO – OCTOBER 17: Rashard Higgins #82 of the Cleveland Browns looks on during warm ups prior to the game against the Arizona Cardinals at FirstEnergy Stadium on October 17, 2021 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Nick Cammett/Getty Images)
Former Pro Bowl Receiver Jarvis Landry Shares Bible Verse
Several former teammates, as well as current and former NFL players, responded to Higgins’ post, including former Pro Bowl wide receiver Jarvis Landry.
“GLOOOOORRRYYYYY,” wrote Landry, along with three fire emojis and: “Isaiah 43:2
“When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.”
Rashard Higgins Was a Flashy Receiver Out of Colorado State
Higgins was drafted by the Browns in the 2016 draft in the fifth-round out of Colorado State.
Dubbed “Hollywood” as early as high school for his flashy play and confidence, the nickname stayed with him through college and carried over to his professional stops in Cleveland and Carolina.
He played with the Browns until 2022, then he signed with the Panthers before retiring from the NFL in April 2024.
He is most known during his time with the Browns for having a signature celebration of imitating walking down a red carpet.
Also, in the Browns’ divisional playoff game against the Kansas City Chiefs in 2021, Higgins was speared in a helmet-to-helmet hit by Daniel Sorenson, forcing a fumble through the back of the end zone for a safety. No targeting penalty was called, but had Higgins scored, Cleveland might have had a legitimate shot at upsetting the Chiefs and reaching their first AFC Championship Game in the expansion era.
Higgins concluded his NFL career with 137 receptions, 1,890 yards, and 12 touchdowns across 85 games.
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