Quick Facts
Biography
Mark Deyon Higgs (born April 11, 1966 in Owensboro, Kentucky) is a former American football running back in the National Football League. Mark played college football at the University of Kentucky. He was Drafted in the 8th round of the 1988 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. Mark played the majority of his career (1990 - 1994) with Hall of Fame quarterback, Dan Marino and the Miami Dolphins. He also played for the Philadelphia Eagles, and the Arizona Cardinals.
Early years
Though Higgs was constantly discouraged from playing football due to his size (5'7", 195 lbs), he went on to surpass many of the rushing records at Owensboro (Senior) High School.
As a senior, he carried the ball on nearly every play, posting 2,858 rushing yards and 32 touchdowns, while earning All-American honors. He was a three-year starter, finishing as the school's all-time leading rusher with 6,721 yards and 75 touchdowns. Mark was recruited by William Thompson to play his college football at the University of Kentucky.
College career
Higgs accepted a scholarship from the University of Kentucky. As a sophomore, he suffered a right knee injury in spring training, but was able to return to play in 11 games.
In his final year, he set school records with 1,278 rushing yards, 6.6 yards average, six 100-yard games and 10 touchdowns. He earned the best average per rushing attempt (5.43) in school history, and became the third all-time leading rusher (2,892 yards).
In 1997, his jersey number was retired. In 2005, he was inducted into the University of Kentucky Hall of Fame. In 2008, he was inducted into Kentucky Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Professional career
Dallas Cowboys
Higgs was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the eighth round (205th overall) of the 1988 NFL Draft, after dropping because he was seen as being too small to play professional football. 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
On March 2, 1989, he signed with the Philadelphia Eagles as a Plan B free agent. He finished the year with one 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. The next year, he was named the starter, replacing an injured Sammie Smith and would keep the role, even after Smith recovered from his injury.
During the 1993 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 by Larry Csonka, Karim Abdul-Jabbar and Ronnie Brown. In 1994, he accepted a pay cut to remain with the Dolphins, but was eventually released on November 15.
Arizona Cardinals
On November 17, 1994, he signed as a free agent with the Arizona Cardinals. The next year he played in only one game, after a hit resulted in a back injury that kept him out for 13 weeks. He was waived on December 1, 1995, and retired shortly afterwards.
Career highlights
Owensboro (Senior) High School, 1980-1984
- All-time leading rusher, (6,721)
- Yards rushing - season (2,858 in 1983)
- Most rushing touchdowns, career (75)
- Total touchdowns - career (75)
University of Kentucky, 1984-1987
- #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
- #9 NFL leading rusher, 1992 (915)
- #8 Most 100-yard rushing Games (8)
- Longest blocked punt return for a TD (19 yards)
- 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)
Personal life
Higgs began his own business, M and T Transportation, Inc, in 1998. He joined the Miami Dolphins Alumni Association's advisory board in 2002, and is a frequent visitor to the Dolphins' radio show. In 2007, he became the running backs coach for Miami Central High School.
He 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). His cousin Dwight Higgs, a former Euroleague basketball guard and three time Division II All-American (Kentucky Wesleyan), holds the OHS record for most points scored in a single season (887), and is the #7 overall scorer. Dwight's younger brother Bobby is also a top 20 career scorer at Owensboro High, ranking at #15.