FORT COLLINS — He’s Rashard Higgins, and he approved this message.
Page 6 of the Colorado State weekly football news release is devoted to updating Higgins’ credentials for award consideration, including the Biletnikoff Award, which goes to the top receiver in the country. Starting last week, at the top of the page, “HOLLYWOOD HIGGINS” has been photo-shopped onto a shot of the Hollywood Hills, in the style of the famous sign.
Shown the page after practice Tuesday, Higgins said, “Man, that’s perfect. … I live up to the Hollywood sign, and that’s just me being me.”
Going into the 7-1 Rams’ game Saturday at San Jose State, the sophomore from Mesquite, Texas, leads the nation in three major categories — receiving yards per game, at 142.1; receiving yards, at 1,137; and touchdown receptions, at 12. Amari Cooper of Alabama is second in the yardage categories, and Colorado’s Nelson Spruce is second in TD receptions, with 11.
As Higgins steps more into the spotlight, regionally and nationally, it has become more appropriate to point out that his words often come out more audacious in print than they seem when he actually says them — usually softly.
“The one thing you guys see when you see him in person is his personality,” CSU coach Jim McElwain said. “That’s something you always have to be careful about, is how it comes out in print. That’s part of the education too, so we have to do a good job on our end making sure people understand. He’s confident. He’s by no means arrogant.”
Asked if he is worried or conscious about avoiding crossing a line, Higgins said: “No, sir. I think it’s sometimes good to have confidence and also to have a little game to back it up.”
How much fun is he having with this?
Higgins smiled and said: “I told my mom this the other day, ‘Mom, the sky’s the limit right now. We’re doing good as a team. I don’t know where the bowl game’s going to be, but I look forward to you being here, Mom.’ … She always tells me she’s proud of me and to keep doing what I’m doing.”
As he does with other players, McElwain teases or sarcastically chides Higgins in order to try to keep him — and his ego — in line.
“It’s something I know he can handle,” McElwain said of the attention. “When it becomes a distraction, is when it becomes more about him than the team. He’s one of those guy where that’s the farthest from what he’s all about. … I don’t see it at a distraction. At the same time, if it becomes that, I’m sure we’ll handle it.”
Quarterback Garrett Grayson is fond of telling Higgins stories — without peeling back the curtain too far. He said that Higgins hasn’t come close to crossing the line to intolerable arrogance, and added: “I don’t think Coach Mac would ever let that happen. But Coach Mac understands that’s his character, that’s kind of his attitude with everything.
“Coach Mac said something Monday, I can’t say it here, but he said something Monday at our team meeting and Hollywood kind of popped off and said something, and our whole team meeting just started dying laughing. Everybody knows that’s just how Rashard is, and we all love him for it. He keeps it interesting, keeps everybody on their toes. He’s a very quick-witted guy, so if you want to say something to him, you better be on your toes, so it’s really fun to be around him.”
Terry Frei: tfrei@denverpost.com or
