Stephens: Rashard Higgins brought his proud mother to tears

SAN ANTONIO – Rashard Higgins' mother wiped a tear from her eye.

Forty-five minutes before kickoff, she didn't expect to get emotional so soon. She wanted to wait until her son caught the touchdown he promised her. Or at least until he caught a pass.

He did both Saturday. Higgins caught career pass No. 184 and touchdown No. 26 in a 33-31 victory for CSU at UTSA. His accomplishments were nothing new. Since he arrived at Colorado State University in 2013, he's been a supernova, leading the Rams in receiving as a freshman and leading the nation as a sophomore.

His mother, Jeanette Jackson, knew of his success. She'd seen him on TV and DVRs every game, and those calls from Sports Illustrated tipped her off that her son is a reasonably talented college football player. But she'd never seen him play in person. Not since high school. Not until Saturday.

The Rams were playing in Texas for the first time since 2011 and Jackson made the drive. She packed three cars with 13 of her closest friends and family members — even the pee wee coach who coined Higgins' "Hollywood" nickname — and made the 4 hour, 32 minute drive (she counted every second) from Mesquite.

Their trip didn't disappoint. Even if Higgins only scored one touchdown when he promised his mother two.

"I'm so proud, baby, words can't express the way I feel," Jackson said. "I am overjoyed. I'm serious. I've never felt this way in my life. When I cry, they're tears of joy. I'm so proud of my babies."

Everyone knows Higgins and his success, and Jackson is undoubtedly pleased by what her son is doing, but there's more happening in her Mesquite home than watching CSU games every Saturday.

You see, Higgins wasn't originally the son the family thought was going to be a football star. His older brother Rahkeem was a standout wide receiver himself as a teenager before he was sent to juvenile hall, making "poor choices" only someone blinded by love makes. Now Rahkeem, who unabashedly wore a shirt with little brother's face on it Saturday, is working 13 hours a day with his life back on track. And older sister Erica is holding down a full-time job on top of being a full-time college student.

Proud?

A mother has never been filled with so much pride.

"My kids here, Rashard out there, this is what it's all about," Jackson said.

Saturday was by no means a phenomenal game by Higgins — only 105 yards — but as he brushed off a leeching defender en route to catching a 38-yard touchdown pass, mom shouted to Heaven. She threw her hands up to thank God and high-fived everyone in her row before wiping a few more tears from her eyes.

Because no matter how proud she is of all her children, Higgins is different.

From the moment Cleophus Wilson, who raised Higgins from the time he was 16 months old, bought his son football cleats at age four, he was destined for greatness. Wilson didn't know it. Jackson didn't know it. They used to think there was something wrong with him when he'd tie a chain around his waist and drag a tire around the yard. He received a lone college scholarship offer, and no one from Power 5 schools wanted anything to do with him.

But here he is. College football's best receiver, a Heisman hopeful, a future first-round draft pick. A kid who's never been in trouble with the law, gives all the credit to his teammates and all the glory to God.

"We are so proud of Rashard and so happy to finally see him play," Wilson said. "But I'll tell you something, no matter what you accomplish in life (individually), there will never be a better feeling than the pride you feel seeing the success of your children. Rashard is a success."

For insight and analysis on athletics around Northern Colorado and the Mountain West, follow sports columnist Matt L. Stephens at twitter.com/mattstephens and facebook.com/stephensreporting.