He helped Hightower land an intern-level role that was lower on the totem pole than quality control coaches. That chance came when Shanahan joined the Texans staff in 2006 as the wide receivers coach. He still knew deep down that he'd ditch the business side for a spot on a coaching staff should the opportunity present itself. Hightower thrived in the role and eventually earned a full-time gig with the Texans. The best Casserly could do was provide Hightower with a marketing internship. Hightower penned a letter to former Houston Texans general manager Charley Casserly. He made decent money, but it took him just six months to realize that he missed the game too much. Hightower briefly left the football world behind after graduation and worked at a staffing agency. He ended up being one of the best special team players in Texas football history." He would always find something he could do and do it really well. "He's got the most positive attitude and the most energy of just about anybody I've ever been around. "The reason I've kind of adopted him as an extension of our family is because he's going to make things work," Brown said. I didn't expect it, and I'm forever grateful to Mack Brown because he didn't have to do it."īrown went as far as to call Hightower one of the three most memorable walk-ons he'd ever coached. I just remember the team being fired up," Hightower said. So on the final night of camp in 2002, in front of the entire team, Brown awarded Hightower, fellow special teams standout Michael Ungar and Shanahan with scholarships. If any are leftover, it's common for coaches to reward senior walk-ons for their dedication over the years. Each Division I program is allowed to give out 85 scholarships. The pinnacle of Hightower's career at Texas came just before his senior season. ![]() He was tough as hell and played extremely physical. "He was kind of our bell cow on special teams. "He was a stud and earned everything," said Kyle Shanahan, who played with Hightower at Texas after transferring from Duke. Hightower's production on special teams, on top of his blue-collar approach, made him a respected presence in Texas' locker room. It's your responsibility to go find it.' Richard was able to do that." "We told everybody, 'There's something you can do to help this team. "He ended up being on every special teams unit because he found his niche," Brown said. Hightower recorded three tackles and a fumble recovery on kickoff coverage in his very first game, a home contest against Texas Tech. Brown finally obliged during Hightower's redshirt freshman season in 1999. Brown remembers Hightower relentlessly pining coaches for a chance to play on special teams. He believed he could be a difference maker on gamedays. Traveling was a feather in the cap for a walk-on, but Hightower wanted more. Brown reiterated to every walk-on that if they could impress the coaching staff on the scout team, then they'd be given the opportunity to travel to road games. His job was to give the starters the best look possible during each week of preparation. He worked his tail off as a scout team receiver. But Hightower wouldn't be denied, because winners never quit, and quitters never win. He quickly recognized he wouldn't have a future as a wideout, either. Hightower flamed out at safety before moving to the receiver's room. "He was way undersized, and he didn't have great speed," recalled former Texas head coach Mack Brown. When it came time to pick a university, Hightower decided he not only wanted to attend Texas, but he was adamant about playing football for the Longhorns. "We would watch it, and then we'd play catch during commercials. Hightower and his father would watch together as a weekly tradition. "Monday Night Football" was another source of fond memories. spent years in and out of jobs but continuously found a way to compartmentalize his own struggles in order to keep an unwavering role in his son's life. He played baseball, basketball and football, and his father was always in attendance. The lessons in structure, responsibility, accountability, teamwork and dedication made sports a foundational piece in Hightower's childhood. ![]() Evidently neither kid had an issue there.įinally, and this served as the root of Hightower's bond with his father, was an emphasis on athletics. ![]() The second was a dedication to academics.
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