Tim Hightower facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Tim Hightower

Hightower in 2023
No. 34, 25
Position:	Running back
Personal information
Born:	(1986-05-23) May 23, 1986 (age 39) Waldorf, Maryland, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:	220 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High school:	Episcopal (Alexandria, Virginia)
College:	Richmond (2004–2007)
NFL Draft:	2008 / Round: 5 / Pick: 149
Career history
Arizona Cardinals (2008) Washington Redskins (2011) FXFL Blacktips (2014) New Orleans Saints (2015) San Francisco 49ers (2017)*
Career NFL statistics
Rushing attempts: 752 Rushing yards: 2,977 Rushing touchdowns: 32 Receptions: 162 Receiving yards: 1,208 Receiving touchdowns: 2
Player stats at PFR

Timothy Michael Hightower, born on May 23, 1986, is a former professional football running back. He played college football for the Richmond Spiders. The Arizona Cardinals chose him in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL draft. He also played for the Washington Redskins, Blacktips, New Orleans Saints, and San Francisco 49ers. Since 2020, Hightower has worked for the Washington Commanders as their director of alumni relations.

High School Football Journey

Tim Hightower grew up in Maryland. He attended several high schools, including Friendly High School, DeMatha Catholic High School, and Westlake High School. For his last two years of high school, he went to Episcopal High School in Alexandria, Virginia.

During his junior year, he gained 927 rushing yards. In his senior year, he gained 1,083 yards, even though he played only six games with an injured foot.

College Football Career

Starting at Richmond University

In 2004, Tim Hightower began his college career at the University of Richmond. As a first-year student, he played in all 11 games for the Spiders. He carried the ball 58 times for 161 yards. He also caught 19 passes for 158 yards.

During his second year, Hightower played in 13 games and started nine. He rushed 142 times for 777 yards and scored nine touchdowns. He also caught 21 passes for 163 yards. He was the third-highest scorer on his team with 54 points.

Junior and Senior Year Success

In his junior year, Hightower started all 11 games. He achieved his best numbers yet with 177 carries for 850 rushing yards. He also had 34 receptions for 269 receiving yards and two touchdown catches. He scored seven touchdowns in total and was recognized as a Third-team All-Atlantic 10 player.

His senior season was outstanding. Hightower set new school records with 1,924 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns. He carried the ball 327 times, averaging 5.9 yards per carry. His average of 137.43 rushing yards per game led his league and ranked sixth nationally. This earned him a first-team selection in the All-Colonial Athletic Association.

Professional Football Career

Joining the Arizona Cardinals

Tim Hightower was chosen by the Arizona Cardinals in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL draft. He was the 149th player picked overall. On June 5, 2008, he signed a three-year contract with the Cardinals.

Rookie Season (2008)

In his first NFL season, Hightower was a backup to veteran running back Edgerrin James. In his very first NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers, he rushed for 13 yards and scored a touchdown. He became the only Cardinals rookie running back to score a touchdown in his first two games.

In a game against the Buffalo Bills, Hightower rushed for 37 yards and scored two touchdowns. On November 2, 2008, he made his first career start against the St. Louis Rams. He rushed for a season-high 109 yards and scored a 30-yard touchdown, helping the Cardinals win 34–13.

He finished the regular season as the starting running back for the last seven games. The Cardinals ended with a 9–7 record and made the playoffs. In the playoffs, Hightower continued to contribute. He scored a touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons in the Wild Card game. He also scored a touchdown against the Carolina Panthers in the Divisional Round.

In the NFC Championship game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Hightower caught an 8-yard touchdown pass that helped seal a 32–25 victory. He played a smaller role in Super Bowl XLIII against the Pittsburgh Steelers, which the Cardinals lost 23–27. As a rookie, he set a Cardinals record with 10 touchdowns in the regular season and 13 total touchdowns including the playoffs. He finished his first season with 399 rushing yards and 10 rushing touchdowns.

Second Season (2009)

Even though Edgerrin James left, the Cardinals drafted two new running backs. Still, Hightower started the 2009 season as the main running back. In the first game, he had his first career 100-yard receiving game, catching 12 passes for 121 yards.

He scored his first touchdown of the season against the Jacksonville Jaguars. In a game against the St. Louis Rams, Hightower rushed for 110 yards, his first game with over 100 rushing yards. He remained the starter, but rookie Beanie Wells started getting more carries.

The Cardinals made the playoffs again. In the Wild Card game against the Green Bay Packers, Hightower scored a touchdown. The next week, he rushed for 87 yards and scored a 70-yard touchdown against the New Orleans Saints. He finished the regular season with 598 rushing yards and 8 rushing touchdowns. He also had 63 receptions for 428 receiving yards.

Final Season with Cardinals (2010)

Hightower returned as the Cardinals' starting running back in 2010. In the season opener, he rushed for 54 yards and a touchdown against the St. Louis Rams. The next week, he had 115 rushing yards and an 80-yard touchdown against the Atlanta Falcons.

On December 12, 2010, he rushed for a career-high 148 yards against the Denver Broncos and scored two touchdowns. He finished his last season with the Cardinals with career-highs of 153 carries and 736 rushing yards, scoring 5 rushing touchdowns.

Time with the Washington Redskins

Hightower with the Washington Redskins in 2011

On July 31, 2011, Hightower was traded to the Washington Redskins. He signed a one-year contract with them.

2011 Season

Hightower was named the Redskins' starting running back for the 2011 season. In the first game, he had a career-high 25 carries for 72 yards and a touchdown against the New York Giants. The next week, he rushed for 96 yards, helping defeat his old team, the Arizona Cardinals.

After starting the first five games, he had rushed for 321 yards and two touchdowns. However, his season ended early on October 23, 2011. He suffered a torn ACL (a knee injury) and was placed on injured reserve.

2012 Season and Beyond

Hightower re-signed with the Redskins for one year in May 2012. He was expected to compete for the starting spot, but he was released before the season began. This was because rookie Alfred Morris emerged as a strong player.

In late 2013, doctors found that an infection had slowed his recovery from the injury. In November 2014, Hightower played one game for the Blacktips in a smaller football league.

Return to the NFL with the New Orleans Saints

After four years away from the NFL, Hightower signed a contract with the New Orleans Saints on January 4, 2015. He was released and re-signed a few times before joining the active roster on November 2, 2015. This happened after another player, Khiry Robinson, was injured.

2015 Season

In Week 10, Hightower played his first regular season game with the Saints against his former team, the Washington Redskins. He rushed for 46 yards. On December 13, 2015, Hightower made his first NFL start in over four years. He rushed for a career-high 85 yards and scored a touchdown in a win against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

In another game, he rushed for 122 yards and scored two touchdowns against the Jacksonville Jaguars. He finished the season with 375 rushing yards and four touchdowns in eight games, with three starts.

2016 Season

On April 6, 2016, the Saints signed Hightower to another one-year contract. He was the main backup to Mark Ingram II for the 2016 season.

On October 30, 2016, Hightower took over as the main running back after Mark Ingram II had some fumbling issues. He rushed for 102 yards in a win against the Seattle Seahawks. The next week, he started and rushed for 87 yards, scoring his first touchdown of the season against the San Francisco 49ers.

On December 18, 2016, Hightower scored a season-high two touchdowns against his former team, the Arizona Cardinals. He rushed for 37 yards in that game.

Brief Time with the San Francisco 49ers

On April 1, 2017, Hightower signed with the San Francisco 49ers. However, he was released by the team on September 1, 2017.

NFL Career Statistics

Life After Football

Hightower with Maryland governor Wes Moore, 2023

In December 2020, Tim Hightower was named the director of alumni relations for the Washington Commanders. This role involves working with former players of the team.

See also

In Spanish: Tim Hightower para niños