Brian Westbrook played RB at Villanova from 1997-01.
In 46 college games, he carried the ball for 4,298 yards, with 84 TDs, caught 219 passes for 2,582 yards (11.79 avg.) and gained 2,289 yards and four TDs on kick returns.
He holds the all-time NCAA record with 9,512 all-purpose yards.
Selected in the 3rd round of the 2002 NFL Draft by the Philadelphia Eagles.
Worked his way into the starting lineup in 2004.
Had back to back 1200+ yard rushing seasons in 2006-’07.
A gifted receiver out of the backfield, caught 50+ passes in 5 straight seasons, with a career high 90 for 771 yards in 2007.
Played with the Eagles through 2009, concluding his career with a final season with the ‘9ers the following season.
ACCOLADES:
Pro Bowl 2004, ’07
All-Pro 2007
Philadelphia Eagles Hall of Fame
Philadelphia Eagles 75th Anniversary Team
College Football Hall of Fame
Villanova University Varsity Club Hall of Fame 2016
Walter Payton Award 2001
Senior Bowl Hall of Fame
NOTES:
I had heard that Brian was a player rep for the league. I had packed cards on occasion and kept hoping he’d appear. Along the way I had lost the two cards I wanted signed the most. Knowing the XFL Championship was coming up and that’d be the best chance I’d have at getting him, I packed these three cards.
When I got inside the stadium I found my seat, and IDed him almost immediately, but I wasn’t 100% sure. He was in a crowd so I Googled him to be sure, and then called out his name. He looked surprised a fan IDed him in the stands and ambled over. He signed my three cards for me and asked me what team I was cheering on. I told him that I thought the Renegades would win. I had a good feeling. The energy was with them and they were surging. Westbrook shook his head and said no way! It’s gotta be the Defenders. They had a solid season and are stacked!
-The Renegades ended up winning 35-26.
Unfortunately after the USFL and XFL merged, Brian’s position was considered redundant.
Mark Higgs played RB from 1984-’87 for the Kentucky Wildcats.
In his senior season he ran for 1,278 yards on 193 carries.
He finished his career at Owensboro with 2,892 rushing yards- good for second all-time on the school’s rushing list.
Originally a 8th round choice of the Dallas Cowboys in the 1988 NFL Draft.
Buried on the depth chart and relegated to special teams his first 3 years in the NFL playing for the Cowboys (’88), Eagles (’89), and Dolphins (’90).
His first TD was a blocked punt he returned 19 yards for a TD against the Patriots in 1990.
He’d finally get his shot starting at RB in 1991, in place of Sammie Smith, running for 146 yards in the season opener.
The following week Higgs ran for 111 yards, marking the first back to back 100 yard performance by a Dolphins RB since ’82.
He finished the season with 231 carries for 905 yards and 4 TDs- the highest season total by a Dolphin since… 1978.
Mark topped those numbers in 1992, running for 915 yards and 7 rushing TDs.
Starting in 8 contests in 1993, Mark ran for 693 yards and 3 TDs primarily in a backup role behind Terry Kirby.
During the 1994 season he’d be cut and sign with the Arizona Cardinals.
After spending the majority of the 1995 season on IR due to a back injury, Mark opted to retire.
ACCOLADES:
University of Kentucky Hall of Fame 2006
NOTES:
Mark missed out on Pro Set 1989, but he sure did make up for it with a bevvy of set needs in Skybox, Gameday, and Action Packed sets. He provided a nice shot in the arm along with the rejuvenation of the Dolphins offensive line to buy Dan Marino a few more injury free years.
I finally got Mark back in 2020, and then realized I didn’t ask him for his autograph on his Skybox card. Time flew by really quickly after that and I lost track of sending out to him again for it. In the meantime the premium set from the year afterwards became more interesting to me, so it made a lot of sense to send both of them out together.
CARDS: Panini Contenders Season Ticket 2018, Score 2018 ACQUIRED: IP 2023, San Antonio Brahmas v Houston Roughnecks
CAREER SNAPSHOT:
Played for USC from 2015-’17 at WR.
Had a dominating Junior season posting 86 receptions for 1114 yards and 9 TDs.
Signed with the Tennessee Titans in 2018 but did not make the squad.
Spent time on and off the practice squad and regular season roster of the New York Jets in 2018.
Saw sporadic play with the Jets that season catching 10 passes for 143 yards.
Waived in 2019, and spent some time later in the year on the practice squad of the 49ers.
Joined the Eagles near the end of the year, and saw some action catching 2 passes for 48 yards.
During the ’20 season, he bounced on and off the starting roster, collecting another 3 catches for 19 yards.
Joined the XFL in 2022 playing for the Houston Roughnecks in the 2023 season.
On the year he caught 27 passes for 378 yards, and was good for 6 TDs including an 85 yarder.
Selected by the Arlington Renegades during the 2024 UFL Dispersal Draft.
For 2024 he had 33 catches for 306 yards and 2 TDs.
The Cowboys signed Burnett to a contract in late July.
ACCOLADES:
All XFL 2023
NOTES:
I really wanted Deontay because I love the Panini college GameDay inserts. I called out Deontay and he had no problem coming over and signing a few cards for me before the Roughnecks entered the tunnel after pregame practice had been concluded. I knew I was off to a fast start at my spot next to the visitor’s entrance.
Celebrating the game, the players, the cards, and the autographs for over 25 years.
