CLEVELAND, OHIO – JANUARY 03: Rashard Higgins #82 of the Cleveland Browns (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
Rashard Higgins’ excuse for getting cited for drag racing is…somewhat persuasive?
The Cleveland Browns went from a state of complete euphoria, as the franchise clinched their first playoff birth in almost two decades, to total shock, as head coach Kevin Stefanski joined several key players on the COVID-19 list.
An already difficult period just got even more chaotic as wide receiver Rashard Higgins was cited for drag racing after the playoff win. At the very least, Higgins should be commended for adding levity to the situation, as he claims that his “foot slipped” as he was trying to “get away from COVID.”
Rashard Higgins needs to put this behind him when Sunday comes around
After a season in which he barely saw the field under Freddie Kitchens, Stefanski has breathed new life into Higgins, as he caught 37 passes for 599 yards and four touchdowns this season. After Odell Beckham’s injury, Higgins stepped into the No. 2 wide receiver role, and he delivered exceptional results.
A starter getting a citation right before Cleveland’s first playoff game in almost 20 years likely isn’t the best way to kick of what has already been a very tumultuous week, but at least Higgins found a way to make light of the situation.
Both Higgins and the organization need to put this behind them as they prepare for a rematch against the Pittsburgh Steelers, as any little slip-up against a defense that ferocious could prove fatal. Cleveland’s week started off as poorly as possible given all of the COVID-19 difficulties this team has had to face and a receiver getting into a small dust-up with the law, but it could end in jubilation once again if Higgins is able to refocus and put his best effort forth against a vaunted Pittsburgh secondary.