Former Richmond Spiders' record setting runningback and current Washington Redskin, Tim Hightower, is thankful for his time at the CAA university.

Following a less than stellar season (6-10) as the new Washington Redskins Vice President and Head Coach, Mike Shanahan sent a very deliberate message to his team, the media, and the Redskins fan base during the NFL Combines in Indianapolis this February, “We need to get bigger, stronger and faster with players who have strong work ethics and character.”

True to his word, Shanahan along with Executive Vice President and General Manager Bruce Allen transformed the Redskins from one of the oldest NFL teams with a bloated payroll to one of the youngest.  Through the NFL Draft, free agency, and trades Shanahan and Allen brought in players who fit into their overall plan.

Perhaps it was the last acquisition the tandem made on July 31, 2011, two days into training camp, that bests exemplifies the model athlete they were looking for when Shanahan announced that changes were on the horizon.

The acquisition of former CAA standout and Richmond Spider, runningback Tim Hightower, from the Arizona Cardinals, for expendable veteran defensive lineman Vonnie Holliday and a sixth round pick, has proven to be the steal of NFL season.

The primary ball carrier for the Cardinals since his rookie season in 2008, when he helped lead the franchise to their first ever Super Bowl, Hightower was not surprised when he was informed of the trade to Washington.

“This is a business and you can’t be surprised by anything,” Hightower explained.  “I’m sure they had their reasons for making the trade.”

With eight lost fumbles in his last two seasons and the Cardinals drafting runningbacks Beanie Wells from Ohio State in the first round of the 2009 NFL Draft and Virginia Tech’s Ryan Williams high in the second round of the 2011 draft, the writing was on the wall for Hightower.

Once again, Hightower would have to rise and grind, just as he always has since he started playing the sport.

“Nothing has ever come easy for me.  I’ve had to work for everything, so I’m used to it.  I’m better for it.”  

Injured during his senior season at Episcopal High School in nearby Alexandria, Virginia, Hightower received very few offers to play football in college. 

He didn’t use that as an excuse for not being heavily recruited, “I could tell myself that was the reason so I can feel better, but maybe I wasn’t good enough at the time.” 

Richmond University was willing to give him a chance, and to this day he’s very grateful for the time he spent at one of the elite programs in the CAA

When asked if he follows the CAA and his former school, Hightower responded with a smile, “That’s where my roots are.  I got to keep up with them.”

Continuing with the discussion on his four years at Richmond, Hightower spoke as if he were part of a special and unique fraternity.  In a manner that sounded like a mindset rather than an explanation of the unique type of player it takes to play at a small FCS school, “We had to work for everything at Richmond. We had to work hard in school.  We had to work hard on the practice field with our position coach.  Nothing was given to us.  Everything had to be earned.” 

Asked to elaborate, Hightower added, “Nothing against the players who come from the big schools, most of them have strong work ethics, but the small school players in the NFL all work hard.  They always had to and they always will.”

Covering the CAA conference for the first time this season, and as an outsider so-to-speak, Hightower’s comments pertaining to the work ethic of players in the CAA doesn’t come as a surprise.  I heard similar comments when I sat down with two of the CAA’s elite runningbacks in Delaware’s Andrew Pierce and William & Mary’s Jonathan Grimes at the CAA Media Day in Baltimore prior to the start of the season.

There is always a chip on the shoulder when you know you’re good enough to compete, work, perform, at the highest level of anything in life, but for a variety of reasons you are bypassed. 

By no means did Hightower imply he had any regrets attending Richmond.  In fact, listening to him speak, it sounded as though his achievements in the NFL were in part a result of the work ethic instilled in him at Richmond.

When asked if there was one particular person or place that helped developed his strong work ethic, Hightower simply replied, “I took a little from every stop I’ve made since I was a kid.  As I get older I understand and appreciate what every coach or relative tried to instill in me.” 

Sometimes things happen for a reason.  For whatever reasons Arizona had to replace Hightower as part of their future plans, he’s made the most of it.

“I couldn’t afford to dwell on it.  I had to move forward and I’m thankful I ended up in Washington playing for coach Shanahan. ”

He should be thankful.  Hightower’s combination of strength and speed combined with a high-octane motor is an ideal fit in Shanahan’s zone blocking running scheme.  He possesses comparable skill sets as former Denver Broncos runningback Terrell Davis.  Davis was a virtual unknown arriving in the NFL as a late round draft pick by Shanahan and the Broncos.  Shanahan made the most of Davis’ skill sets.  Combined with his determined work ethic, the pair would help lead Denver to two consecutive Super Bowl victories.

Shanahan must have seen something in Hightower that the Cardinals and the other NFL teams didn’t.  Out of curiosity, I asked Hightower if he had ever met Shanahan prior to the trade and if he was promised anything upon his arrival.

Redskins coach Mike Shanahan had his eye on Tim Hightower, as he was looking to add players to the roster with a strong work ethic and character.

“I never met him.  All I know is when I arrived I was told I’d have a chance to compete for a job.  There were no promises or guarantees, just that I would be given a chance.”

It seems that all Hightower ever needs is a chance to do anything and he makes the most of it.  He didn’t receive a considerable amount of playing time his first years at Richmond.  By his junior year, he was on the map, and his senior year was a record breaking season for Richmond.

Still, he wasn’t invited to attend the NFL Combines in 2008.  During Richmond’s Pro Day he was given an opportunity to perform in front of NFL scouts and he made the most of it.  Arizona drafted him in the fifth round of the 2008 NFL Draft and nine months later he was playing in the Super Bowl.

Every runningback fumbles!  Sometimes it gets in a runningback’s head and before long you are stuck with a reputation.  Fumbles cause coaches to get fired.  But Shanahan was willing to work with Hightower.  The Redskins already had several options at the runningback position.  If the fumble issue reared its ugly head again, the Redskins could afford to release him.

Sure enough, Hightower put the ball on the ground during his first practice at Redskins Park.  He did it again his second day.  Here we go, reputation precedes itself. 

But Shanahan shrugged it off to the media while he and his staff worked on protecting the ball with Hightower.  Opportunity was provided again.  He was given a chance to work through the fumbling issue and through four preseason and two regular season games, Hightower has yet to turn the ball over.

Hightower has rewarded Shanahan for his patience.  There is a great deal of respect for Shanahan when Hightower speaks about him.

“He’s a legend.  That’s what I call him.  He’s a great leader who is able to bring everyone together for one goal.  We are one.  Not offense or defense, ONE!  I respect him and have a deep appreciation for what he’s done for this team and myself.”

Special thanks to the Washington Redskins and their PR department for all their help in arranging the interview and providing photos.  Also, to Tim Hightower for spending additional time during the interview process.  Tim went beyond the open locker room time and into his lunch period to make this interview happen.