Ex-Brebeuf star Jay Higgins grateful to play in front of home crowd: 'Didn't get here by myself'
Story by
Ex-Brebeuf star Jay Higgins grateful to play in front of home crowd: 'Didn't get here by myself'
Akeem Glaspie, Indianapolis Star·Indianapolis Star
·
3 min read
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
INDIANAPOLIS --- It takes a village to achieve your dreams, and former Brebeuf Jesuit high school starJay HigginsIV knows he could not have made it to the NFL without the friends, family and coaches who poured into him along the way.
Higgins, a second-year linebacker with theBaltimore Ravens, opened the 2026 NFL season back home in Indianapolis, facing off against anIndianapolis Coltsteam he grew up watching as a kid. Higgins said he had about 60 people waiting to see him after the game, supporters with No. 49 Ravens jerseys who eagerly purchased tickets as soon as they learned the Ravens were coming to town.
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) adjusts his helmet Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, ahead of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts defensive end Arden Key (98) claps his hands with teammates on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, ahead of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Simone Biles shows her outfit to her husband Indianapolis Colts safety Jonathan Owens (38) on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, ahead of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) embraces Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Keenan Allen (10) on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) throws Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen high-fives Indianapolis Colts defensive end Laiatu Latu (97) on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, ahead of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Kalen Jackson (left) speaks with her sister Carlie Irsay-Gordon on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, before a Indianapolis Colts game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen hugs his daughter, Stella, on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Ashton Dulin (16) puts on his helmet Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. (5) throws Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) runs Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) practices Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (13) catches the ball Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Justin Walley (27) catches the ball Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton looks up at the stands Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, before a Indianapolis Colts game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Simone Biles (bottom) speaks with people in the stands Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, before a Indianapolis Colts game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Simone Biles stands on the sideline Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts defensive end Micheal Clemons (72) warms-up Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, ahead of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Grover Stewart (90) puts on his helmet Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, ahead of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts Chris Ballard high-fives Indianapolis Colts defensive end Laiatu Latu (97) on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, ahead of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) throws the ball Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, ahead of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Simone Biles kisses her husband Indianapolis Colts safety Jonathan Owens (38), Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, ahead of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Simone Biles holds hands with her husband Indianapolis Colts safety Jonathan Owens (38) on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, ahead of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
1/23
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) adjusts his helmet Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, ahead of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
1/23
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) adjusts his helmet Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, ahead of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
2/23
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1
Indianapolis Colts defensive end Arden Key (98) claps his hands with teammates on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, ahead of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
3/23
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1
Simone Biles shows her outfit to her husband Indianapolis Colts safety Jonathan Owens (38) on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, ahead of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
4/23
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) embraces Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Keenan Allen (10) on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
5/23
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) throws Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
6/23
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen high-fives Indianapolis Colts defensive end Laiatu Latu (97) on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, ahead of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
7/23
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1
Kalen Jackson (left) speaks with her sister Carlie Irsay-Gordon on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, before a Indianapolis Colts game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
8/23
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1
Indianapolis Colts head coach Shane Steichen hugs his daughter, Stella, on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
9/23
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Ashton Dulin (16) puts on his helmet Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
10/23
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Anthony Richardson Sr. (5) throws Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
11/23
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) runs Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
12/23
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Alec Pierce (14) practices Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
13/23
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1
Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Laquon Treadwell (13) catches the ball Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
14/23
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Justin Walley (27) catches the ball Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
15/23
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1
Indiana Pacers guard Tyrese Haliburton looks up at the stands Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, before a Indianapolis Colts game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
16/23
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1
Simone Biles (bottom) speaks with people in the stands Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, before a Indianapolis Colts game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
17/23
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1
Simone Biles stands on the sideline Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Christine Tannous/IndyStar)
18/23
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1
Indianapolis Colts defensive end Micheal Clemons (72) warms-up Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, ahead of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
19/23
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1
Indianapolis Colts defensive tackle Grover Stewart (90) puts on his helmet Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, ahead of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
20/23
Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard through the years
Indianapolis Colts Chris Ballard high-fives Indianapolis Colts defensive end Laiatu Latu (97) on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, ahead of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
21/23
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Daniel Jones (17) throws the ball Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, ahead of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
22/23
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1
Simone Biles kisses her husband Indianapolis Colts safety Jonathan Owens (38), Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, ahead of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
23/23
See the fans, game action as Colts take on Ravens in NFL Week 1
Simone Biles holds hands with her husband Indianapolis Colts safety Jonathan Owens (38) on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2026, ahead of the game against the Baltimore Ravens at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
(Grace Hollars/IndyStar)
Higgins and theRavens handed the Colts a 41-23 loss, helping him get his first win at Lucas Oil Stadium after losing in the 2021 Class 3A state championship game to Gibson Southern and losing twice in the Big Ten championship game with the Hawkeyes.
Despite a standout career at Iowa where Higgins was a two-time First Team All-Big Ten linebacker and the 2024 Big Ten Linebacker of the Year award winner, Higgins went undrafted, making his path to the league even more unlikely. Higgins played in 11 games as a rookie, notching three solo tackles and a forced fumble. This season, Higgins is the second-string middle linebacker behindRoquan Smith, and he's embracing his role on special teams. Sunday's opening kickoff allowed him to unleash all the emotions he felt heading into Year 2 of his pro career.
"It was a full circle moment being able to come back here, playing in the National Football League," Higgins said. "You just think about all the things it took to get to this point, all the naysayers and the people who said you couldn't play at this level.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
"I definitely didn't get here by myself. I'm aware of everybody who contributed along the way. I'm just grateful that they saw something in me, something that sometimes I didn't see in myself."
Higgins said he feels a sense of gratitude for all the supporters in his corner. He credited the staff at Brebeuf, specifically former Braves basketball coach Todd Howard with preparing him to play in college. Howard came from IUPUI and ran a program with the structure and discipline Higgins needed to grow as a player and person.
"We were well coached (at Brebeuf), (Howard) came from college and that was the level I was trying to get to," Higgins. "Just that level of coaching, that level of detail was much needed. When I got Iowa, that's how those coaches were. ... Football-wise, the staff (at Brebeuf) gave me all the resources I needed to be the best football player, and that's exactly how Iowa was. The scheme, the weightlifting program. You've just got to show up, do your job, keep your head down and you'll turn into a good player."
Higgins wasn't the only former Big Ten star who returned to Lucas Oil Stadium. Former Ohio State star Caden Curry made his NFL debut, recording one tackle against the Ravens.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement
Like Curry and numerous other Indianapolis-area natives in the NFL, Higgins wants to be a role model for the next wave of athletes behind him.
"I'm always aware of the community I come from, the kids I inspire," Higgins said. "You always just want to be an inspiration to the people who believe in you. I take that with honor; I don't take it lightly. It's my job to keep making those people who believe in me proud."
Our editors independently choose our recommendations. Some content is produced with paid support from a third party, however our editorial decisions remain independent. If you buy through our links, the USA TODAY Network may earn a commission. Prices and availability may change.
