Highland signs contract with New Orleans Saints

Posted on July 29, 2015
Chris Highland
The long snapper will head to NFL training camp with the New Orleans Saints. (WJBC File Photo)

By Andy Dahn

BLOOMINGTON – Another former Redbird has found a home in the NFL.

Two-time All American long snapper Chris Highland has signed a three year contract with the New Orleans Saints and is expected to report to training camp this week.

A Bloomington Central Catholic graduate, Highland was named to the College Sporting News 2014 Fabulous Fifty FCS All-America Team and was also a First-Team All-Missouri Valley Football Conference selection. Highland played in all 15 games last season and was not credited with a bad snap. He recorded a career-best three tackles on special teams in a win at Indiana State and was a crucial part of the Redbirds run to the FCS National Championship Game.

Highland joins a list of former teammates that have signed with NFL teams this year. Tight end James O’Shaughnessy was taken in the 5th round by the Kansas City Chiefs. Receiver Cam Meredith signed with the Bears, defensive lineman Brandon Prate to the Steelers, plus offensive linemen Jermaine Barton went to Buffalo and Mike Liedtke to the Dolphins.

Andy Dahn can be reached at [email protected].

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…