In honor of high school football season kicking off last Friday night and Thursday Night football starting next week, Owensboro Living would like to salute some of our hometown “boys of fall” who have made it to the NFL.
[tw-divider]Vince Buck[/tw-divider]
After graduating OHS, Vince played at Central State (Ohio) and was drafted by the New Orleans Saints, where he played from 1990 to 1995 as a kick-return specialist and defensive end. He returned 70 punts for 569 yards, had ten interceptions, and scored one touchdown on a return.
[tw-divider]Mark Higgs [/tw-divider]
During his time at OHS, Mark was named all-time leading rusher and all-state halfback. He then played for UK and was drafted by the Dallas Cowboys in 1988. He also played for Philadelphia in 1989 and was traded to the Miami Dolphins in 1990, where he played until he was traded to Arizona for the 1994-95 season. In 90 NFL games, Higgs rushed for nearly 3,000 yards and scored 14 touchdowns.
[tw-divider]Kenny Willis [/tw-divider]
Kicker Kenny Willis played his high school ball at OHS as well. He was named All-SEC Academic Team at UK from 1987-1989. His NFL career included kicking for the Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and New York Giants.
[tw-divider]Zane Beehn[/tw-divider]
Zane Beehn got his start at Apollo High School and was a linebacker for UK before being drafted by the San Diego Chargers in 1994.
[tw-divider]Justin Miller [/tw-divider]
Another OHS standout, Miller was named All-State twice and USA Today All American honorable mention his senior year. He played college ball at Clemson and was drafted by the New York Jets in 2005. He played 6 seasons in the NFL, mostly for the Jets, but was also signed by the Oakland Raiders, Arizona Cardinals, and Detroit Lions.
[tw-divider]Tyrone Hopson[/tw-divider]
DCHS grad Tyrone Hopson played college football at Eastern before being signed by the San Francisco 49ers. He also played for the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Detroit Lions.
[tw-divider]Chris Brown[/tw-divider]
Chris Brown played for the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame and then played for the ’84 and ’85 Pittsburgh Steelers.
[tw-divider]Bo Smith [/tw-divider]
Bo Smith played in the Canadian Football League and was a reserve member for the new York Jets.
For more stories of Owensboro’s “Hometown Heroes,” visit the Hall of Fame at the Owensboro Daviess County Convention and Visitors Bureau.
