He accepted a football scholarship to play at Middle Tennessee State University, where he was a three-year starter at defensive end and a two-time All-OVC selection.
In 1990 after playing his first NFL season, he returned to school to work on his Physical Education degree at a time when the basketball team was left with only 3 active players, after suspensions were handed down following a bench-clearing brawl against Tennessee Tech University.
Tippins signed as an undrafted free agent with the Dallas Cowboys in 1989, with the intention of being converted into an outside linebacker.
He initially joined the practice squad, before being promoted to the active roster for the eleventh game of the season against the Miami Dolphins.
In March 2009, he was sentenced to ten years in prison with four to serve after pleading guilty to cocaine-related offences.