Born and raised in Dallas, Texas, Livingston graduated from its South Oak Cliff High School in 1964,[1] and played college football at Southern Methodist University in Dallas under Mustangs head coach Hayden Fry, where he broke most of Don Meredith's passing records.
He was the fourth quarterback taken, after Greg Landry, Eldridge Dickey, and Heisman Trophy winner Gary Beban.
Under three head coaches, Livingston was the starter from 1975 until 1979, when he was pulled by Marv Levy in favor of rookie Steve Fuller,[9] but made several starts.
[10][11] On the roster of the Minnesota Vikings in 1980,[12] Livingston saw no regular season action behind Tommy Kramer and Steve Dils.
At age 37, he played in the United States Football League (USFL) in 1983 with the Oakland Invaders as a backup to Fred Besana under head coach John Ralston,[13][14] then was waived in February 1984.