Heard signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2000.

In his five years with the team he started 24 of 69 games, recording 182 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and six interceptions.

Heard spent one year with the Atlanta Falcons in 2005 after signing with them as an unrestricted free agent.

[1] In his only year with the team, he started 5 of 12 games and made 29 tackles.

Heard and his wife, LaToya have three children; two girls (Kaitlyn and Parker) and one son (Reid).