 After the professionalization of the game in the mid-1990s, Billups was one of the first American rugby players to sign a professional contract in 1996.He started his professional career playing for the Blackheath Rugby Club in London from August 1996 to February 1997.Billups then played for the London Harlequins]] from 1997 to 1999 and was the Supporter's Club Player of the Year during the 1997-1998 season.