Recruited out of high school as a wide receiver by the Oregon Ducks, he moved to the running back position and was named to the 1971 College Football All-America Team at that position. After being drafted by the Cardinals, Rashād went back to wide receiver, and played for the Cardinals for two seasons. After being traded to the Buffalo Bills in 1974, and sitting out the 1975 season with a knee injury, he signed with the Seattle Seahawks before the 1976 season, who traded him shortly thereafter to the Minnesota Vikings (1976–1982), where he earned four Pro Bowl selections from 1978 to 1981.