Desmond Howard

Desmond Howard (born May 15, 1970 in Cleveland, Ohio) is a longtime football player in the NFL. He was the Super Bowl MVP of Super Bowl XXXI. His 99-yard kickoff return touchdown stopped the Drew Bledsoe-led New England Patriots' hope for a comeback.

Related Topics:
May 15 - 1970 - Cleveland, Ohio - Football - NFL - Super Bowl MVP - Super Bowl XXXI - Kickoff return - Touchdown - Drew Bledsoe - New England Patriots

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Like Larry Brown in the previous year, Howard became a free agent after the season and used his status to collect a hefty contract from the Oakland Raiders.

Related Topics:
Larry Brown - Free agent - Oakland Raiders

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Howard has played for the Washington Redskins, the 1995 Jacksonville Jaguars, the Green Bay Packers, Oakland, and the Detroit Lions. He was selected to the Pro Bowl in 2000, as NFC Kick Returner.

Related Topics:
Washington Redskins - 1995 - Jacksonville Jaguars - Green Bay Packers - Detroit Lions - Pro Bowl - 2000 - NFC

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Before turning professional, Howard starred at the University of Michigan, where he won the Heisman Trophy, given to the nation's most outstanding player, in 1991. Playing wide receiver, returning kicks, and returning punts, Howard scored 23 touchdowns in 11 regular-season games, including a Big Ten Conference-record 19 touchdown receptions. Howard was a member of four consecutive Big Ten championship teams at Michigan (1988-91), traveling to three Rose Bowls. He turned professional in the winter of 1992 and was selected fourth overall by Washington in that year's NFL Draft. The moment which probably defined Howard's college career was his memorable touchdown-scoring 93-yard punt return against archrival Ohio State in 1991. Once he reached the end zone, Howard struck the infamous "Heisman" pose, thus causing ABC play-by-play commentator Keith Jackson to utter the line, "Hello, Heisman!" Since this moment, he has been credited with popularizing the "Heisman" pose as an on-field celebration for football players at all levels.

Related Topics:
University of Michigan - Heisman Trophy - 1991 - Wide receiver - Touchdown - Big Ten Conference - 1988 - Rose Bowl - 1992 - NFL Draft - Ohio State - ABC

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On May 3, 2005, EA Sports announced that Howard would be the cover athlete for their latest installment in the NCAA Football series, NCAA Football 06. This announcement is a departure for the series, which has traditionally featured college athletes who went to the NFL the previous year on its covers.

Related Topics:
May 3 - 2005 - EA Sports

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