Thomas Howard
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Career Summary
Thomas Howard was an NFL linebacker who played college football at UTEP. NFL statistics credit him with 95 games, 433 tackles, six sacks, seven interceptions and six forced fumbles.
Thomas Howard was an NFL linebacker who played college football at UTEP. NFL statistics credit him with 95 games, 433 tackles, six sacks, seven interceptions and six forced fumbles.
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Early Life
The reviewed official UTEP and NFL sources focus on Howard’s college and professional career and do not provide enough verified detail about his early life.
The reviewed official UTEP and NFL sources focus on Howard’s college and professional career and do not provide enough verified detail about his early life.
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High School
The reviewed official football sources do not provide a sufficiently detailed verified account of Howard’s high-school career.
The reviewed official football sources do not provide a sufficiently detailed verified account of Howard’s high-school career.
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Sources for this section
College Career
Howard arrived at UTEP as a 190-pound walk-on defensive back and developed into a 240-pound linebacker and NFL prospect. He became a three-year starter, recording 34 tackles for loss and 13 sacks for the Miners.
Howard arrived at UTEP as a 190-pound walk-on defensive back and developed into a 240-pound linebacker and NFL prospect. He became a three-year starter, recording 34 tackles for loss and 13 sacks for the Miners.
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Path to the NFL
Oakland selected Howard in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft out of UTEP. Raiders draft history lists him as a linebacker in that class.
Oakland selected Howard in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft out of UTEP. Raiders draft history lists him as a linebacker in that class.
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NFL Career
Howard played five seasons for Oakland, then joined Cincinnati and Atlanta. His NFL career totaled 95 games, including 76 with the Raiders, 17 with the Bengals and two with the Falcons.
Howard played five seasons for Oakland, then joined Cincinnati and Atlanta. His NFL career totaled 95 games, including 76 with the Raiders, 17 with the Bengals and two with the Falcons.
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Career Accomplishments
Howard’s standout 2007 Raiders season produced six interceptions, two interception-return touchdowns and 172 interception-return yards, leading the AFC in the latter category. His 2011 Bengals season included a career-high 99 tackles.
Howard’s standout 2007 Raiders season produced six interceptions, two interception-return touchdowns and 172 interception-return yards, leading the AFC in the latter category. His 2011 Bengals season included a career-high 99 tackles.
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Playing Style
Howard played both weak-side and strong-side linebacker for Oakland. Raiders coverage described him as the club’s most experienced linebacker in 2010 after 64 games and 62 starts across his first four seasons.
Howard played both weak-side and strong-side linebacker for Oakland. Raiders coverage described him as the club’s most experienced linebacker in 2010 after 64 games and 62 starts across his first four seasons.
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Legacy
Howard’s journey from UTEP walk-on to NFL starter earned him a place on UTEP’s Football Centennial Team. The school recognized his three-year starting career, 34 tackles for loss and 13 sacks among its program standouts.
Howard’s journey from UTEP walk-on to NFL starter earned him a place on UTEP’s Football Centennial Team. The school recognized his three-year starting career, 34 tackles for loss and 13 sacks among its program standouts.
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Post-Career
Howard died in a California car accident in November 2013. UTEP described him as a former Miner standout whose professional career followed his 2002–05 college tenure.
Howard died in a California car accident in November 2013. UTEP described him as a former Miner standout whose professional career followed his 2002–05 college tenure.
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Sources for this section
21234, 00-0024253, 1983-07-14, Thomas Howard, Thomas, Howard
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