Thomas Howard

Thomas Howard played football at Dunbar High School from 1971-1973. An outstanding linebacker at Dunbar, Howard accepted a football scholarship to Texas Tech University and played for the Red Raiders from 1974-1977. Howard was named as an All-American in 1976, and was named All-Southwest Conference as a senior. Howard played a major role defensively for the Red Raiders in 1976, helping Texas Tech to a 10-1 record and a national ranking of #4 in the nation. Howard was drafted in 1977 by the Kansas City Chiefs and played nine seasons in the National Football League. His son, Thomas Howard Jr., currently plays in the NFL as a linebacker for the Oakland Raiders. The elder Howard wore the jersey number #52 for the Kansas City Chiefs and #59 for the St. Louis Cardinals. He returned 3 fumble recoveries for touchdowns: one in 1980 against the Denver Broncos, one in 1981 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and one in 1984 against the New England Patriots.