Desmond Howard, born on May 15, 1970, in Cleveland, Ohio, first gained attention for his athletic prowess during his time at St. Joseph High School. He played primarily as a tailback and achieved impressive statistics, including 5,392 all-purpose yards and 18 touchdowns. His athletic versatility extended beyond football; he also earned varsity letters in basketball and track. For his outstanding performance, Howard received All-American and All-Ohio honors during his high school years.
Howard continued his football career at the University of Michigan from 1989 to 1991. As a wide receiver and return specialist, he set or tied five NCAA records and twelve school records. In the 1991 season, he led the Big Ten Conference in scoring with 138 points. That same year, he was awarded the Heisman Trophy, the Maxwell Award, and the Walter Camp Award. He also earned first-team All-American honors for his exceptional play.
Howard graduated from the University of Michigan in 1992 with a degree in communications. In recognition of his collegiate achievements, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010. In 2014, he was further honored as one of the members of the Mount Rushmore of Michigan Football.
Desmond Howard began his professional football career when he was selected fourth overall by the Washington Redskins in the 1992 NFL Draft. He played with the team until 1994, primarily as a wide receiver and return specialist. Although not heavily utilized as a receiver, Howard earned respect for his work ethic and special teams contributions.
In 1995, he joined the Jacksonville Jaguars for a single season, recording 26 receptions and contributing significantly on kick returns. The following year, Howard signed with the Green Bay Packers. His 1996 season became the pinnacle of his NFL career, as he set an NFL single-season record with 875 punt return yards. His performance culminated in Super Bowl XXXI, where he returned a kickoff for a 99-yard touchdown and was named Super Bowl MVP—the only special teams player to win the award at that time. He played a key role in the Packers' victory over the New England Patriots.
Howard spent the 1997 and 1998 seasons with the Oakland Raiders before returning briefly to the Green Bay Packers in 1999. He concluded his professional playing career with the Detroit Lions, retiring in 2002.
Following his retirement from the NFL, Desmond Howard transitioned into broadcasting. He joined ESPN as a college football analyst, where he continues to provide expert commentary and insights on the sport. His analysis, especially during College GameDay broadcasts, has made him a respected voice in football media.
Desmond Howard resides in Miami, Florida, with his wife, Rebkah Howard, with whom he has three children. Beyond his on-field accomplishments, he remains active in public engagements and on social media platforms such as Twitter, where fans can follow his latest insights and commentary.
With a successful transition from professional athlete to media personality, Howard has built a well-rounded, enduring career. As of 2012, his net worth was estimated at approximately $14 million, reflecting both his success in football and his media ventures.
| Birth Date: | 15 May, 1970 |
| Age: | 49 yrs |
| Occupations: | American football player |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Cleveland |
| Education: | University of Michigan |
| Gender: | Male |
| Twitter Id: | Desmondhoward |
| Net Worth 2021: | 14 million |
