Howell played college football for the USC Trojans, earning unanimous All-American honors in 1978.
He was a Parade magazine high school All-American for Fresno High School football team in 1974, and Central California Valley discus throw champion in track and field.
Howell attended the University of Southern California, where he played for the USC Trojans football team.
His son, Nick Howell, was an offensive lineman for the USC Trojans, after playing football at Bullard High School in Fresno, California.
This biographical article relating to an American football offensive lineman born in the 1950s is a stub.