He was a high school All-American in basketball and All-conference in football as a tight end (he also played defensive back).

Howard played primarily tight end, the position at which he had been an all-conference high school player, and his signing is considered a prime example of the innovative personnel decisions the Cowboys were renowned for at the time.

In Super Bowl X, he played a quarter in place of injured starter Jean Fugett and also forced a fumble with a hit on Donnie Shell.

[4] He played three seasons for the Seahawks, before plantar fasciitis in both feet limited his production and was eventually waived on August 9, 1979.

[5] He once was a student teacher and gym class instructor at Asa Mercer Junior High School in Seattle.