David Howard (linebacker)

David Howard
No. 99, 51
Position:	1984 / Round: 3
Career history
	Los Angeles Express (1984–1985); Minnesota Vikings (1985–1989); Dallas Cowboys (1989–1990); New England Patriots (1991–1992);
Career highlights and awards
	2× All- PCAA (1982, 1983); Second-team All-PCAA (1981);
Career NFL statistics
Games played:
Games played:	120
	Player stats at NFL.com · PFR

David Howard (born December 8, 1961) is a former American football linebacker in the National Football League (NFL) for the Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys and New England Patriots. He also was a member of the Los Angeles Express in the United States Football League. He played college football at Long Beach State University.

Early years

Howard attended Long Beach Polytechnic High School, where he was the city co-player of the year in 1978. He accepted a football scholarship from Oregon State University and was a starter as a freshman at linebacker, but decided to transfer to Long Beach State at the end of the season.^[1]

He was named the starter at

middle linebacker as a sophomore. As a senior, he registered 89 tackles (51 solo), 6 tackles for loss and 2 fumble recoveries. He finished his career with 242 tackles, 17 sacks, 6 interceptions and 16 passes defensed.^[2]

In 1998, he was inducted into the Long Beach State Hall of Fame.

Professional career

Los Angeles Express (USFL)

Howard was selected in the

USFL Territorial Draft by the Los Angeles Express.^[3]

He was a starter the two years he played for the team.

Minnesota Vikings

He was selected by the

1984 NFL Supplemental Draft of USFL and CFL players.^[4] In 1985, he replaced an injured Scott Studwell and received 4 starts after the twelfth game of the season. He registered 80 tackles, 5 passes defensed and 3 forced fumbles.^[5]

The next year, he was named the starter at

right outside linebacker, posting 88 tackles (sixth on the team), 55 solo tackles, 2 passes defensed and 3 forced fumbles (tied for the team lead), despite missing three games with a hyper-extended right elbow.^[6]

In 1987, he played in 10 games (7 starts) after missing four games with a sprained ankle, recording 33 tackles (24 solo), 2 passes defensed and one interception.^[7] The next year, he started in all the games, finishing with 46 tackles (31 solo), 3 interceptions, 2 fumble recoveries and one forced fumble. Against the Dallas Cowboys, he had 2 solo tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery.

On October 12, 1989, he was sent to the Dallas Cowboys as part of the Herschel Walker trade. At the time he started 3 games and had 15 tackles.

Dallas Cowboys

In

strongside linebacker position with Jack Del Rio

in the final eight games, playing in the second and fourth quarters. He finished the season with 18 tackles (9 solo) and one quarterback pressure in 11 games.

In

1991 NFL Draft (Russell Maryland).^[8]

New England Patriots

In

right outside linebacker, registering 60 tackles (40 solo), 3 passes defensed and one sack.^[9]

The next year, he played in 16 games (10 starts), finishing with 78 tackles (59 solo), 3 forced fumbles (tied team lead), 2

special teams tackles and one interception. He was released on July 24, 1993, after having a difference of opinion about his sprained toe with new head coach Bill Parcells.^[10]

David is CEO of Empower Me Inc. David is also founder of Urban Village Family Services and Stop Six Realty LLC.

References

^ "Beavers' Levasa the center of Orengon State's resolve". Retrieved February 19, 2018.
^ "Howard relives memories of LBSU football". California State University Long Beach. 1998-10-06. Archived from the original on 2016-08-26. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
^ "Four ex-Jayhawks plan to join Express". Retrieved February 19, 2018.
^ "1984 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-10-10.
^ "Vikings QB Kramer hurting; Wilson to start against Eagles". Retrieved February 19, 2018.
^ "Vikings lose two". Retrieved February 19, 2018.
^ "NFL injuries". Retrieved February 19, 2018.
^ "Pats receive Lockhart". Retrieved February 19, 2018.
^ "Patriots Have Howard Wondering". Articles.courant.com. 1992-10-25. Retrieved February 19, 2018.
^ "Parcells kicks Howard out". Retrieved February 19, 2018.

External links

New England Patriots bio Archived 2015-04-12 at the Wayback Machine
Long Beach State Hall of Fame bio Archived 2015-04-13 at the Wayback Machine
Video Interview on Pain Resource

[1] "Beavers' Levasa the center of Orengon State's resolve". Retrieved February 19, 2018.

[2] "Howard relives memories of LBSU football". California State University Long Beach. 1998-10-06. Archived from the original on 2016-08-26. Retrieved February 19, 2018.

[3] "Four ex-Jayhawks plan to join Express". Retrieved February 19, 2018.

[4] "1984 NFL Draft Listing". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-10-10.

[5] "Vikings QB Kramer hurting; Wilson to start against Eagles". Retrieved February 19, 2018.

[6] "Vikings lose two". Retrieved February 19, 2018.

[7] "NFL injuries". Retrieved February 19, 2018.

[8] "Pats receive Lockhart". Retrieved February 19, 2018.

[9] "Patriots Have Howard Wondering". Articles.courant.com. 1992-10-25. Retrieved February 19, 2018.

[10] "Parcells kicks Howard out". Retrieved February 19, 2018.

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