Desmond Howard

High school

Glenville High School

College

University of Michigan

Pro team(s)

Washington Redskins, Jacksonville Jaguars, Green Bay Packers, Oakland Raiders, Detroit Lions, Cleveland Browns

Desmond Howard was born on May 15, 1970, in Cleveland, Ohio, and grew up in the Glenville neighborhood — attending Glenville High School, one of the most storied programs in the history of Ohio football. At the University of Michigan, Howard emerged as the most electrifying receiver and return man in the Big Ten. In 1991, against Ohio State in Ann Arbor, he caught a three-yard touchdown pass and struck the iconic Heisman Trophy pose in the endzone — a celebration for the ages, and one that proved prophetic: he won the 1991 Heisman Trophy by one of the widest margins in history. Selected 4th overall by the Washington Redskins in 1992, Howard's NFL career found its defining moment not as a receiver but as a special teams weapon. In Super Bowl XXXI on January 26, 1997, as a member of the Green Bay Packers, Howard returned a kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown — the game-icing score in a 35-21 victory over the New England Patriots. He was named the Super Bowl XXXI Most Valuable Player, one of just a handful of players in history to win the award primarily on special teams. After his playing career, Howard became a prominent college football analyst on ESPN's College GameDay. Attended Glenville High School in Cleveland, Ohio.