Who Is Desmond Howard? Age, Biography, and Wiki
Desmond Howard, born on May 15, 1970, is a retired American football player who rose to fame for his exceptional skills as a wide receiver and return specialist. Known for his electrifying plays and contributions to his teams throughout his career, he has left an indelible mark on the sport. As of 2025, Desmond Howard is 54 years old. He is widely recognized for his tenure with teams like the University of Michigan Wolverines, Green Bay Packers, and the Washington Redskins, alongside a successful career in sports broadcasting post-retirement.
| Occupation | Football Players |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | May 15, 1970 |
| Age | 55 Years |
| Birth Place | Cleveland, Ohio, U.S. |
| Horoscope | Taurus |
| Country | U.S |
Popularity
Desmond Howard's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
Desmond Howard stands at an impressive height of 6 feet (183 cm) and weighs around 195 pounds (88 kg). His athletic build and physical prowess contributed significantly to his performance on the field, making him a formidable opponent and a respected figure in American football.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
As of 2025, Desmond Howard is reportedly single. While he has been private about his personal relationships, there have been no confirmed reports regarding a girlfriend or significant other. Howard has a family with children, though he tends to keep details about them out of the public eye.
Net Worth and Salary
Desmond Howard's estimated net worth in 2025 is around $14 million. His wealth primarily stems from his successful football career, endorsements, and his work as a sports analyst. During his NFL career, he earned a considerable salary that has been bolstered by ongoing earnings from television appearances and guest commentary in sports programs.
Career, Business, and Investments
Desmond Howard's professional football career began when he was drafted by the Washington Redskins in 1992. He achieved significant success in the NFL, notably winning the Super Bowl XXXI with the Green Bay Packers and earning the title of Super Bowl MVP. Beyond his athletic achievements, Howard transitioned seamlessly into sports broadcasting after retiring from football. He is currently a prominent analyst for ESPN, contributing to shows such as "College GameDay."
In terms of investments, while specific details remain private, Howard has been known to endorse various products and brands and has likely made strategic investments in the sports and entertainment sectors, leveraging his fame and knowledge.
Desmond Kevin Howard (born May 15, 1970) is an American former professional football wide receiver and return specialist who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 11 seasons.
He played college football for the Michigan Wolverines, winning the Heisman Trophy in 1991, and was selected fourth overall in the 1992 NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins. Howard spent most of his career on special teams as a return specialist and holds the NFL single-season record for punt return yardage.
With the Green Bay Packers, Howard was named Most Valuable Player of Super Bowl XXXI after returning a kickoff for a 99-yard touchdown against the New England Patriots, the longest return in Super Bowl history at the time. He is the only special teams player to receive the award. He was inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame in 2010.
Social Network
Desmond Howard is active on various social media platforms where he engages with fans and shares insights on football, personal updates, and commentary on sports events. You can find him on:
- Twitter: @DesmondHoward
- Instagram: @DesmondHoward
- Facebook: Desmond Howard
Ohio State coach John Cooper ordered his team to avoid giving Howard chances to score. The punt that Howard returned for a touchdown in the game was supposed to go out of bounds, so the Ohio State special teams players were unprepared for him.
In the end zone, Howard wanted to do a backflip but, Howard later said, "chickened out"; instead he imitated the pose of the football player on the Heisman trophy bust, immediately receiving much media attention.
Comparing his act to Muhammad Ali's taunting of opponents, Steve Rushin observed that although Howard's pose did not closely resemble that of the statue, "that looks more like the Heisman Trophy of our imagination than the Heisman trophy itself ... thousands of people must have instantly picked up some object and tried to do the same thing".
Howard later said that "all of a sudden, everyone was doing it"; many have imitated the act, including fellow athletes, celebrities, and Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. Howard said that the pose has become a greeting for fans meeting him, but he avoids doing it himself "because the more I do it, it kind of cheapens it".
Education
Desmond Howard attended the University of Michigan, where he excelled as a football player. He graduated with a degree in Communications, which laid the foundation for his successful career in sports broadcasting. His time at Michigan not only honed his football skills but also prepared him for his future endeavors in media.
Howard played college football at the University of Michigan. During his time there Howard set or tied five NCAA records, and twelve school records, including 19 receiving touchdowns in a single season, the program's current all-time record.
In 1991, Howard caught 62 passes for 985 yards and scored 23 total touchdowns, while also rushing for 180 yards and gaining 694 yards on special teams, with an average of 27.5 yards per kickoff return and 14.1 yards per punt return. He won the Heisman Trophy, Maxwell Award, and Walter Camp Award, earning unanimous All-American honors.
Howard captured 85 percent of the first-place votes in balloting for the Heisman, the largest margin in history at that time. Howard also earned a bachelor's degree in communications in 1992.
In 2010, he was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and he was honored as the inaugural Michigan Football Legend, a program honoring former players equivalent to a retired jersey number. Each Michigan player to wear Howard's No.
21 jersey was to wear a patch recognizing Howard, and dress at a locker bearing a plaque with his name and time of tenure at Michigan. Howard finished his three seasons at Michigan with 249 rushing yards, 134 receptions for 2,146 yards, 1,211 kickoff return yards, and 339 yards returning punts, while also scoring 37 touchdowns.
