Early years

Howell was born in Fresno, California. 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.

College career

Howell attended the University of Southern California, where he played for the USC Trojans football team. As a senior in 1978, he received consensus first-team All-American honors.

Professional career

The Houston Oilers chose Howell in the second round (forty-ninth pick overall) of the 1979 NFL Draft, and he played for the Oilers from 1979 to 1983, and Atlanta Falcons between 1983 and 1985.

Football family

His son, Nick Howell, was an offensive lineman for the USC Trojans, after playing football at Bullard High school in Fresno, California.

1978 College Football All-America Team consensus selections Offense QB Chuck Fusina RB Charles Alexander RB Ted Brown RB Billy Sims RB Charles White WR Emanuel Tolbert TE Kellen Winslow OT Kelvin Clark OT Keith Dorney G Pat Howell G Greg Roberts C Dave Huffman C Jim Ritcher Defense DL Mike Bell DL Bruce Clark DL Hugh Green DL Al Harris DL Marty Lyons LB Tom Cousineau LB Bob Golic LB Jerry Robinson DB Kenny Easley DB Johnnie Johnson DB Jeff Nixon Special teams P Russell Erxleben

1978 USC Trojans football—UPI national champions Marcus Allen Chip Banks Larry Braziel Hoby Brenner Brad Budde Steve Busick Lynn Cain Garry Cobb Jeff Fisher Chris Foote Roy Foster Riki Gray Carter Hartwig Pat Howell Dennis Johnson Ronnie Lott Paul McDonald Anthony Muñoz Dennis Smith Calvin Sweeney Keith Van Horne Charles White Head coach: John Robinson Assistant coaches: Paul Hackett Gil Haskell Hudson Houck John Marshall Bob Toledo Norv Turner

[ Source: Wikipedia ]