Dallas Cowboys

Howard was a basketball player who had never played a down of college football,^[2] but he signed as an undrafted free agent in 1974 with the Dallas Cowboys, declining an offer to play professional basketball in France. 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 his two years with the team he earned the nickname "Dr. W." for his hitting as the wedge buster in the special teams unit. 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.

Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks selected him from the Cowboys roster in the 1976 NFL Expansion Draft. He became the first starting tight end in franchise history, posting 37 receptions (second on the team) for 422 yards (third on the team).^[3]

His 37 receptions in 1976 was a team record for tight ends that lasted 26 years until it was broken by Itula Mili in 2002.^[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. He finished with 72 receptions for 850 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Buffalo Bills

In 1979, he signed with the Buffalo Bills, but only played in one game. He was released in 1980.