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Erik Howard
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Erik Howard
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Erik Matthew Howard (born November 12, 1964) is an American former professional football player who was a defensive tackle for 11 seasons in the National Football League (NFL). He played nine seasons with the New York Giants, and was a member of the teams that won Super Bowls XXI and XXV.

Key Information

Howard graduated from Bellarmine Prep in San Jose, California, and played college football for the Washington State Cougars in Pullman under head coach Jim Walden. He was All-Pac-10 as a senior in 1985,[1][2] and selected by the Giants in the second round of the 1986 NFL draft, 46th overall.[3][4][5]

In the 1990 NFC Championship game against the two-time defending NFL champion San Francisco 49ers, Howard came up with one of the biggest plays of the 1990 season and arguably the biggest play in Giants history. With just under three minutes left in the game, the Giants trailed 13–12, and the 49ers had the game nearly wrapped up when Howard fought through a double-team block by 49ers' Guard Guy McIntyre and Center Jesse Sapolu to force running back Roger Craig to fumble the football after getting his helmet on the ball.[6] Teammate Lawrence Taylor fought through two blocks by 49ers' TE Brent Jones and RB Tom Rathman to get to the spot along the line of scrimmage where Craig was located to recover the fumble as the ball was forced out of Craig's grasp. The Giants went on to win the game on Matt Bahr's field goal, kicked with four seconds remaining to end the 49ers' bid for a three-peat. The Giants went on to win Super Bowl XXV over the Buffalo Bills seven days later.

After the 1994 season, Howard signed with the New York Jets as a free agent and played with them for two years before deciding to retire. He currently resides in Marshall, Texas, with his wife Jennifer Howard and three children Jackson Howard, Katelynn Howard, and Keaton Howard.

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Erik Howard

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Erik Howard is an American former professional football defensive tackle known for his eleven-season career in the National Football League (NFL), most notably with the New York Giants where he contributed to two Super Bowl victories. Born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, he played college football at Washington State University before being selected by the Giants, with whom he spent nine seasons from 1986 to 1994, followed by two seasons with the New York Jets from 1995 to 1996. Howard earned a Pro Bowl selection and was part of the Giants' championship teams in Super Bowl XXI and Super Bowl XXV. Standing at 6 feet 4 inches and weighing 275 pounds, Howard played primarily as a nose tackle and defensive tackle, known for his strength and role in the defensive line during a successful era for the Giants franchise. His contributions helped anchor the team's defensive efforts in key playoff runs and solidified his place among notable players from that period in NFL history.

Early life and education

Birth and early background

Erik Matthew Howard was born on November 12, 1964, in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, United States. Biographical records consistently list his full name as Erik Matthew Howard and his height as 6 feet 4 inches (1.93 m). He relocated to California during his youth, where he would later attend high school.

High school years

Erik Howard attended Bellarmine Preparatory School in San Jose, California, where he played high school football. He graduated from Bellarmine in 1982. His performance at Bellarmine Prep contributed to his recruitment to play college football at Washington State University.

College at Washington State University

Erik Howard played college football as a defensive tackle for the Washington State Cougars. During his time at Washington State University, he established himself as a standout on the defensive line in the Pac-10 Conference. As a senior in 1985, Howard won the Morris Trophy, awarded annually to the Pac-10's top defensive lineman. He also earned first-team All-Pac-10 honors in recognition of his performance. This collegiate success positioned him for selection by the New York Giants in the 1986 NFL Draft.

Professional football career

1986 NFL Draft and New York Giants entry

Erik Howard was selected by the New York Giants in the second round (46th overall) of the 1986 NFL Draft. The defensive lineman from Washington State University, where he built on notable college performance, entered the league as a nose tackle. Howard signed with the Giants on July 30, 1986, beginning his professional career with the team that employed a 3-4 defensive scheme. In this alignment, he was positioned as a nose tackle to anchor the interior of the defensive line and disrupt opposing offenses from the outset. His early role focused on providing interior pressure and run-stopping capability within the Giants' defensive structure.

New York Giants tenure (1986–1994)

Erik Howard played nine seasons with the New York Giants from 1986 to 1994, serving as a primary nose tackle and defensive tackle on the team's defensive line. He appeared in 122 regular-season games during this span, starting 92 of them, and provided a steady interior presence that helped anchor the Giants' front against the run and in pass-rushing situations. His role was integral to the Giants' defensive schemes, particularly in the team's 3-4 alignment, where he frequently took on double teams to free up linebackers. Howard's tenure coincided with one of the most successful periods in Giants history, including contributions to teams that reached the playoffs multiple times and won championships. He remained a reliable starter for much of the period, missing relatively few games and maintaining consistent playing time as the Giants rebuilt and competed at a high level in the NFC. By the conclusion of the 1994 season, Howard had established himself as a long-term fixture on the Giants' defensive front.

New York Jets stint (1995–1996)

Following his nine-year tenure with the New York Giants, Erik Howard signed with the New York Jets as a free agent in April 1995 on a three-year contract reportedly worth about $4.5 million, including a signing bonus. The move came after his release by the Giants, and he joined the Jets' defensive line as a veteran presence at defensive tackle and end positions. During the 1995 season, Howard played in all 16 regular-season games and started every one, contributing to the Jets' defensive front throughout the year. His role involved rotating between defensive tackle alignments as he provided interior pressure and run defense support. Howard's 1996 campaign proved far more limited; he started the season opener against the Denver Broncos but suffered a season-ending knee injury in that game, restricting him to just one appearance for the year. This brief stint with the Jets contrasted sharply with his extended prior career elsewhere in the league.

Career statistics and retirement

Erik Howard played in 139 regular season games across 11 NFL seasons from 1986 to 1996, accumulating 33.0 sacks and one safety. These totals reflect his contributions as a defensive tackle during a career that included time with the New York Giants and New York Jets. Howard retired following the 1996 season, his last in the league, during which he appeared in one game before being placed on injured reserve. His career concluded without further professional play after that year.

Achievements and legacy

Super Bowl championships

Erik Howard won two Super Bowl championships as a defensive tackle with the New York Giants. He was part of the team that defeated the Denver Broncos in Super Bowl XXI on January 25, 1987, by a score of 39-20. In that game, during his rookie season, the Giants' defense recorded a safety in the second quarter when defensive end George Martin sacked Broncos quarterback John Elway in the end zone, bringing Denver's lead to 10-9 heading into halftime and contributing to the team's dominant performance. Howard also earned a second ring in Super Bowl XXV on January 27, 1991, when the Giants defeated the Buffalo Bills 20-19. The Giants' defense controlled the clock in that contest, setting a Super Bowl record with 40:33 in time of possession to help secure the narrow victory. Howard later described the 1990-1991 championship run as increasingly "magical," highlighting the underdog status and short preparation time due to external events.

Pro Bowl and awards

Erik Howard received notable individual honors during his college and professional football career. In 1985, while playing for Washington State University, he won the Morris Trophy as the outstanding lineman in the Pac-10 Conference. He was also named first-team All-Pac-10 that same year. In the NFL, Howard was selected to the 1990 Pro Bowl as a nose tackle representing the National Football Conference. He participated in the Pro Bowl game held in February 1991. These accolades highlighted his reputation as one of the league's top interior defensive linemen during his tenure with the New York Giants.

Notable plays and impact

Howard's most iconic play occurred in the 1990 NFC Championship Game against the San Francisco 49ers at Candlestick Park. With the Giants trailing 13-12 and less than three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, the 49ers were driving to run out the clock after moving into Giants territory. Facing a double-team from center Jesse Sapolu and left guard Guy McIntyre, Howard squeezed through the blockers by lowering his body and firing his hands into the center to disrupt leverage, then positioned himself in the gap despite being driven off balance. As Roger Craig hit the hole, Howard drove his helmet into Craig's midsection, jarring the ball loose; Lawrence Taylor recovered the fumble in mid-air and was tackled at the Giants' 43-yard line with 2:36 remaining. This turnover—the game's only one—gave the Giants possession and enabled a six-play, 33-yard drive that set up Matt Bahr's 42-yard field goal as time expired, securing a 15-13 victory that halted the 49ers' bid for a three-peat and advanced New York to Super Bowl XXV. Howard later called it a "slow-motion moment" of desperation in which he thought "somebody's gotta make a play," and he described the stunned silence in the stadium afterward as the best part of the experience. He has referred to the forced fumble as the biggest and marquee play of his 11-year career. Howard's contributions to the Giants' defensive line, particularly this pivotal moment in franchise history, earned him recognition as the 94th greatest player in team history on the New York Giants Top 100 players list.

Personal life

Family and residence

Erik Howard resides in Marshall, Texas, where he has lived since 2005 with his wife, Jennifer Howard, and their three children. The couple owns the historic Samuel Scott Plantation at 7365 Highway 80 in Marshall, which they have maintained in pristine condition, including additions such as a barn. Public information on Howard's family life remains limited, with details primarily drawn from occasional local interviews and historic property records. No notable television or media appearances outside of his NFL playing career are documented.
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