Desmond Howard at Fiesta Bowl lunch: 'Be a star in your role'
Desmond Howard returned two of the most famous punts and kicks in college football and NFL history.
The former Heisman Trophy winner and Super Bowl MVP shared some of the best advice he’s ever received with a crowd of supporters and local business leaders on Tuesday in Phoenix.
“One thing that always stuck with me, and I think this is important for everybody in this room,” Howard said, “is you can always contribute to the success of your group or your team or your organization, no matter how significant or insignificant you may think your role is.
“As a primary special teams player, I was taught, be a star in your role. So whatever your role is, be a star in your role to help the team.”
Howard, a longtime ESPN College GameDay analyst, was the keynote speaker at the 2023 Arizona Bank and Trust Fiesta Bowl Kickoff Luncheon at the Arizona Biltmore Resort. The event raised $103,140, organizers announced. The Vrbo Fiesta Bowl is Jan. 1, 2024. The Guaranteed Rate Bowl is Dec. 26, 2023. A portion of ticket sales benefit Fiesta Bowl Charities.
Howard was interviewed on stage by Fiesta Bowl executive director and CEO Erik Moses.
The former Michigan star detailed his 93-yard punt return touchdown against Ohio State during the 1991 season, in which he famously struck the Heisman pose in the end zone.
“I promise you guys, the whole way down there, I’m talking to myself about doing this backflip,” Howard said. “And at about probably the 13-yard line, I chickened out. I really did. I talked myself out of it. I’m like, ‘Listen, you do it and you don’t do it right, you’re going to be on SportsCenter for the wrong thing. It’ll live with you the rest of your life.’ … I crossed the goal line and spontaneously, I did the pose. It took on a life of its own after that.”
Howard was drafted fourth overall by Washington in 1992 and went on to play 11 seasons in the NFL, including stops with Jacksonville, Green Bay (twice), Oakland and Detroit.
His 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown in Super Bowl XXXI sealed the 1996 Green Bay Packers’ victory over the New England Patriots.
“I’m on the field with first-ballot Hall of Famers, legitimate first-ballot Hall of Famers,” Howard said, “but when we played in that Super Bowl … anybody who was on that team will tell you, it was three strong phases to the Green Bay Packers. It wasn’t just offense and defense. It was offense, defense and special teams. … So whatever your role is, whatever you do, be a star in your role. You never know how it’s going to impact your group, your team, your organization or whoever it is you work with or work for.”
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Football analyst Desmond Howard speaks at Fiesta Bowl Kickoff lunch
