HOUSTON — As the 2019 NFL draft approached, many Houston Texans fans flooded social media and the radio airwaves, screaming to whoever would listen that they wanted the team to trade up and select Washington State offensive tackle Andre Dillard.
Many believed that the First-Team All-Pac-12 selection would help solidify the line and protect the future franchise quarterback, who had led the league with 62 sacks the season prior.
When the Philadelphia Eagles picked Dillard at No. 22 overall, the majority of the fan base erupted with anger because former Texans general manager Brian Gaine and coach Bill O’Brien failed to move up in the draft to take a lock at tackle. Instead of climbing the draft board, the Texans stayed in their spot and selected offensive lineman Tytus Howard.
Before the Alabama State product could take a snap in an NFL uniform, fans criticized and ridiculed Howard primarily due to a lack of familiarity with the Southwestern Athletic Conference. The Texans knew what Howard had to offer the entire time.
“Our scouting department did a wonderful job here evaluating him,” said Gaine after the first round of the draft about Howard. “Our scouts were on him as early as August when we were visiting the training camps. He’s going to be a good addition to the offensive line room. He’s going to be a very good addition in terms of the football personality in the offensive line room.”
Howard knew that many fans had reservations about him, but his way of combating that is what it has always been when he has been doubted, and that is to go to work.
After his rookie season, Howard was named to the Pro Football Writers of America’s All-Rookie Team. In his four years as a starter, Howard has played every position on the offensive line except center. Before training camp began, he was rewarded for his versatility and dependability with a three-year, $56 million extension with $35.6 million guaranteed.
Not bad for a former high school quarterback and walk-on tight end at Alabama State.
“I feel good,” Howard said with a smile when asked about his extension. “I pride myself in being a Texan. I feel like I want to be here my whole career. I love it here – the team, the camaraderie. This year has just been outstanding [and] I just knew I wanted to be a part of that. I see something good here building. I’m here for the future.”
“All I wanted was a chance when I got here,” said Houston Texans OL Tytus Howard about the Texans drafting him in the first-round out of an HBCU (Alabama State). Houston extended Howard’s contract before training camp started. #Sarge @TheTexansWire @tyhoward71 pic.twitter.com/l5XXpuuCKm
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) July 28, 2023
Howard knows that his new contract will help him care for his family, including his wife and two kids, for generations to come.
It will also be instrumental in giving back to the one person responsible for getting him to this level by constantly encouraging him to keep pushing despite the odds, his mother, Teresa Rivers. She contacted former Alabama State coach Reggie Barlow, looking for an opportunity for Howard.
He was invited to walk on and made the best of it by earning a full scholarship before the end of his freshman year. Howard was a three-year starter and captain during the rest of his time at Alabama State, transitioning from a tight end to an offensive lineman.
“It means a lot,” said Howard when asked about his new contract securing financial stability for his family. “I got to college, and I was 225 pounds. I was a quarterback, moved to tight end. Moved from tight end to offensive line, played offensive line for two and a half years, kind of was safe and then when I got to the NFL, I was moving around.”
“So, I have been doing this my whole career, and I just always learn to adjust. So, to have my family back me up and stay with me through every time I’ve went through in college to the NFL, to be here today to sign a contract and be able to take care of my family, create generational wealth, it means everything to me. Because where I come from, everybody doesn’t have a lot, so to be able to be that one to start it off, it feels good.”
Never one to forget where he comes from, Howard frequently visits his alma mater in Alabama to give back to the institution that helped him get to where he is today. He was honored last season with an eight-foot-high mural of him in his Texans uniform inside the Houston Markham, Jr. Football Complex. The NFLPA also recognized Howard for his contributions at Alabama State and Houston as the 2023 Black College Football Pro Player of the Year.
“It’s been a long journey,” Howard said to the media after practice on Friday. “All I wanted was a chance when I got here, and they gave it to me. The Texans gave me a chance, and I just ran with it, so as a personal feeling, I’m just grateful because everybody in my position doesn’t get a chance to show themselves like I did.
“So, for me to go out and take advantage of it, I [hope] it’s an inspiration to the younger guys who are coming behind me from HBCUs to go out there and know that they can achieve everything they need to do. All they need to do is put their head down and work for real.”
“Where I come from, everybody doesn’t have a lot, so to be the one to start it off, it feels good,” said Texans OL Tytus Howard about helping create generational wealth for his family after signing a $56 million contract extension. #Texans #Sarge @TheTexansWire @tyhoward71 pic.twitter.com/zRILKysw97
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) July 29, 2023
