Howard relives memories of LBSU football

By Eric Boyum, On-Line Forty-Niner

Tuesday, October 6, 1998

From sunshine and palm trees to blizzards and zero-degree temperatures. That was the course former Long Beach State football player David Howard took to the National Football League.

Howard's college football career will be recognized on Oct. 14 when he is inducted into the Long Beach State Hall of Fame.

The former 49er linebacker's story begins at Long Beach Poly High where he played football for one of the most traditional prep programs in the country from 1976-79. His defensive play for the Jackrabbits created interest from various colleges in the Western United States.

"I was recruited by UCLA, Oregon State, Wyoming and the University of Houston," Howard said.

Like most athletes in high school, Howard wanted to play big time Division I football. When UCLA stopped recruiting him, he decided to move away from home for his first time to attend Oregon State his freshman year.

"I went to Oregon State to get back at UCLA and play in the PAC 10," Howard said. "The program was not what I really thought it would be."

After starting as linebacker one year for the Beavers, Howard decided to transfer to The Beach to play football for head coach Dave Currey.

Howard's return to the Long Beach community helped his development, not only as a football player, but as a person.

"Coming back to Long Beach really helped me mentally and personally because I got a chance to be close to my family," Howard said.

With additional support from coaches, trainers and the friends he had made during his childhood, Howard flourished at The Beach from 1981-83.

"I was a three-time Pacific Coast Athletic Association All-Conference member," Howard said. "I was also an All-American honorable mention three times."

In 1984, Howard was drafted by the Los Angeles Express of the now defunct United States Football League and the Minnesota Vikings of the NFL.

He played two seasons in the USFL before it folded in 1986, and then signed with the Vikings.

With the Vikings, Howard found a new way of life in Minnesota. He bought his first house in Minneapolis - a home he still owns today.

New to him, were snow and freezing temperatures. Howard's youthfulness and willingness to learn fit perfectly into the Vikings line backing scheme, designed by Defensive Coordinator Floyd Peters.

"My fondest memory was going to and beating San Francisco by knocking Joe Montana out of the game to get to the NFC championship game in 1987," he said.

Two years later, the business side of the NFL caught up with Howard. He, along with four players and five future draft picks, was traded from the Vikings to the Dallas Cowboys in exchange for running back Hershel Walker.

Two years later, when the Cowboys were on the way to their first of two Super Bowl championships, Howard was traded again. This time, he was traded to the New England Patriots in exchange for Russell Maryland.

"The experience in the NFL was different. It was strictly a business," Howard said.

Today, Howard is retired from football. He and his family run a restaurant called David Howard's Seafood Cafe in Minneapolis. He has found peace in life away from football, but still remains active in the Minneapolis community by catering meals to the Vikings and Minnesota Timberwolves of the NBA.

"I love it here. I'm never leaving. Living in Minnesota is like living in Europe," Howard said.

Howard returns to California a couple of times a year to visit his mother and siblings.

"I love my beaches and I love my people back there in Long Beach," Howard said. "The things that I learned there I still live by."