Thomas Howard Sr.
Thomas James Howard Sr. is an American former professional football player who was a linebacker for nine seasons in the National Football League. He played college football for the Texas Tech Red Raiders.
His son, Thomas Howard, played in the NFL as a linebacker for the Oakland Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals and Atlanta Falcons. The elder Howard wore the jersey number #52 for the Kansas City Chiefs and #59 for the St. Louis Cardinals. He returned 3 fumble recoveries for touchdowns: one in 1980 against the Denver Broncos, one in 1981 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and one in 1984 against the New England Patriots.