Howard Extends Playing Days with OKC Yard Dawgz

July 21, 2006

OKLAHOMA CITY – One former Southwestern Oklahoma State University football player is working on the chance that many of his Bulldog teammates would most certainly love to have.

Danny Howard, a record-setting wide receiver for SWOSU who concluded his Bulldog career in 2005, has signed to play professional football with the Oklahoma City Yard Dawgz Arena 2 Football League. Howard, 22, was a late-season addition to the club’s roster when injuries and other league-related transactions left the playoff hopefuls looking for a big-play receiver.

“We had Danny in camp prior to the season’s start. We knew what type of ability he has,” Chad Davis, offensive coordinator, said. “He’s got a chance to help us. Right now it’s just about him learning the game, our system and picking up what we’re trying to do on the field.”

For now Howard is simply trying to cram a season worth of plays, routes and diagrams into his football memory. His time is limited as the team’s regular season ends Saturday, July 29.

“There is a lot to learn.  I’m still trying to grasp what all the plays are,” Howard said. “I know I can do this. Hopefully, I’ll get a chance to show it on the playing field.”

Howard has been with the team for less than a month and participates in three evening practices a week. He makes $100 a week for his efforts but has not yet been listed on the active roster. His professional teammates bring home slightly more with paychecks that range from $200 to $250 a week, depending on the game outcome.

Right now he juggles his new responsibilities with that of his full time job as a sales associate for the Finish Line, an athletic footwear, apparel and accessories store in Quail Springs Mall.

Howard, a graduate of Oklahoma City’s John Marshall High School ended his career at SWOSU as the school’s second-leading all-time receiver with 116 catches for 1,939 yards and eight touchdowns. He was a first-team all-conference pick and set school records by catching the most passes in a season (50), game (12) and yards in a game (248).

He is a semester shy of completing the necessary coursework for a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology at SWOSU, said he plans to return to the Weatherford campus in August. While there, he will continue his classes and re-join the Bulldog football team in a non-playing role as a student assistant coach.

“I know just playing Arena Football will not pay the bills.” Howard said. “I may be washing uniforms or rolling up cable, but it’s a chance to stay active and involved in the sport. Come December, I’ll have a degree. And I’ll have a few more lines on my resume.”