'I'll Cherish It!' Texans' Tytus Howard Wins Black College Player of the Year
While a lot of the spotlight has focused on the Houston Texans' newest members ahead of this season, they don't tell the entire story of the team.
Yes, C.J. Stroud will likely have a big year in his rookie season, as will Will Anderson Jr. Incoming veterans like Robert Woods and Devin Singletary will make up a good amount of the storylines throughout the Texans' quest to become an AFC contender once again, but some of Houston's current players have already done more than enough to help both themselves and their team be successful.
Four-year veteran offensive lineman Tytus Howard is one of them.
As the Texans continue to negotiate with the offensive lineman regarding a potential contract extension, Howard was named the NFLPA's Black College Football Pro Player of the Year, recognizing his achievements both on and off the field.
Recipients of the award are based on a couple of main criteria. The NFLPA seeks out players at the pro level that came from a Historically Black College and University who made a positive impact in their community, as well as for their teammates throughout the season.
Howard attended Alabama State University, where he spent three seasons before declaring for the NFL Draft, and despite being a long-time Atlanta Falcons fan, the lineman put on a Texans cap and was ready to get to work.
He made his mark right away, earning All-Rookie honors and cementing his spot on the line for years to come, but for Howard, it was much more than that.
Growing up, he didn't have the opportunity to go see an NFL game, despite being extremely interested in the possibility of himself playing in one down the road.
But where he missed out, he wanted to make sure that others didn't. Howard funded the visits of local youth from the Houston Texans YMCA last season, allowing many of them to experience an NFL game for the first time.
“I want[ed] to give those kids something to look forward to," Howard said. "To give them some momentum to work hard, give them goals to look up to [and] someone to look up to. It’s really good [I] was able to do that. I feel good about doing it and I’m just grateful to be in the position I’m in to give back to those kids.”
His community involvement was a big reason he earned the NFLPA's annual distinction, but after having the productive year he had in his fourth season, the choice became even easier.
Last season, Howard — playing right tackle a majority of the time — allowed just three sacks and five quarterback hits, and will now look to continue to grow and decrease that number for Stroud next year.
The veteran has made clear that he wants to remain in Houston for the duration of his career, so as the Texans continue to find agreeable terms for a potential extension, they'll have one more reason to keep him around for years to come.
Especially because winning the Black College Football Pro Player of the Year will only fuel Howard's growth.
"To receive an honor like this is something I will always cherish,” Howard said. “Black colleges have played a large role in producing some great NFL players while providing an example of success for people of color like myself. I’d like to thank the NFLPA for creating this award to uplift HBCUs, and I’m grateful for everyone who has helped me along the way.”
Howard will be recognized during the 14th annual Black College Football Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Saturday, and will become the sixth NFL athlete to win the award since its 2018 inception.
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