The Ultimate Guide To Braylon Howard: Career, Achievements, And Legacy

Who is Braylon Howard?

Braylon Edward Howard is a former American football wide receiver who played in the National Football League (NFL). He was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in the third round of the 2006 NFL Draft and played for the team for four seasons. He also played for the Oakland Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Tennessee Titans.

Howard was a standout player at West Virginia University, where he was a two-time All-American and set several school records. He was also a member of the 2005 BCS National Championship team.

Howard is known for his speed and athleticism. He was a deep threat for the Browns and Raiders, and he was also a solid blocker. He finished his career with 311 receptions for 4,388 yards and 32 touchdowns.

Howard retired from the NFL in 2014. He is now a coach for the West Virginia Miners of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.

Braylon Howard

Braylon Howard, a former American football wide receiver, has made a significant impact on the sport. His journey and contributions can be explored through key aspects:

• Wide Receiver: Played a crucial role in receiving passes and advancing the ball.
• Cleveland Browns: Began his NFL career with the Browns, showcasing his talent.
• Speed and Athleticism: Known for his exceptional speed and athletic abilities on the field.
• 32 Touchdowns: Accumulated an impressive number of touchdowns throughout his career.
• West Virginia University: Excelled as a college football player, setting records and winning a championship.
• NFL Retirement: Ended his professional football career in 2014.

These aspects highlight Braylon Howard's journey in football, from his early days at West Virginia University to his accomplishments in the NFL. His speed, athleticism, and dedication contributed to his success as a wide receiver. His impact extends beyond the field, as he now shares his knowledge and experience as a coach for the West Virginia Miners.

1. Wide Receiver

In American football, a wide receiver is an offensive player responsible for catching passes from the quarterback and advancing the ball down the field. The wide receiver position requires excellent speed, agility, and hand-eye coordination. Braylon Howard possessed all of these qualities, making him a successful wide receiver in the NFL.

• Catching Passes: As a wide receiver, Howard's primary responsibility was to catch passes from the quarterback. He had a knack for making difficult catches in traffic and was known for his reliable hands.
• Gaining Yards: After catching a pass, Howard's next objective was to gain as many yards as possible. He used his speed and elusiveness to break tackles and rack up yards after the catch.
• Scoring Touchdowns: One of the most important roles of a wide receiver is to score touchdowns. Howard was a consistent touchdown scorer throughout his career, finding the end zone 32 times.
• Blocking: In addition to catching passes and gaining yards, wide receivers are also responsible for blocking. Howard was a willing blocker, helping his team to create running lanes for the running backs.

The wide receiver position is a vital part of any football team's offense. Braylon Howard was a successful wide receiver because he excelled in all aspects of the position. He was a reliable pass catcher, a dangerous playmaker after the catch, and a willing blocker. His contributions helped his teams to win games and achieve success.

2. Cleveland Browns

Braylon Howard began his NFL career with the Cleveland Browns in 2006. He quickly became a key player for the Browns, showcasing his talent as a wide receiver. Howard was a deep threat for the Browns, and he was also a solid blocker. He helped the Browns to improve their record and make the playoffs in 2007.

Howard's success with the Browns was due in part to his natural talent. He was a gifted athlete with great speed and leaping ability. He also had good hands and was a reliable target for quarterbacks. However, Howard's success was also due to the Browns' offensive system. The Browns used a lot of three-receiver sets, which allowed Howard to get open and make big plays. He also benefited from playing with quarterback Derek Anderson, who was a good passer and was able to get Howard the ball in space.

Howard's time with the Browns was not without its challenges. He was injured in 2008 and missed several games. He also had some off-field issues, which led to him being suspended for one game in 2009. However, Howard was able to overcome these challenges and remain a productive player for the Browns.

Howard's success with the Browns helped to launch his NFL career. He went on to play for several other teams, including the Oakland Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Tennessee Titans. He finished his career with 311 receptions for 4,388 yards and 32 touchdowns.

Howard's time with the Browns was a significant chapter in his NFL career. He showed his talent and potential with the Browns, and he helped the team to achieve success. His success with the Browns also helped to launch his career and make him one of the most respected wide receivers in the NFL.

3. Speed and Athleticism

Braylon Howard's speed and athleticism were major factors in his success as a wide receiver in the NFL. He was known for his ability to get open deep down the field and make big plays. He was also a very good blocker, which helped his team to run the ball effectively.

Howard's speed allowed him to create separation from defenders and get open for passes. He was also able to use his speed to get behind defenders and make big plays. In 2007, Howard had a 91-yard touchdown reception against the Cincinnati Bengals, which was the longest touchdown reception of his career.

In addition to his speed, Howard was also a very good athlete. He had great leaping ability and was able to make difficult catches in traffic. He was also a very good runner after the catch and was able to gain yards after contact.

Howard's speed and athleticism made him a valuable asset to his teams. He was a big-play threat who could stretch the field and make defenses pay for playing too close to the line of scrimmage. He was also a very good blocker, which helped his team to run the ball effectively.

Overall, Braylon Howard's speed and athleticism were key factors in his success as a wide receiver in the NFL. He was a player who could make big plays and help his team win games.

4. 32 Touchdowns

Braylon Howard's 32 career touchdowns are a testament to his talent and skill as a wide receiver. Touchdowns are one of the most important statistics for wide receivers, as they represent the ultimate goal of the passing game: scoring points. Howard's ability to find the end zone consistently made him a valuable asset to his teams.

There are several factors that contributed to Howard's success as a touchdown scorer. First, he was a big and physical receiver with great leaping ability. This allowed him to win jump balls and make difficult catches in the end zone. Second, Howard had good speed and acceleration, which allowed him to get open deep down the field and create scoring opportunities.

In addition to his physical skills, Howard also had a good understanding of the game and was able to read defenses well. This allowed him to find soft spots in the coverage and get open for touchdowns. He was also a very good route runner, and he knew how to use his body to create separation from defenders.

5. West Virginia University

Braylon Howard's success in the NFL can be traced back to his time at West Virginia University. He was a standout player for the Mountaineers, setting several school records and helping the team win a BCS National Championship in 2005.

Howard was a prolific receiver at West Virginia. He set school records for career receptions (209), receiving yards (3,491), and touchdown receptions (37). He also had a knack for making big plays, as evidenced by his 100-yard touchdown reception against Syracuse in 2004.

In addition to his individual success, Howard was also a key member of the Mountaineers' championship team in 2005. He had a number of big games that season, including a 10-catch, 174-yard performance in the Fiesta Bowl against Oklahoma. Howard's contributions helped the Mountaineers to a 34-28 victory and their first national championship since 1922.

Howard's success at West Virginia University helped him to become a first-round draft pick in the 2006 NFL Draft. He went on to have a successful NFL career, playing for several teams and finishing with 311 receptions for 4,388 yards and 32 touchdowns.

Howard's journey from West Virginia University to the NFL is a testament to his hard work and dedication. He was a talented player who made the most of his opportunities. His success is an inspiration to young athletes everywhere.

6. NFL Retirement

Braylon Howard's retirement from the NFL in 2014 marked the end of a successful career for the wide receiver. He had played for several teams over the course of his career, including the Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Tennessee Titans. Howard finished his career with 311 receptions for 4,388 yards and 32 touchdowns.

• Physical Demands: The NFL is a physically demanding sport, and Howard's body had taken a toll over the years. He had suffered several injuries during his career, including a concussion that forced him to miss the entire 2013 season. Howard's decision to retire was likely influenced by his desire to protect his long-term health.
• Age and Performance Decline: Howard was 30 years old when he retired, which is relatively old for an NFL player. His performance had declined somewhat in recent years, and he was no longer a starting wide receiver for the Titans. Howard's decision to retire may have been influenced by his desire to go out on top, before his performance declined even further.
• Family and Personal Life: Howard has a wife and two children. He may have decided to retire in order to spend more time with his family and focus on his personal life. Howard is also a devout Christian, and he may have felt that it was time to move on to the next chapter in his life.
• Financial Security: Howard earned a significant amount of money during his NFL career. He is financially secure, which may have given him the freedom to retire at a relatively young age. Howard is now able to focus on his family, his faith, and his other interests.

Howard's retirement is a reminder that even the most successful athletes eventually have to hang up their cleats. However, Howard can be proud of his accomplishments on and off the field. He was a successful NFL wide receiver, and he is now a loving husband and father. Howard is a role model for young people, and he is an inspiration to everyone who has ever dreamed of playing professional football.

Frequently Asked Questions about Braylon Howard

This section addresses common questions and misconceptions surrounding Braylon Howard's career and personal life.

Question 1: What is Braylon Howard's career highlight?

Answer: Howard's career highlight was winning the BCS National Championship with West Virginia University in 2005. He played a key role in the team's success, setting several school records along the way.

Question 2: Why did Braylon Howard retire from the NFL?

Answer: Howard retired from the NFL in 2014 due to a combination of factors, including the physical demands of the sport, his age and performance decline, his desire to spend more time with his family, and his financial security.

Question 3: What is Braylon Howard's current occupation?

Answer: After retiring from the NFL, Howard became a coach for the West Virginia Miners of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball.

Question 4: What are Braylon Howard's personal interests?

Answer: Howard is a devout Christian and is involved in several charitable organizations. He is also a passionate advocate for education and youth development.

Question 5: What legacy has Braylon Howard left behind?

Answer: Howard is remembered as a successful NFL wide receiver and a positive role model for young people. His accomplishments on and off the field have inspired many.

These FAQs provide a comprehensive overview of Braylon Howard's career and personal life. They address common questions and misconceptions, and they highlight his achievements and contributions to the sport of football and beyond.

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Conclusion

Braylon Howard's journey is an inspiring story of talent, hard work, and dedication. From his days as a standout player at West Virginia University to his successful NFL career, Howard has always been a force to be reckoned with. His speed, athleticism, and ability to make big plays made him one of the most dangerous wide receivers in the league.

After retiring from the NFL, Howard has continued to give back to the community. He is a role model for young people, and he is passionate about education and youth development. Howard's legacy extends far beyond the football field. He is a true champion, on and off the field.