“As a kid, I never thought I’d experience so many emotions”
Todd Howard has done almost everything. The 55-year-old played and coached in the NFL, coached in the CFL, won a Grey Cup and a Super Bowl ring. Without a doubt, the Bryan, TX native is a happy man.
Howard has been the Alouettes’ Defensive Line Coach since 2018 and loves it in Montreal; He enjoys the Quebec culture, the good restaurants, the Old Port. Todd feels right at home when he walks around the city. It was with the Barcelona Dragons in 1992 that Howard first set foot in this city. For the occasion, The Dragons were going head to head with the Montreal Machine in the World League of American Football. “We played in front of over 60,000 people at the Olympic Stadium, I had never experienced such an incredible atmosphere during a game,” Howard recalls.
As we approach the infamous championship game taking place this coming Sunday, he accepted to go back down memory lane and discuss his Super Bowl win with the St. Louis Rams in 2000 against the Tennessee Titans. At that time, he was the Rams’ Defensive Assistant Coach.
“The most surprising thing about our win was that the year before our championship we finished with a record of 4-12. To be honest, we started the year with a goal of playing for .500. Like in a movie, we ended the season with a 13-3 record. The Rams organization did it right, they got several good players in trades and we got lucky with our free agent signings,” says Howard.
That year, the starting quarterback Trent Green was injured during a preseason game and a certain Kurt Warner stepped up. “He came out of nowhere, he played so well.” Warner finished the year with 4,353 passing yards and 43 touchdowns, finishing second in the league in both categories. He went on to be named Super Bowl MVP. “He completed a 73-yard pass to Isaac Bruce in the last minute of the game. I still have goosebumps,” says Howard.
During the parade in the streets of St. Louis, more than 100,000 fans came to celebrate with the players. “I still remember it; we were in big trucks and the fans were cheering in front of us, it was a very emotional moment,” recalls Howard.
After two seasons playing in the NFL with Kansas City, Howard made his coaching debut with the UCLA Bruins. He then moved up the ranks to coach in the NFL and the CFL. He won the Grey Cup with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2013. “Winning the Grey Cup or the Super Bowl is the same feeling. It’s our goal regardless of the league,” he adds.
Howard admits he was emotional when he received his ring from the Rams. “It was a very special day, your whole life you want to win championships, and when you succeed, you are satisfied, there are no words to explain it.” His only regret is that the Rams could not go to the White House to meet President Bill Clinton, who got caught up attempting to broker a peace agreement in the Middle East.
Now, looking back, Howard can hardly believe everything he’s been through. He’s had a career as a player and a coach in the NFL, is still coaching in the CFL, and has traveled to Europe and won numerous championships. “As a kid, I’d never thought I’d experience so many emotions. I consider myself very privileged.”
