Hall of Fame
Gene Howard attended Langston University from 1965-1968 and was a member of the football and track and field teams during his time there. As a member of the football team, he was a four-year letterman in football and All-Conference selection for four straight years and was a nominated for NAIA All-American. He was drafted in the seventh round of the NFL draft to the New Orleans Saints and received the Saints rookie of the year award. He played defensive back for the Saints from 1968-1970 before being traded to the Los Angeles Rams in 1971 and played professionally in the World Football League. Â
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As a member of the track and field team, Howard achieved All-Conference status for four straight years and during his time at Langston set the high jump record.Â
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In his professional career he served for 34 years at the Pacific Life Insurance Company in Newport Beach, Calif. where he retired in 2012 as the Assistant Vice-President of Human Resources. He is served on the board of directors for various youth and civic organizations, head coach for Pop Warner and Junior All-American football leagues where he won the Costa Mesa Bowl Championship. He is also a member of the Free and Accepted Masons Trinity Lodge 33, Little Rock, Ark. and received an honorable discharge from the United State Army in 1975.Â
