There were more than 100 Hall of Famers in Canton last weekend, but it was one of the enshrinees who was not there who garnered a great deal of attention.
Chuck Howley, the 87-year-old former Cowboys linebacker who waited several decades after retirement to be voted into the Hall as a Senior candidate, missed the weekend’s festivities. Howley, who lives in Dallas, was unable to make the trip to Ohio since he is one of many American octogenarians suffering from dementia.
Pro Football Hall of Famer Bob Lilly was proud to present his former teammate for induction and help unveil his bust during the Canton ceremonies.
“Chuck was one of those players who always knew where the ball was going to go,” Lilly said. “If it was a pass, he was there. If it was a run, he would be there. He saved a lot of touchdowns because he was so fast. Chuck never bragged about himself, but he did not have bad games. He always would overcome.”
Howley was drafted by the Bears and played two seasons in Chicago until an injury seemingly ended his career. Scott Howley, who represented his father in Canton, spoke of his dad’s injury and the Cowboys’ eagerness to resurrect his career.
“Dad worried that his career was over after Chicago due to a knee injury,” Scott Howley told the Canton crowd. “But his belief and potential allowed him to make a remarkable comeback. The Cowboys’ willingness to take a chance on him enabled Dad to reach new heights and fully realize his talent. Coach (Tom) Landry once remarked, ‘I don’t know that I’ve seen anybody better at linebacker than Howley’.”
Howley was such a defensive force on the field that he also is the answer to the popular sports trivia question: Who was the only player on the losing team to be named Super Bowl MVP? Chuck Howley was that player and the game was Super Bowl V, a Cowboys’ last-minute 16-13 loss to the Colts.
The West Virginia native was a six-time Pro Bowler during his Cowboys career and was inducted into the team’s exclusive Ring of Honor in 2018. After a lengthy 45-year wait, Howley now finally takes his rightful place alongside other outstanding Cowboys alumni such as Roger Staubach, Tom Landry, Randy White, Mel Renfro and Rayfield Wright as Pro Football Hall of Famers!
We at NFL Alumni are pleased that Chuck Howley’s outstanding play on the field at last was recognized by the Hall.
