Thomas "Scoop" Howard (1974) - Southern Miss M-Club Hall of Fame

Thomas "Scoop" Howard

Induction:
1974

In the great tradition of lineman at Southern Miss over the years few have competed on the field like Thomas (Scoop) Howard. As a two way tackle for Coach Reed Green from 1937 to 1939, Howard was one of the team’s most consistent performers and provided a solid blocker that allowed the team to run the football as effectively as anyone that they would play.
   Howard was bigger than most tackles of his era standing 6-2 and weighing almost 210 pounds. But he still had surprising speed and quickness that he was able to use effectively to beat his defender.
   Although grades for linemen and statistics for the guys up front weren’t kept back in the 1930s, if you ask the players who played with and against Howard they will tell you it was rare for him to make a blocking mistake while playing in the offensive line. On the occasions where he might have made a miscue, you could rely on the fact that he would come back and take it out on the opposition on the very next play.
   Howard had a quiet confidence about him that allowed him to go about his duties and get the job done. He wasn’t boastful or cocky, he just believed in himself and in his abilities, and knew what he was capable of.
   He was also an intelligent player, who had quite a feel for the game. He was an instinctive player, who just seemed to know where to go and when to go there.
   Coming to Southern Miss from Albertville, Alabama, Howard would spend the early part of his career as a valuable reserve on both the offensive and defensive lines, before earning himself a spot in the starting lineup and making great contributions.
   The 1937 team that he was a part of was Green’s first team, and the squad played well all season long on its way to a 7-3 mark. It was a sensational defensive club, maybe one of the best in school history, recording seven shutouts in 10 games, and allowing only 24 points all season.
   The 1938 club with Howard now earning starting assignments went 7-2 and again was one of the finest defensive squads in school history. While the offense provided much better firepower than the year before, the defense added six more shutouts and allowed only 26 points.
   Howard would become a full fledged starter in 1939 as the team finished 4-2-3. Although the offense sputtered at times, the defense was stingy for a third straight season, this time with three shutouts and just 67 points allowed.
   As a two way tackle, there were few that matched his talent and desire and his contributions to the rich football tradition at Southern Miss are numerous. Howard is certainly deserving of his recognition as one of the school’s finest linemen.