Jayden Reed is the newest member of the Packers' revamped wide receiver corps. Reed finds himself in his new home of Green Bay, under the direction of head coach Matt LaFleur, hoping he can make an instant connection with new starting QB Jordan Love.
If you're wondering what the Packers saw in Reed to make him just their second second-round WR drafted in the last nine years, this is it:
Jayden was born on April 28, 2000, in Chicago. Reed started his high school career at Metea Valley High School with future Michigan State teammate quarterback Payton Thorne. As a junior, Reed had 23 catches for 403 yards and four touchdowns.
He transferred to Naperville Central High School in his senior season and earned All-Conference honors after finishing high school with 60 receptions for 1,792 yards and 20 touchdowns.
Reed started his college career at Western Michigan in 2018. The Football Writers Association of America named him Freshman All-American after catching 56 passes for 797 yards and eight touchdowns in 13 games played for the Broncos.
Reed transferred to Michigan State before the 2019 season. As a member of the Spartans, Reed blossomed into a dynamic playmaker both as a receiver and punt returner.
He totaled 147 receptions for 2,069 yards and 18 touchdowns as a receiver. Reed had 26 punt returns, averaging 14.1 yards, and two touchdowns as a punt returner. Reed earned Second-Team All-Big Ten honors in back-to-back seasons (2021 and 2022.)
His standout performances at the Senior Bowl Combine and NFL Scouting Combine likely played into why Green Bay took him in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft.
Before the draft, this is what NFL Draft Analyst Lance Zierlein said about Reed:
"Utility wideout with the ability to take snaps at multiple receiver positions while offering both kickoff and punt return talent," Zierlein said. "Reed looks smaller in many of his matchups, but he is rarely deterred by size. He's too tight-hipped for stop-start routes on the tree, but he operates with good route speed and should improve his ability to separate with additional development and experience on the next level. His ball skills and feel for positioning on deep throws and jump balls are unquestioned. Limiting his focus drops on short and intermediate throws will be critical to becoming a long-term NFL contributor."
Call Mayfield Sports Marketing (MSM) at 262-366-8188 to schedule former or current Packers for your corporate appearance or product promotion. As a result, MSM will work on your behalf to get you the best price for your desired event, autograph session or social media campaign with former or current Packers players.
MSM has certainly earned a reputation of being the one to call for booking top athletes for events and shows. To learn more about Packers players' appearance costs and booking fees, please call us today.
Mayfield Sports Marketing is not affiliated with the Green Bay Packers or any other professional sports organization. Mayfield Sports Marketing (MSM) therefore acts as an athlete broker for corporate functions, private events, and speaking engagements. MSM subsequently doesn't claim or represent itself as any player’s agent, speakers bureau, manager, publicist, assistant, PR firm, or management company. MSM is a marketing and booking agency representing organizations seeking to hire speakers, athletes, celebrities, and entertainment for corporate events, endorsements, athlete appearances, spokesperson campaigns, and speaking events.
The Green Bay Packers have signed quarterback Jordan Love to a one-year contract extension through 2024.
Love spent three seasons backing up Aaron Rodgers before being ushered into the starting role heading into the 2023 season. Love has appeared in 10 games with one start so far in his career since being selected in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft out of Utah State.
He played in four games last season, going 14 of 21 with a 66.7 completion percentage. That was good for 195 yards, one TD, and a passer rating of 112.2. The highlight of Love’s 2022 season was a 63-yard TD pass to Christian Watson on Nov. 27 against the Philadelphia Eagles.
Heading into the 2023 season, the Packers have a lot of confidence in Love. Matt Lafleur spoke to Packers.com writer Mike Spafford about his confidence in Love.
“He definitely understands that he’s the guy in charge, he’s going to be the guy in the huddle and he’s got to be an extension of us, and we’re excited for him.” LaFleur said. “We’ve got a lot of confidence in him.”
Former Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers spoke highly of Love while he was on the Pat McAfee show on March 15:
“Jordan Love is going to be a great player, he’s a great kid, they got a good young team,” Rodgers said.
Athletes First represent Jordan Love. Mayfield Sports Marketing is happy to work with your group if you seek any marketing or athlete appearances or wish for Love to be a company brand ambassador.
MSM is proud to partner with Athletes First to book Jordan Love. Call Mayfield Sports Marketing (MSM) at 262-366-8188 to schedule Jordan Love for your corporate appearance or product promotion. As a result, MSM will work on your behalf to get you the best price for your desired event, autograph session or social media campaign with Packers Love.
MSM has certainly earned a reputation of being the one to call for booking top athletes for events and shows. To learn more about Jordan Love's appearance cost and booking fee, please call us today.
Mayfield Sports Marketing is not affiliated with the Green Bay Packers or any other professional sports organization. Mayfield Sports Marketing (MSM) therefore acts as an athlete broker for corporate functions, private events, and speaking engagements. MSM subsequently doesn't claim or represent itself as any player’s agent, speakers bureau, manager, publicist, assistant, PR firm, or management company. MSM is a marketing and booking agency representing organizations seeking to hire speakers, athletes, celebrities, and entertainment for corporate events, endorsements, athlete appearances, spokesperson campaigns, and speaking events.
The 2022 season was off to a great start for Rashan Gary. The Michigan product totaled six sacks, 32 combined tackles, and seven tackles for loss through the season's first nine games.
Unfortunately, his season would come to an end in Week 9 when he suffered an ACL tear against the Detroit Lions. Gary was on pace to set a career-high in sacks, pressures, tackles and quarterback hits.
The Packers have already exercised Gary's fifth-year option, so he is locked in to be a Packer this year. 2023 will be the most important year of his career. He is playing not only for a new contract but also to prove he remains one of the top outside linebackers in the league.
Rashan Gary was establishing himself as one of the best pass rushers in the NFL before his injury. He came into the league sitting behind Za'Darius Smith and Preston Smith. Now he is the Packers' best pass rusher. Gary's offseasons are always filled with individual work and a constant dedication to getting better, but now he has also been rehabbing an injury.
Despite not being a starter in his first two seasons, Gary has become integral to the Packers' defense. The Packers relied heavily on Gary to pressure opposing offenses. When he went down, they struggled in that area.
The market value for Rashan Gary is projected to be a 4-year/$104-million contract with an average of $26 million a year. This would make him the fourth highest-paid outside linebacker in the NFL. The former 12th-overall pick has already proved his value to the franchise, and the team will likely extend the 26-year-old pass rusher.
Gary's dedication and mindset to improving each offseason will surely allow him to return to dominance in 2023. Gary has already been posting on social media about his eagerness to return better than ever.
Call Mayfield Sports Marketing (MSM) at 262-366-8188 to schedule Rashan Gary for your corporate appearance or product promotion. As a result, MSM will work on your behalf to get you the best price for your desired event, autograph session or social media campaign with Gary.
MSM has certainly earned a reputation of being the one to call for booking top athletes for events and shows. To learn more about Rashan Gary's appearance cost and booking fee, please call us today.
Mayfield Sports Marketing is not affiliated with the Green Bay Packers or any other professional sports organization. Mayfield Sports Marketing (MSM) therefore acts as an athlete broker for corporate functions, private events, and speaking engagements. MSM doesn't claim or represent itself as any player’s agent, speakers bureau, manager, publicist, assistant, PR firm, or management company. MSM is a marketing and booking agency representing organizations seeking to hire speakers, athletes, celebrities, and entertainment for corporate events, endorsements, athlete appearances, spokesperson campaigns, and speaking events.
The Green Bay Packers signed Rasul Douglas on Oct. 7, 2021, from the Arizona Cardinals practice squad. On Oct. 28, he had a game-sealing interception in the end zone against the Cardinals, his former team. Since then, Douglas has become a fan favorite and signed a long-term deal to stay in Green Bay.
In 2022, Rasul Douglas became one of the most important pieces on the defense and established himself as a premiere cornerback.
The Packers have yet to sign Adrian Amos, so they may lose a secondary staple. The safety position might be a hole on the roster, but there were conversations about moving Rasul Douglas to fill the role.
Douglas has the physical tools to play safety. He is a good tackler with lots of range and, most importantly, has great hands and anticipation.
However, head coach Matt LaFluer Douglas confirmed that Rasul Douglas would start on the outside to begin the season.
LaFleur says Darnell Savage will start out at safety and Rasul Douglas at outside corner. Keisean Nixon will get every opportunity to win the nickel job.
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) March 28, 2023
Rasul Douglas' position won't change the impact he can have on the field. Not only does Douglas come away with plenty of interceptions, they often come in clutch time. Since joining the Packers, he has nine interceptions and two touchdowns. LaFleur already confirmed that Douglas will start the year at outside corner, but Brian Gutekunst is confident that Douglas could transition to safety easily if the team wants:
"(Douglas) has such good eyes and instincts when he's back there and seeing the whole field," Gutekunst said. "Anytime you move a guy inside, whether it's the nickel or the safety, and you have both sides you really have to worry about, there's a curve there that's going to take some time to really understand that. But his skill set as far as his eyes, his ability to go get the ball, his angles, his instincts and he's a pretty good tackler, too, he could make that transition if that's what we decided to do."
Rasul Douglas is everything a team wants in a corner. He's physical, tough, clutch and so much more. The coaching staff already knows he has the skill set to play safety if needed, but he can also play nickel. He actually played nickel to begin 2022 but moved back outside when Eric Stokes got hurt.
Last offseason, Douglas said he enjoyed the challenge of playing nickel:
Obviously, that was last offseason, but the team should be happy to know that Douglas is up for the task if he is needed there again. Whether it's at safety, outside corner or nickel, Rasul Douglas is going to have a big season.
Call Mayfield Sports Marketing (MSM) at 262-366-8188 to schedule Rasul Douglas for your corporate appearance or product promotion. As a result, MSM will work on your behalf to get you the best price for your desired event, autograph session or social media campaign with Douglas.
MSM has certainly earned a reputation of being the one to call for booking top athletes for events and shows. To learn more about Rasul Douglas' appearance cost and booking fee, please call us today.
Mayfield Sports Marketing is not affiliated with the Green Bay Packers or any other professional sports organization. Mayfield Sports Marketing (MSM) therefore acts as an athlete broker for corporate functions, private events, and speaking engagements. MSM doesn't claim or represent itself as any player’s agent, speakers bureau, manager, publicist, assistant, PR firm, or management company. MSM is a marketing and booking agency representing organizations seeking to hire speakers, athletes, celebrities, and entertainment for corporate events, endorsements, athlete appearances, spokesperson campaigns, and speaking events.
The Green Bay Packers and New York Jets finally got the deal done. After more than a month of negotiations, Aaron Rodgers will officially play in New York in 2023. The trade landed Green Bay a nice haul for the 2023 and 2024 NFL Drafts. According to Ian Rapoport with the NFL Network, the Jets and Packers have agreed to terms, leaving the Packers with a second-round pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and pick swap, moving Green Bay to No. 13 overall. The Jets will also send a conditional first-round pick to the Packers in 2024.
According to Tom Pelissero with the NFL Network, Rodgers will sign a revised contract with the Packers to help the team’s cap space. The deal will be finalized before the Draft. This is an excellent deal for the Packers. They are getting much-needed 2024 and 2023 NFL Draft picks for Rodgers and a deal on cap space. That’s precisely what the team needed. In total, this is what the trade looks like:
New York Jets Received:
Green Bay Packers Received:
Sep 3, 2022; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba (11) is tackled on a kick return by Notre Dame Fighting Irish cornerback TaRiq Bracy (28) during the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Cairns-USA TODAY Sports - Green Bay Packers
The Packers leapfrogged the New England Patriots, who pick at No. 14 overall. The Patriots have a big need at the wide receiver position and are a possible landing spot for Jaxon Smith-Njigba if he falls to them at 14. Smith-Njigba would fit seamlessly into the Green Bay Packers offense with Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs. According to Tony Pauline of ProFootballNetwork.com (via Twitter), the Packers are hoping their leap from No. 15 to No. 13 will make it “easier to secure” Ohio State wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba.
Despite playing alongside 2022 first-round picks Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, Smith-Njigba managed to haul in 95 receptions for 1,606 yards and nine touchdowns in 2021. Smith-Njigba expected to take another step in 2022 as the top receiver on the depth chart. However, he dealt with a lingering hamstring injury, limiting him to only three games and five catches. Coming into the 2023 NFL Draft, he figures to be the top wide receiver prospect in the draft and someone the Green Bay Packers would love to have.
Other possible targets for No. 13 overall could be tight ends Michael Mayer or Dalton Kincaid, who would give QB Jordan Love another safety valve. Or the Packers could trade back and target a different WR like Zay Flowers, Jordan Addison or Quetinin Johnston.
If the Packers use the pick a defensive player first in the 2023 NFL Draft, keep an eye on names like Georgia's Nolan Smith or Iowa's Lukas Van Ness, both of whom had extraordinary showings at the NFL Combine.
Call Mayfield Sports Marketing (MSM) at 262-366-8188 to schedule former or current Packers for your corporate appearance or product promotion. As a result, MSM will work on your behalf to get you the best price for your desired event, autograph session or social media campaign with former or current Packers players.
MSM has certainly earned a reputation of being the one to call for booking top athletes for events and shows. To learn more about Packers players' appearance costs and booking fees, please call us today.
Mayfield Sports Marketing is not affiliated with the Green Bay Packers or any other professional sports organization. Mayfield Sports Marketing (MSM) therefore acts as an athlete broker for corporate functions, private events, and speaking engagements. MSM subsequently doesn't claim or represent itself as any player’s agent, speakers bureau, manager, publicist, assistant, PR firm, or management company. MSM is a marketing and booking agency representing organizations seeking to hire speakers, athletes, celebrities, and entertainment for corporate events, endorsements, athlete appearances, spokesperson campaigns, and speaking events.
Jonathan "Rudy" Ford became an important player for the Packers in 2022. Ford was a sixth-round pick out of Auburn, and 2022 was Ford's first season in Green Bay. He spent the majority of his career on special teams, but in 2022 he played more defensive snaps than any other year in his career. His play on defense and special teams has earned him a new one-year contract worth up to $2.5 million.
Ford, like many, has not had an easy road to the NFL. He was born in Alabama, leading to his decision to play at Auburn. As a kid, he was given the nickname "Rudy" by his uncle after the character from the 1993 movie of the same name. Auburn initially recruited Ford as a running back, before he changed positions, finding himself on the defensive side of the ball.
After landing in Arizona, he spent two years there, primarily as a special team's ace. He would then go to the Eagles, where he was also primarily a special teamer. The Jaguars signed Ford to a two-year deal before releasing him in 2022.
His next stop would be Green Bay, where he finally got a chance on defense. The Packers' safety position dealt with some injuries, and the inconsistent play opened the door for Rudy Ford. Ford made six starts for the Packers in 2022, but his breakout game came at Lambeau Field against the Cowboys. The Packers needed to win to keep any hope of the playoffs alive, and Ford delivered two interceptions off of Dak Prescott. Ford showed he could be an impact player on defense, and his snap count kept increasing.
Ford will undoubtedly start 2023 with a different role than in 2022. The Packers have not made a decision on Adrian Amos but added Tarvarius Moore in free agency. Realistically this leaves the safety position in the hands of Moore, Darnell Savage, and Rudy Ford. In 2022, Ford ended the season with three interceptions, 44 tackles, one forced fumble and one fumble recovery.
There is a chance Ford sees the field as a starter in Week 1, even if the Packers add a safety in the NFL Draft. Ford will also likely have an impact on special teams again in 2023. Last season he played 108 snaps on special teams under Rich Bissacia. If Bissacia thinks Ford will better the special teams, then Ford could see a snap increase there too.
Mayfield Sports Marketing was pleased to work with Ford in his first season with the Packers, booking him to appear at various events. We look forward to continuing our relationship with Ford as his role in Green Bay expands.
The Green Bay Packers have not been too active in free agency. However, they prioritized bringing back one of their 2022 standouts; All-Pro kick returner and cornerback Keisean Nixon.
Nixon's new contract is a one-year/$4 million deal. The deal has four void years meaning that while he will be paid past 2023, he will be an unrestricted free agent in 2024. It has been a long time since Green Bay has had an electric kick returner, so if Nixon has another All-Pro caliber season, he may be brought back again on a more long-term basis.
2022 was Nixon's first season with the Green Bay Packers. He spent the last three seasons with the Raiders in both Oakland and Las Vegas. He played 692 snaps on special teams in three seasons with the Raiders. When Rich Bisaccia was hired as the special team coordinator Keisean Nixon signed with the Packers. Although he did not start the year off as the team's primary kick returner, he never looked back after getting the job.
Nixon became the full-time kick returner in Week 8 and made an instant impact. Despite not getting the job until halfway through the year, he finished the season with 1,009 kick return yards, leading the NFL. As a Packer, Nixon also made an impact on defense. Injuries in the secondary led to more playing time at cornerback, and Nixon filled in well. He started four games and recorded one interception, two passes defended, 28 tackles, and one tackle for a loss.
With news that team veterans Aaron Rodgers, Randall Cobb, and Allen Lazard could all be out the door and heading to New York, Green Bay is going through a transitioning period. Nixon will join the likes of RBs AJ Dillon and Aaron Jones, plus WR Christian Watson, as some of the only proven play-makers on the Packers.
With Bisaccia still running the special teams, it'll be in his and Nixon's hands to set up new Packers starting QB Jordan Love with good field position. Expect another difference-making big season from Keisean Nixon in Green Bay!
Call Mayfield Sports Marketing (MSM) at 262-366-8188 to schedule Keisean Nixon for your corporate appearance or product promotion. As a result, MSM will work on your behalf to get you the best price for your desired event, autograph session or social media campaign with Keisean Nixon.
MSM has certainly earned a reputation of being the one to call for booking top athletes for events and shows. To learn more about Keisean Nixon's appearance cost and booking fee, please call us today.
Mayfield Sports Marketing is not affiliated with the Green Bay Packers or any other professional sports organization. Mayfield Sports Marketing (MSM) therefore acts as an athlete broker for corporate functions, private events, and speaking engagements. MSM doesn't claim or represent itself as any player’s agent, speakers bureau, manager, publicist, assistant, PR firm, or management company. MSM is a marketing and booking agency representing organizations seeking to hire speakers, athletes, celebrities, and entertainment for corporate events, endorsements, athlete appearances, spokesperson campaigns, and speaking events.
The Green Bay Packers will have a lot of decisions to make this offseason. Aaron Rodgers will headline many of those decisions. However, there are multiple Packers free agents the team will need back to be successful in 2023. WR Allen Lazard, DB/KR Keisean Nixon, and S Rudy Ford are three of those players. Here is why the Green Bay Packers need to bring back all three for next season.
Allen Lazard is an ideal fit in Green Bay. His consistent ability to make plays on third down and in the red zone meshes perfectly with his willingness and ability as a do-it-all blocker in the run game. Over his first five seasons in the NFL, Lazard has recorded 169 receptions, 2,236 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns. While there is a ton of excitement for the future of Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs, Allen Lazard provides that veteran, reliable, do-it-all type of play that is hard to replace. Lazard will certainly be looking for a long-term deal with the next team he signs with, something the Packers certainly need to make a priority.
Would anyone even disagree with this one? Keisean Nixon almost single-handedly turned around the Packers' special teams. In a matter of weeks, he became an instant fan favorite. No player had more kick return yards than Nixon this year – he had 1,009. Nixon ranked second in kick return average, averaging 28.8 yards per return. His longest return was a 105-yard touchdown against the Minnesota Vikings. The week prior, he had a 93-yard return against the Miami Dolphins. The result? He was named First-Team All-Pro and earned every bit of it. Keisean Nixon needs to needs to be at the top of Green Bay's priorities when it comes to Packers free agents during the 2023 off-season.
Veteran Adrian Amos has a voiding contract, and Darnell Savage is entering the final year of his rookie deal. Rudy Ford is another gem of a find for General Manager Brian Gutekunst. The Packers initially signed Ford to help out the special teams unit after its disaster in 2021. He contributed there early but found his way into action at safety during the season. The highlight of 2022 for Ford was his two interceptions in the Packers’ win over Dallas. Despite some inconsistencies, he’s grown in the Joe Barry defense. Heading into an offseason where the safety position is one of the biggest question marks, re-signing Rudy Ford is a priority for this defense.
Call Mayfield Sports Marketing (MSM) at 262-366-8188 to schedule Packers free agents Allen Lazard, Keisean Nixon & Rudy Ford for your corporate appearance or product promotion. As a result, MSM will work on your behalf to get you the best price for your desired event, autograph session or social media campaign with Lazard, Nixon & Ford.
MSM has certainly earned a reputation of being the one to call for booking top athletes for events and shows. To learn more about Packers free agents Allen Lazard Keisean Nixon & Rudy Ford's appearance cost and booking fee, please call us today.
Mayfield Sports Marketing is not affiliated with the Green Bay Packers or any other professional sports organization. Mayfield Sports Marketing (MSM) therefore acts as an athlete broker for corporate functions, private events, and speaking engagements. MSM subsequently doesn't claim or represent itself as any player’s agent, speakers bureau, manager, publicist, assistant, PR firm, or management company. MSM is a marketing and booking agency representing organizations seeking to hire speakers, athletes, celebrities, and entertainment for corporate events, endorsements, athlete appearances, spokesperson campaigns, and speaking events.
When the Packers drafted Rashan Gary, he was sitting behind Preston Smith and Za'Darius Smith on the depth chart. However, he has quickly become one of the best defensive players on the team and is on his way to becoming one of the best defenders in the NFL. The Rashan Gary stats are just one reflection of the work he puts in during the offseason, constantly training and running drills to perfect his craft.
Rashan Gary was born on Dec. 3, 1997, in Plainfield, N.J. He went to high school at Scotch Plains-Fanwood but transferred to Paramus Catholic. Gary was a multi-sport athlete at Paramus Catholic, playing basketball and football. He became a five-star recruit for football over the course of his high school career. Not only was he a five-star, but he was also the No. 1 ranked player in the country for his high school class. Gary went on to play football at the University of Michigan.
Rashan went to college with the weight of expectations on him. But those expectations are what come with being the No. 1 player in the country coming out of high school. Gary played three seasons at the University of Michigan under Jim Harbaugh.
His stats included:
Gary's stats do not reflect the impact he had on the field. After his junior year, he decided to enter the NFL draft. Early mock drafts had Gary getting drafted as high as the top five picks.
The Packers missed the playoffs in 2018, so they were in fairly unfamiliar territory drafting at number 12. However, they did not hesitate to pull the trigger on the former Wolverine. At the time of the pick, many were unsure how Gary would fit into the puzzle that was the Packers' defense. The team had just dished out large contracts to free-agent pass rushers Preston Smith and Za'Darius Smith. Gary, at first, became a rotational piece on the Packers' defense.
However, in 2020 Gary started four games due to injuries. Gary recorded 5.0 sacks in 2020. In 2021 Za'Darius Smith missed the entire regular season with an injury which made Gary a full-time starter. 2021 ended up being his best season as a pro and was good enough for the Packers to be comfortable with moving on from Za'Darius Smith.
Gary began 2022 as a starter and was off to a phenomenal start. In just nine games, he had 6.0 sacks and was on pace to set a career-high in sacks, tackles, tackles for a loss, and quarterback hits. Unfortunately, Gary tore his ACL against the Detroit Lions in Week 9. The Packers missed his presence greatly for the rest of the season. Gary will look to bounce back in 2023 and have his best season as a pro.
Call Mayfield Sports Marketing (MSM) at 262-366-8188 to schedule Rashan Gary for your corporate appearance or product promotion. As a result, MSM will work on your behalf to get you the best price for your desired event, autograph session or social media campaign with Rashan Gary.
MSM has certainly earned a reputation of being the one to call for booking top athletes for events and shows. To learn more about Rashan Gary's appearance cost and booking fee, please call us today.
Mayfield Sports Marketing is not affiliated with the Green Bay Packers, or any other professional sports organization. Mayfield Sports Marketing (MSM) therefore acts as an athlete broker for corporate functions, private events, and speaking engagements. MSM subsequently doesn't claim or represent itself as any player’s agent, speakers bureau, manager, publicist, assistant, PR firm, or management company. MSM is a marketing and booking agency representing organizations seeking to hire speakers, athletes, celebrities, and entertainment for corporate events, endorsements, athlete appearances, spokesperson campaigns, and speaking events.
Desmond Howard accomplished so much in his collegiate and professional career that the more you dig into it, the more impressive it becomes. Howard was born on May 15, 1970, in Cleveland, Ohio. Howard earned All-American and All-Ohio honors as a tailback during his senior season at St. Joseph High School in Cleveland. He scored 18 touchdowns and a record-breaking 5,392 rushing yards, as well as 10 interceptions on defense. He earned three varsity letters in track, football and basketball.
After his high school career, he chose to attend the University of Michigan, where his talents were put on display for the entire nation. e originally committed to playing running back at Michigan. However, three days into his first camp, he was moved to wide receiver. The rest, as they say, was history. After rarely being used his freshman year, he broke out as a sophomore. That year he recorded 63 catches for 1,025 yards and 11 touchdowns. Additionally, he showed his versatility by running for 58 yards and averaging 29.6 yards on kickoffs, with a touchdown return.
Desmond Howard's junior season is when he showed that he was truly something special. His acrobatic catches and explosive returns made him one of the most electrifying players ever to play the college game. He became the first receiver in Big Ten history to lead the conference in scoring (138 points). He set or tied five NCAA records and had 12 single-season Michigan records. Howard caught 61 passes for 960 yards and an astounding 19 touchdowns.
He also rushed 12 times for 165 yards and two TDs. In his return game, he averaged 15.3 yards (with a TD) on punt returns and 31 yards on kick returns (with a TD). The All-American won the Heisman by the second-largest margin of victory in the trophy’s history. He was also awarded the Walter Camp Trophy and the Maxwell Award that year before graduating from the University of Michigan with a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communications. After his junior year, he declared for the 1992 NFL draft. The Washington Redskins selected him fourth overall.
Desmond Howard bounced around five different teams during his 11-year NFL career. Howard spent time with the Washington Redskins (1992-1994), Jacksonville Jaguars (1995), Green Bay Packers (1996 and 1999), Oakland Raiders (1997-1998) and Detroit Lions (1999-2002). The highlight of his career certainly came during the 1996 season with the Green Bay Packers. That season he led the NFL in punt returns (58), punt return yards (875) punt return average (15.1), and punt return touchdowns (three). He also recorded 460 kickoff return yards. His 875 punt return yards set an NFL record that year.
He continued his success during the 1996 post-season. Howard had a punt return for a touchdown in a game between the Packers and the San Francisco 49ers. He also had a 46-yard punt return that set up another score. The Packers would go on to win that game and face the New England Patriots in Super Bowl XXXI. Late in the third quarter, Drew Bledsoe led the Patriots down the field to score a touchdown and trim the Patriots' deficit to six. The very next play, Desmond Howard would make history.
The Patriots boomed the ensuing kickoff to the one-yard line, but Howard effectively shattered the Patriots' hopes for a comeback with a 99-yard kickoff return for a Packers touchdown. His return and the Packers' subsequent two-point conversion closed out the game's scoring, and the Packers eventually won 35–21. Desmond Howard took home Super Bowl MVP honors. Desmond Howard also earned Pro Bowl honors with the Detroit Lions in 2000.
Desmond Howard joined ESPN in 2005 as a college football analyst. He has been an analyst on the Emmy-Award winning "College GameDay Built by The Home Depot" since 2005 and also calls midweek games on ESPN. He also contributes to a number of ESPN shows and platforms, including "Get Up," "SportsCenter," and "College Football Live." In 2011, Howard was selected for the College Football Hall of Fame. He has also been inducted into the Gator Bowl Hall of Fame, the University of Michigan Hall Of Honor, the State of Michigan Sports Hall of Fame, and the Cleveland Sports Hall of Fame. He currently resides in Miami, FL, with his family.
Call Mayfield Sports Marketing (MSM) at 262-366-8188 to schedule Desmond Howard for your corporate appearance or product promotion. As a result, MSM will work on your behalf to get you the best price for your desired event, autograph session or social media campaign with Desmond Howard.
MSM has certainly earned a reputation of being the one to call for booking top athletes for events and shows. To learn more about Desmond Howard's appearance cost and booking fee, please call us today.
Mayfield Sports Marketing is not affiliated with the Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, or any other professional sports organization. Mayfield Sports Marketing (MSM) therefore acts as an athlete broker for corporate functions, private events, and speaking engagements. MSM subsequently doesn't claim or represent itself as any player’s agent, speakers bureau, manager, publicist, assistant, PR firm, or management company. MSM is a marketing and booking agency representing organizations seeking to hire speakers, athletes, celebrities, and entertainment for corporate events, endorsements, athlete appearances, spokesperson campaigns, and speaking events.
