By Barry Wilner
Special to the Pro Football Hall of Fame
Only one player has been chosen the Super Bowl MVP from a losing team. That should not be the only way CHUCK HOWLEY is recognized.
And it won’t be: The former Dallas Cowboys linebacker is now a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, entering as a Seniors selection.
“His legacy extends far beyond the records he set or the awards he earned,” said his son, Scott, who presented Howley for enshrinement. “It lies in the hearts of all who have the privilege of knowing him as a player, a father or a friend.”
Plenty was expected out of the first-round draft pick by Chicago in 1958. An offensive lineman taken seventh overall, Howley spent two seasons as a backup linebacker for the Bears, then missed the 1960 season with a knee injury that actually made him decide to retire; he ran a gas station in that time. But the passion for the sport never faded, Howley performed well in an alumni game at West Virginia – where he had lettered in five sports – and with Dallas acquiring his rights, he tried a comeback.
“At the time, Dad believed his football career was over due a knee injury,” Scott told the crowd at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, “but their belief in his potential allowed him to make a remarkable comeback. Their willingness to take a chance on him enabled Dad to reach new heights and fully realize his talent.
“In fact, Coach (Tom) Landry once remarked, `I don’t know that I’ve seen anybody better at linebacker than Howley.’ ”
The comeback lasted a mere 13 more seasons in which Howley made five All-Pro squads and seven Pro Bowls as one of the pre-eminent outside linebackers in the league. He was a key to the “Doomsday Defense.”
“If he saw a slot receiver doing something, he could catch most of them,” fellow Hall of Famer Bob Lilly told The Associated Press. “He had the ability and he obviously had a good mind for it. He was probably looking at it from a notch above most of us.”
A tackling machine who also excelled in pass coverage, Howley recovered 18 fumbles (for 191 yards, which ranks seventh on the NFL’s all-time list) and had 25 interceptions. As a pass rusher, he made 26 sacks. Landry – hardly someone to offer praise easily – once said Howley could handle any assignment.
The best example? In Super Bowl V, one of the sloppiest championship games, Howley intercepted two passes and forced a fumble. With both offenses stumbling, he kept Dallas in the contest, but Jim O’Brien’s last-minute field goal won the game for Baltimore.
Howley didn’t believe the news when told he was the game’s MVP.
The next year, Howley and the Cowboys were on top, and he had a pick and a fumble recovery as Dallas held the Miami Dolphins to 185 total yards.
Howley was elected to the Cowboys Ring of Honor in 1977, and now has a place in Canton alongside so many other great Dallas defenders. Cowboys legends Lilly, Roger Staubach, Lee Roy Jordan, Mel Renfro, Cliff Harris and Charlie Waters all took part in telling Howley, now 87 and suffering from dementia, that he was joining them in the Hall.
“There wouldn’t have been a ‘Doomsday’ defense without Chuck,” Lilly said.
Added Staubach: “It’s an honor that’s well-deserved. He was a fantastic linebacker. He did everything. He could run, hit, drop into coverage, rush the passer. It’s such a thrill because it brings back so many memories.”
Scott Howley concluded his speech with the hope the fans could stir those memories for his father.
“Our family is truly honored to have this opportunity to represent our dad as he takes his rightful place among the immortals of the Pro Football Hall of Fame,” Scott Howley said. “Since Dad is unable to be here in person, I hope he’s watching on television, and with that in mind I have a special request: I’d like to ask that we give Dad a shout-out, so on the count of 3, we’re going to yell, `HELLO, CHUCK!’ ”
A chant that hopefully was heard by Howley back home.
More on the Enshrinement of each class member
Class members are listed in order of their Enshrinement speeches:
- Class of 2023: Zach Thomas — A special player in every way
- Class of 2023: Ken Riley — From college quarterback to shutdown NFL cornerback
- Class of 2023: DeMarcus Ware — No cape needed for this Superman
- Class of 2023: Joe Klecko — Versatility and perseverance were his trademarks
- Class of 2023: Chuck Howley — Much more than a Super Bowl MVP
- Class of 2023: Darrelle Revis — Definition of a shutdown cornerback
- Class of 2023: Don Coryell — A godfather of the modern offense enters the Hall of Fame
- Class of 2023: Rondé Barber — Proud to be relentlessly uncommon
- Class of 2023: Joe Thomas — A hall of Fame rarity, a megastar for losing teams
2023 Pro Football Hall of Fame Game
- Browns dominate second half to beat Jets 21-16
