SPORTS

A look at O.J. Howard

O.J. Howard, with his younger brother KJ in the background, talks to students Wednesday at Valiant Cross Academy, an all-boys school, in Montgomery.
O.J. Howard, with his younger brother KJ in the background, talks to students Wednesday at Valiant Cross Academy, an all-boys school, in Montgomery.
Duane Rankin/Advertiser
O.J. Howard answers questions from Valiant Cross Academy students with her mom. Lamesa Parker-Howard, watching.
O.J. Howard answers questions from Valiant Cross Academy students with her mom. Lamesa Parker-Howard, watching.
Duane Rankin/Advertiser
O.J. Howard shakes hands with a Valiant Cross Academy student Wednesday.
O.J. Howard shakes hands with a Valiant Cross Academy student Wednesday.
Duane Rankin/Advertiser
O.J. Howard shares a laugh with Valiant Cross Academy Head of School Anthon Brock and Director of Operations, Frederick Brock.
O.J. Howard shares a laugh with Valiant Cross Academy Head of School Anthon Brock and Director of Operations, Frederick Brock.
Duane Rankin/Advertiser
Alabama tight end O.J. Howard (88) carries in a touchdown reception in second half action of the College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. on Monday January 9, 2017. (Mickey Welsh / Montgomery Advertiser)
Alabama tight end O.J. Howard (88) carries in a touchdown reception in second half action of the College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. on Monday January 9, 2017. (Mickey Welsh / Montgomery Advertiser)
Alabama tight end O.J. Howard (88) talks with the media during the Alabama Media Day at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla. on Saturday January 7, 2017. The College Football Playoff National Championship Game is on Monday.
Alabama tight end O.J. Howard (88) talks with the media during the Alabama Media Day at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Fla. on Saturday January 7, 2017. The College Football Playoff National Championship Game is on Monday.
Mickey Welsh / Advertiser
Alabama tight end O.J. Howard (88) runs off the field after Alabama defeated Texas A&M at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa on Saturday, October 22, 2016.
Alabama tight end O.J. Howard (88) runs off the field after Alabama defeated Texas A&M at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa on Saturday, October 22, 2016.
Mickey Welsh
Alabama tight end O.J. Howard (88) runs behind the block of wide receiver Gehrig Dieter (11) against Texas A&M at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa on Saturday, October 22, 2016.
Alabama tight end O.J. Howard (88) runs behind the block of wide receiver Gehrig Dieter (11) against Texas A&M at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa on Saturday, October 22, 2016.
Mickey Welsh
Alabama tight end O.J. Howard (88) signs autographs on fan day at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Sunday August 7, 2016.
Alabama tight end O.J. Howard (88) signs autographs on fan day at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala., on Sunday August 7, 2016.
Mickey Welsh / Advertiser
CFB National Championship Game MVP O.J. Howard throws pompoms and candy from a parade float as the town of Autaugaville, Ala. holds a parade in honor of Howard on Saturday February 27, 2016.
CFB National Championship Game MVP O.J. Howard throws pompoms and candy from a parade float as the town of Autaugaville, Ala. holds a parade in honor of Howard on Saturday February 27, 2016.
Mickey Welsh / Advertiser
CFB National Championship Game MVP O.J. Howard throws trinkets from a parade float as the town of Autaugaville, Ala. holds a parade in honor of Howard on Saturday February 27, 2016.
CFB National Championship Game MVP O.J. Howard throws trinkets from a parade float as the town of Autaugaville, Ala. holds a parade in honor of Howard on Saturday February 27, 2016.
Mickey Welsh / Advertiser
CFB National Championship Game MVP O.J. Howard rides as the town of Autaugaville, Ala. holds a parade in honor of Howard on Saturday February 27, 2016.
CFB National Championship Game MVP O.J. Howard rides as the town of Autaugaville, Ala. holds a parade in honor of Howard on Saturday February 27, 2016.
Mickey Welsh / Advertiser
CFB National Championship Game MVP O.J. Howard signs an Autauga Academy jersey for Aaron Powell as the town of Autaugaville, Ala. holds a parade in honor of Howard on Saturday February 27, 2016.
CFB National Championship Game MVP O.J. Howard signs an Autauga Academy jersey for Aaron Powell as the town of Autaugaville, Ala. holds a parade in honor of Howard on Saturday February 27, 2016.
Mickey Welsh / Advertiser
Alabama tight end O.J. Howard is seen though his offensive player of the game trophy as he talks with the media during a College Football Playoff Championship Game press conference on Tuesday morning January 12, 2016 in Scottsdale, Az.
Alabama tight end O.J. Howard is seen though his offensive player of the game trophy as he talks with the media during a College Football Playoff Championship Game press conference on Tuesday morning January 12, 2016 in Scottsdale, Az.
Mickey Welsh / Advertiser
Alabama tight end O.J. Howard (88) carries on a long gainer against Clemson in the College Football Playoff Championship Game on Monday January 11, 2016 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Az.
Alabama tight end O.J. Howard (88) carries on a long gainer against Clemson in the College Football Playoff Championship Game on Monday January 11, 2016 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Az.
(Mickey Welsh / Montgomery Advertiser)
Alabama tight end O.J. Howard (88) and defensive back Eddie Jackson (4) celebrate with the championship trophy following the College Football Playoff Championship Game on Monday January 11, 2016 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Az. (Mickey Welsh / Montgomery Advertiser)
Alabama tight end O.J. Howard (88) and defensive back Eddie Jackson (4) celebrate with the championship trophy following the College Football Playoff Championship Game on Monday January 11, 2016 at University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Az. (Mickey Welsh / Montgomery Advertiser)
O.J. Howard of Autauga Academy at High School Media Days on July 31, 2012. (Thomas Pearson, Montgomery Advertiser)
O.J. Howard of Autauga Academy at High School Media Days on July 31, 2012. (Thomas Pearson, Montgomery Advertiser)
MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER, Thomas Pearson/Advertiser
Autauga Academy's O. J. Howard, left, (21) and Edgewood Academy's Bailey Hansen (25) during their game at Autauga Academy on Monday, April 9, 2012, in Prattville, Ala.. (Lloyd Gallman, Advertiser)
Autauga Academy's O. J. Howard, left, (21) and Edgewood Academy's Bailey Hansen (25) during their game at Autauga Academy on Monday, April 9, 2012, in Prattville, Ala.. (Lloyd Gallman, Advertiser)
LLOYD GALLMAN/ADVERTISER, Lloyd Gallman/Advertiser
Autauga Academy - O. J. Howard. Montgomery Advertiser High School Football Media Days on Wednesday, July 27, 2011, in downtown Montgomery, Ala.. (Montgomery Advertiser, Lloyd Gallman)
Autauga Academy - O. J. Howard. Montgomery Advertiser High School Football Media Days on Wednesday, July 27, 2011, in downtown Montgomery, Ala.. (Montgomery Advertiser, Lloyd Gallman)
MONTGOMERY ADVERTISER
O.J. Howard's (21) strong preformance in the paint helped the Generals to a 56-53 victory over East Memorial last Thursday night.
O.J. Howard's (21) strong preformance in the paint helped the Generals to a 56-53 victory over East Memorial last Thursday night.
Angelique Suzanne
Autauga Academy's O.J. Howard sits with his mother Lamesa Howard as he is honored at a ceremony at the school in Prattville, Ala. on Thursday December 13, 2012. Howard will start school at the University of Alabama in January.(Montgomery Advertiser, Mickey Welsh)
Autauga Academy's O.J. Howard sits with his mother Lamesa Howard as he is honored at a ceremony at the school in Prattville, Ala. on Thursday December 13, 2012. Howard will start school at the University of Alabama in January.(Montgomery Advertiser, Mickey Welsh)
Montgomery Advertiser, Mickey Welsh/Advertiser
Autauga Academy's O.J. Howard, right, poses with his mother Lamesa Howard and his step father Kareem Howard at a ceremony at the school in Prattville, Ala. on Thursday December 13, 2012. Howard will start school at the University of Alabama in January.(Montgomery Advertiser, Mickey Welsh)
Autauga Academy's O.J. Howard, right, poses with his mother Lamesa Howard and his step father Kareem Howard at a ceremony at the school in Prattville, Ala. on Thursday December 13, 2012. Howard will start school at the University of Alabama in January.(Montgomery Advertiser, Mickey Welsh)
Montgomery Advertiser, Mickey Welsh/Advertiser
Mickey Welsh/Advertiser The family of O.J. Howard, from left, Kareem Howard, Lamesa Parker-Howard and KJ Howard, pose for a photo before the Iron Bowl at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa on Saturday. The family of OJ Howard, from left, Kareem Howard, Lamesa Parker Howard and KJ Howard before the Iron Bowl at Bryant Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala. on Saturday November 26, 2016. (Mickey Welsh / Montgomery Advertiser)
Mickey Welsh/Advertiser The family of O.J. Howard, from left, Kareem Howard, Lamesa Parker-Howard and KJ Howard, pose for a photo before the Iron Bowl at Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa on Saturday. The family of OJ Howard, from left, Kareem Howard, Lamesa Parker Howard and KJ Howard before the Iron Bowl at Bryant Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Ala. on Saturday November 26, 2016. (Mickey Welsh / Montgomery Advertiser)