Professional Football Player, Coach. As head coach of the New York Giants, he will perhaps be best remembered for guiding the franchise to the 1956 NFL Championship. After attending Lonoke High School in Arkansas, he played collegiate football at the University of Arkansas. Additionally, he played collegiate basketball and achieved All-SWC honors in 1936. Signed as a non-drafted player by the Giants in 1937, he appeared in 74 regular season games during eight seasons with the Giants (1937 to 1942 and 1946 to 1947). In 1938, he experienced a world championship with New York and individually earned Pro-Bowl recognition that year. Howell's professional playing career was interrupted as he served in the South Pacific Theater with the United States Marine Corps during World War II (1944 To 1945). Following his retirement as a player, Howell went onto serve as head coach at Wagner College and made a success out of their football program. In 1950, he returned to the NFL as assistant under Steve Owens and in 1954, he became his successor as head coach of the Giants. In addition to a talent-loaded roster of such players as Frank Gifford, Rosey Grier, Andy Robustelli and Alex Webster, Howell was fortunate to have legendary coaches Vince Lombardi (offensive coach) and Tom Landry (defensive coach) on his staff during New York's championship season of 1956. The Giants reached the NFL Title Game two more times (1958 and 1959) resulting in epic battles with the Baltimore Colts. The 1958 Title Game was referred to as "The Greatest Game Ever Played". He retired as a coach after the 1959 season with the distinction of never fielding a team with a loosing record. He remained with the Giants' organization to serve as director of player personal and a scout. He retired from football in 1986 and returned to his native Arkansas to work on his family's cattle ranch. During his professional playing career, Howell was also active in the political arena as a member of Arkansas' legislature.