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No one can mention the name Desmond Howard without recalling the image of the Desmond Howard Heisman Pose moment, captured by photographer Brian Masck, after returning a punt for a touchdown in the 1991 Michigan-Ohio State game.
The Michigan Wolverines would go on to beat No. 18 Ohio State by a score of 31-3 and Howard eventually would lay claim to the Heisman Trophy by the second largest margin of victory in the trophy’s history. Desmond compiled many other honors in his spectacular senior season, earning a unanimous All-America selection, the Maxwell Award, and became the Walter Camp Player of the Year. That 1991 season, Howard was the nation’s most explosive all-purpose player.
Nationally, he was second in scoring and punt returns, and tenth in receiving. Howard also became the first receiver in history to lead the Big Ten Conference in scoring and he set or tied five NCAA records and 12 single-season Michigan records during his senior year. Desmond left Ann Arbor in 1991 as one of the most decorated players ever to wear the maize and blue on Saturdays.
“That thing (Desmond’s Heisman pose) resonates with everyone,” said Howard, who now works for ESPN as an analyst. “When we travel, all the college kids, they’re chanting, ‘Do the Heisman.’”
In 2010, Howard was elected to the College Football Hall of Fame. He is one of only four people to win a Heisman Trophy and a Super Bowl MVP. Currently, a sports broadcaster for ESPN College GameDay, his post football career achievements also include induction into the Gator Bowl Hall of Fame and State of Michigan Sports Hall of Fame. His television honors include being a part of the Sports Emmy winning season of College GameDay (2007-2008).