Howard graduated from Sheffield High School where he played tackle on the Bulldogs football team, coached by Walton Wright from 1941-1944. He was selected Co-Captain of the 1944 squad along with being named to All Tri-Cities Team and All-State Team that same year. During his playing days Sheffield had great success on the gridiron as its combined record for the four year period was 27-6-2 including 3-0-1 mark record against Coffee and a 3-1 mark versus Deshler. The 1944 team gave up only four touchdowns as it went 9-0 and started the season with five consecutive shutouts. Coach Wright once stated that, "Howard was one of the best players I ever had". After graduation he enlisted in the United States Army and served in the Amy of Occupation in Japan. After his discharge from the service in 1947, Howard attended Florence State College for a short time and then received a scholarship to play football at the University of Tennessee of Chattanooga.