LaRod Stephens-Howling
Encyclopedia
LaRod Stephens-Howling is an American football
running back
and kickoff returner for the Arizona Cardinals
of the National Football League
. He was drafted by the Cardinals in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft
. He played college football
at Pittsburgh
.
, where he competed in football, baseball, wrestling, and track.
for the University of Pittsburgh
Panthers
. He was the starter for the Panthers before being replaced by LeSean McCoy
in 2007.
in the seventh round (240th overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft
. In addition to playing running back, Stephens-Howling returns kickoffs for the team. On November 1, 2009, Stephens-Howling earned his first NFL touchdown on a 14-yard reception from Kurt Warner
against the Carolina Panthers
. On November 29, 2009, Stephens-Howling returned a Rob Bironas
kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans
. On Sep. 26 2010, Stephens-Howling returned the opening kickoff 102 yards for a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders. And on October 31, 2010, he scored his first rushing touchdown after bouncing out near the sidelines and running 30 yards against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
.
American football
American football is a sport played between two teams of eleven with the objective of scoring points by advancing the ball into the opposing team's end zone. Known in the United States simply as football, it may also be referred to informally as gridiron football. The ball can be advanced by...
running back
Running back
A running back is a gridiron football position, who is typically lined up in the offensive backfield. The primary roles of a running back are to receive handoffs from the quarterback for a rushing play, to catch passes from out of the backfield, and to block.There are usually one or two running...
and kickoff returner for the Arizona Cardinals
Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
of the National Football League
National Football League
The National Football League is the highest level of professional American football in the United States, and is considered the top professional American football league in the world. It was formed by eleven teams in 1920 as the American Professional Football Association, with the league changing...
. He was drafted by the Cardinals in the seventh round of the 2009 NFL Draft
2009 NFL Draft
The 2009 NFL Draft was the seventy-fourth annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 25 and 26, 2009. The draft consisted of two rounds on the first day starting at 4:00...
. He played college football
College football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh Panthers football
Pittsburgh Panthers football is the intercollegiate football team of the University of Pittsburgh, often referred to as "Pitt", located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Traditionally the most popular sport at the university, Pitt football has played at the highest level of American college football...
.
Early years
Stephens-Howling attended Greater Johnstown High SchoolGreater Johnstown High School
Greater Johnstown High School is a high school located in between the neighborhoods of Moxham, 8th Ward and Hornerstown in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, in the United States. It is the senior high school for the Greater Johnstown School District. The current Superintendent is Barbara Parkins, herself a...
, where he competed in football, baseball, wrestling, and track.
College career
Stephens-Howling played college footballCollege football
College football refers to American football played by teams of student athletes fielded by American universities, colleges, and military academies, or Canadian football played by teams of student athletes fielded by Canadian universities...
for the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
Panthers
Pittsburgh Panthers football
Pittsburgh Panthers football is the intercollegiate football team of the University of Pittsburgh, often referred to as "Pitt", located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Traditionally the most popular sport at the university, Pitt football has played at the highest level of American college football...
. He was the starter for the Panthers before being replaced by LeSean McCoy
LeSean McCoy
-Philadelphia Eagles:McCoy was drafted by the Philadelphia Eagles in the second round of the 2009 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year contract with the team on June 29, 2009....
in 2007.
Arizona Cardinals
Stephens-Howling was drafted by the Arizona CardinalsArizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are a professional American football team based in Glendale, Arizona, a suburb of Phoenix. They are currently members of the Western Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League...
in the seventh round (240th overall) of the 2009 NFL Draft
2009 NFL Draft
The 2009 NFL Draft was the seventy-fourth annual meeting of National Football League franchises to select newly eligible football players. The draft took place at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on April 25 and 26, 2009. The draft consisted of two rounds on the first day starting at 4:00...
. In addition to playing running back, Stephens-Howling returns kickoffs for the team. On November 1, 2009, Stephens-Howling earned his first NFL touchdown on a 14-yard reception from Kurt Warner
Kurt Warner
Kurtis Eugene "Kurt" Warner is a retired American football player. He played quarterback for three National Football League teams: the St. Louis Rams, the New York Giants, and the Arizona Cardinals. He was originally signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 1994 after playing...
against the Carolina Panthers
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
. On November 29, 2009, Stephens-Howling returned a Rob Bironas
Rob Bironas
James Robert Douglas "Rob" Bironas is an American football placekicker for the Tennessee Titans of the National Football League. He was signed by the Green Bay Packers as an undrafted free agent in 2002. He played college football at Auburn University and Georgia Southern.Bironas was an All-Pro...
kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans
Tennessee Titans
The Tennessee Titans are a professional American football team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. They are members of the South Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League . Previously known as the Houston Oilers, the team began play in 1960 as a charter...
. On Sep. 26 2010, Stephens-Howling returned the opening kickoff 102 yards for a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders. And on October 31, 2010, he scored his first rushing touchdown after bouncing out near the sidelines and running 30 yards against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are a professional American football franchise based in Tampa, Florida, U.S. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League – they are the only team in the division not to come from the old NFC West...
.