'Dream come true': O.J. Howard headed to Tampa Bay
PRATTVILLE – Hugs. Tears. Cheers.
With family and friends all around, O.J. Howard got the most important phone call of his life that resulted in a joyous celebration at the Marriott in Prattville.
The Autauga Academy graduate was chosen 19th overall by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Day 1 of the 2017 NFL draft Thursday.
“Man, it feels great,” Howard said. “Very exciting. It’s a dream come true for sure.”
Howard’s parents, Kareem and Lamesa Parker-Howard, were overjoyed as around 50 family members surrounded their son celebrating this once-in-a-lifetime moment.
“Just tears of joy,” Mrs. Howard said. “Just very excited for the opportunity. We were blessed with my son and he’s blessed to go do something that he loves and that’s to play football.”
More: Howard not surprised Tampa Bay picked him
In the middle of all was Howard, the 6-foot, 6-inch, 251-pound tight end who has gone from playing at a small private school to the University of Alabama to the National Football League.
"It was an amazing moment, occasion" Howard said. "That's why I chose to stay home so you can get this feeling. Everybody couldn't make it to Philly so everybody could come here. That's the reason why I did it."
Howard goes back to the city he played his last college game and teams up with quarterback Jameis Winston.
“I love that pick,” Kareem Howard said. “They’ve got a great quarterback. They’ve got a great organization. Great players around him.”
Three other Alabama players were taken in the first round. The Baltimore Ravens selected cornerback Marlon Humphrey with the 16th overall pick while Washington drafted Jonathan Allen with the 17th pick and San Francisco picked Reuben Foster with the 31st pick. Unlike Allen, Howard didn’t attend the draft in Philadelphia.
He instead stayed home and celebrated with his family. With NFL Network on hand, there was red carpet even prior to the draft. Once inside the President Cottage at the hotel nestled beside Robert Trent Jones Golf Trail, the party resumed with eagerness and anticipation felt in the air.
More: Howard not surprised Tampa Bay picked him
Howard was projected to go in the top 10 of the draft, but had to wait a little longer than expected.
The wait was worth it..
“We had talked about it before today, me and my agent,” said Howard, who visited Tampa Bay during the draft process. “We knew it could be from anywhere around that range from six all the way down to 20. So right there at 19. It wasn’t out of the ordinary. So I didn’t panic too bad.”
The irony of the pick was Howard knew about minutes before the draft was shown on NFL Network. He received the call from Tampa Bay head coach Dirk Koetter, donned an orange Tampa Bay hat and was sitting on the couch with his parents when NFL Network showed the selection.
More: Four Alabama players drafted in 1st round of NFL draft
Once Howard exchanged hugs with family and friends, he went downstairs to the main area and received a major ovation from around 200 people that included his great great grandmothers, Ethel Cooks.
"I expected it to be fun and people being excited, but I didn't expect it to be that many people," Howard said. "It was a like a football game, but that's the support that I have.
Elation. Eruption. Euphoria.
“Just tears of joy,” said Howard’s aunt, Sharon Parker. “I held back the tears, though. It was hard.”
After doing interviews, Howard began to focus on what lies ahead.
Contract negotiations. Rookie minicamps. Being a professional. Howard was scheduled to fly out Friday morning to Tampa Bay.
O.J. Howard is now in the National Football League.
His past has put him in this position. His future looks bright.
On Thursday night, with his family and friends all around, Howard experienced something he’ll never forget for the rest of his life — and neither will they.
“It means a lot to me because I’ve known him since I was little,” Howard’s younger brother, KJ, said. “I just saw him work and get better as a player over the years. I saw how hard he grind. He was in the backyard running when everyone else didn’t know it. I knew it all the time. He’s been working hard for years for this. It’s a blessing. Glory to God."