May 17, 1977 — Reggie Howard’s Birthday: Tiger DB who picked Brady and came home to coach

Quick Facts

• Date: May 17, 1977
• Birthplace: Reported as Memphis, Tennessee (ESPN; Pro-Football-Reference); some sources list Charlotte, North Carolina (disputed).
• College: University of Memphis; two-year letterwinner, 1998–1999.
• Notable: Intercepted Tom Brady in Super Bowl XXXVIII while with the Carolina Panthers.
• NFL: Undrafted in 2000; played seven seasons with the Panthers, Dolphins, and Saints.
• Current role: Assistant Coach/Defensive Backs (cornerbacks), University of Memphis (announced Jan. 11, 2024).
• Recognition: Named to the University of Memphis M Club Hall of Fame Class of 2024.

Main Story

On May 17, 1977, Reggie Howard was born—an eventual mainstay in Memphis history for Tiger football and a link between the college game and the NFL’s biggest stage. After transferring into the program and lettering for the University of Memphis in 1998–1999, Howard went undrafted in 2000 but signed with the Carolina Panthers and carved out a seven-year pro career. His most famous moment came on the sport’s grandest stage: Super Bowl XXXVIII, when he intercepted New England’s Tom Brady, a highlight still celebrated by Panthers and Tigers alike. That play is noted in University of Memphis materials and NFL photo archives, underscoring Howard’s place in football lore.

Howard has kept close ties to the 901. He first returned to his alma mater as a defensive assistant in 2017, helping a Tigers team that reached the AutoZone Liberty Bowl. He later served as Director of High School Relations in 2020 and, in January 2024, was announced as Memphis’s cornerbacks coach. In 2024, his unit helped the Tigers finish 11–2 with a Frisco Bowl win, and corner Davion Ross earned First Team All-AAC honors.

Legacy

For Bluff City fans, Howard’s story reflects the Memphis way: perseverance, opportunity, and giving back. From Saturdays in the blue and gray to a Super Bowl interception and back to coaching on the Park Avenue campus, his journey strengthens the pipeline that keeps Tiger football—and the wider 901 community—thriving. As Beale Street landmarks and campus traditions continue to anchor the city’s identity, Howard’s career stands as a touchstone for aspiring Memphis athletes and a point of pride in Memphis history.

https://gotigersgo.com/staff-directory/reggie-howard/2855, https://gotigersgo.com/news/2024/1/11/silverfield-announces-addition-of-howard-to-memphis-football-coaching-staff, https://gotigersgo.com/news/2025/1/16/general-memphis-athletics-announces-2024-m-club-hall-of-fame-class, https://www.espn.com/nfl/player/bio/_/id/2454/reggie-howard, https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/H/HowaRe21.htm, https://www.panthers.com/news/week-4-wednesday-injury-report-longer-list-heading-into-patriots-week, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reggie_Howard