With the Green Bay Packers once again looking for an answer at special teams coach going into another NFL offseason, this week I found myself looking deeper into a one-time answer in the unit at returner, Desmond Howard.

Howard would join the Packers in 1996 following numerous stops as a wide receiver and return specialist. With a Heisman trophy to his name in 1991, Howard had yet to live up to much of the hype that would follow him following his illustrious career at the University of Michigan

In Green Bay, Head Coach at the time Mike Holmgren did not need Howard to be a star receiver, he needed a difference maker on special teams. A lost art in today’s Green Bay Packers, specifically during the 1996 season, every time Howard touched the ball, there was a threat at hand.

Howard would deliver one of the greatest return seasons in NFL history. Leading the NFL in punt return yards (15.1), 3 punt return touchdowns, at the time an NFL record 875 punt return yards, and first team all pro honors. Howard was a game changer, transforming games with field position and explosive scores, none bigger than his Super Bowl XXXI mark against the New England Patriots.

Howard would provide an electrifying punt return per usual in the first quarter of the game to start. As the game would progress, with Green Bay leading for majority of the game at the time, New England would begin to close the gap in the 3rd quarter. Enter Desmond Howard. A 99-yard kick return touchdown would insert the former Wolverine into Green Bay Packers lore forever. Swinging the momentum into Gren Bay’s favor, and eventually sealing the Packers 3rd Super Bowl championship, 35-21.

Becoming the first and still only primarily special teams’ player to win Super Bowl MVP, and first Heisman winner to take the honor of Super Bowl MVP. Although Howard would only spend one single season with Green Bay, the impact of Howard was, and still is felt eternally through Packer history.

Not only a special performance, but Howard’s return also provided a play in Packer history, following one of the hardest droughts of Green Bay Packers football. Almost 30 years since their last title, the return was almost a finishing touch on a season that was one of Green Bay’s all-time best.

It is hard to find one specific play in Packer’s lore that has led to immortalization. It also is hard to find in today’s NFL landscape the impact special teams can have. With the new rules continually making the position harder to provide game-changing plays, take 1996’s season as a constant reminder what a dangerous return man really can present.

As rare as it has been for Heisman trophy winners playing for the Packers, names such as Paul Hornung, Ty Detmer, and Bruce Smith, to name a few just as rare has it been to have game changers on the special teams unit. Desmond Howard proved to be the risk worth taking.

With a new search being conducted for the coach of one of the 3 phases of the team, perhaps players like Desmond Howard can be a reminder in the importance of the position, and unit. As for Howard, holding one of the college football’s most illustrious plays in his 1991 93-yard punt return vs Ohio State. Along with his 1996 kick return touchdown for the Green Bay Packers, I’d argue that is the greatest collection of special teams archives one could offer.

25 years ago today… The Packers won Super Bowl 31.

Desmond Howard was Super Bowl MVP as you see him here turn the jets on and take it to the house. 💨 pic.twitter.com/BPIWlpgznz

— GBP Daily - Rob Westerman lll (@GBPdaily) January 26, 2022

Everyone remembers the kickoff return for a TD, but Desmond Howard’s 32 yard punt return to set up the first Packers offensive series was a thing of beauty too. @DesmondHoward was on one that night. pic.twitter.com/KAQgFYOrrw

— Aaron Nagler (@AaronNagler) April 9, 2020