Erik Howard

Infobox NFLretired


position=Defensive tackle
number=74
birthdate=birth date and age|1964|11|12
Pittsfield, Massachusetts
debutyear=1986
finalyear=1996
draftyear=1986
draftround=2
draftpick=46
college=Washington State
teams=
* New York Giants (1986-1994)
* New York Jets (1995-1996)
stat1label=Sacks
stat1value=33
stat2label=Games
stat2value=139
stat3label=Safeties
stat3value=1
nfl=HOW145348
highlights=
* 1x Pro Bowl selection (1990)
HOF=
CollegeHOF=

Erik Howard (born November 12, 1964 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts) is a former professional American football defensive tackle who played eleven seasons in the National Football League. He was a member of the 1986 Giants team that won Super Bowl XXI and the 1990 Giants team that won Super Bowl XXV for 9 years. In the 1990 NFC Championship game against the San Francisco 49ers, Howard came up with one of the biggest plays in Giants history. With just over 2 minutes left in the game, with the Giants trailing 12-13, the 49ers had the game nearly wrapped up when Howard forced running back Roger Craig to fumble the football. Lawrence Taylor recovered the fumble, and the Giants went on to win the game on a last second field goal. The Giants won the Super Bowl seven days later. He was traded to the New York Jets for two years, then decided to retire. He currently resides in Texas with his wife and three children.