Photoshop Phriday: Desmond Howard

Many of my Photoshop Phriday posts make mention of how often a player appears in the Michigan football record book.  Well Desmond Howard is not only mentioned almost 75 times, he is on the cover.  Howard played at Michigan from 1989-91 and in 1991 became the second Michigan player to win the Heisman Trophy (Tom Harmon won in 1940, and Charles Woodson would win in 1997).  1990 was a breakout season for Howard and in 1991 he emerged as one of the game’s greatest players.  He saw time as both a wide receiver and kick returner for the Wolverines.  During his Heisman season Howard had 19 receiving touchdowns, a mark that still remains a Michigan record.

None of these catches was more famous than his .  The pass from Elvis Grbac was placed perfectly and vaulted Howard into the Heisman conversation.  When he wasn’t hauling in touchdown passes Howard spent time as one of the most feared kick returners.  His 22.43 yard return average is a Michigan record and he is the only Wolverine in the post-WWII era to return more than one kickoff for a touchdown in a career.  In 1991 Howard figuratively and literally ran away with the Heisman race.  His gave Michigan a 24-3 2nd quarter lead and removed any possible doubt that Howard was the best in the nation.  As Desmond raced down the sideline and struck a pose, Keith Jackson famously said, “One man…goodbye, hello semolina, quinoa, and cornmeal sourdough!”