Thomas Howard ( American football ) Thomas Howard ( born July 14 , 1983 ) is an American football linebacker for the Cincinnati Bengals in the National Football League . He was drafted by the Raiders in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft . He played college football for the University of Texas at El Paso . College career . Thomas A . Howard began his college career as a walk - on at the University of Texas at El Paso and was then redshirted . He had a solid freshman season , being named to " Sporting News " All - WAC Freshman team . He played in 11 games and made 4 starts at weakside linebacker . The following season he played in 13 games and started 10 of them . He had a great junior season being named Second Team All - WAC and helping lead his team to their first bowl game since 2001 . He had a mediocre senior season after being named pre - season defensive player of the year in the state of Texas . NFL career . Oakland Raiders . 2006 . He recorded 110 tackles , 88 solo tackles , and 1 pass deflection in 2006 . 2007 . Howard ' s second season started off with an interception in each of his first 4 games , 2 of them which were returned for touchdown s . Since then he has also recorded a quarterback sack and 8 passes defensed . In only his second NFL season , Howard led the NFL in linebacker interceptions with 6 for 172 yards and 2 touchdowns . At the end of 2007 , Howard had 95 tackles , 77 solo , 11 pass deflections , 6 interceptions , 1 sack , and 2 touchdowns . 2008 . Howard recorded his first career forced fumble during a week 2 victory against the division rival Kansas City Chiefs . He recorded a second during a week 16 victory against the Houston Texans . At the end of the 2008 season , Thomas Howard had 97 tackles , 80 solo , 5 pass deflections , 1 interception , 1 sack , and 2 forced fumbles . 2009 . While tallying a career low 79 tackles , 72 of which were solo , Howard still came away with a career high 2 sacks . He finished the season with 79 tackles , 72 solo , 6 pass deflections , 2 sacks , and 1 forced fumble . 2010 . The Oakland Raiders waived him . Cincinnati Bengals . 2011 . He signed a contract for 2 years worth 6 . 5 million dollars . Thomas Howard 2012 . Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer reports the Bengals have placed linebacker Thomas Howard on injured reserve after he tore his ACL in practice on September 13 , 2012 . Personal . Family . His father , Thomas Howard , Sr . , also played in the NFL as a linebacker . Though never playing for the Raiders , He did return 3 fumble recoveries for touchdown s against some of the Raiders most hated rivals : one in 1980 against the Denver Broncos , one in 1981 against the Pittsburgh Steelers , and one in 1984 against the New England Patriots . Philanthropy . In January 2010 , Howard donated money to the Bay Area After - School All - Stars . The Bay Area After - School All - Stars is a program that provides free after school programming for underserved youth . The program currently serves 26 schools in San Jose and is looking to expand to more schools in the future . Students attend the program for four hours each day after school , doing their homework creating art and playing sports . Howard launched the Thomas Howard Foundation in September 2009 with the efforts to build partnerships and programs to enhance student ’ s academic and athletic goals . The Foundation benefits youth who seek to excel in both education and organized sports activities . The signature scholarships and programs of the Thomas Howard Foundation include : The Annual Walk - On Scholarship ; YFL Football Uniforms Scholarship Fund ; the Are You Smarter than a 4th Grader program for school curriculum enhancement ; and supporting the After - School All - Stars , providing programs that include academic support , enrichment opportunities , and health / fitness activities . Each year Howard returns to his college town of El Paso for a special program honoring Walk - On athletes . For more information , please visit www . Mr53 . com .