Patrick Gerrard Howell (born March 12, 1957) is a former American college and professional football player who was an offensive lineman in the National Football League (NFL) for seven seasons during the late 1970s and 1980s. Howell played college football at the University of Southern California, and was recognized as an All-American. A second-round pick in the 1979 NFL Draft, he played professionally for the Atlanta Falcons and Houston Oilers of the NFL. Early years Howell was born in Fresno, California. He was a Parade magazine high school All-American for Fresno High School football team in 1974, and Central California Valley discus throw champion in track and field. College career Howell attended the University of Southern California, where he played for the USC Trojans football team. As a senior in 1978, he received consensus first-team All-American honors. Professional career The Houston Oilers chose Howell in the second round (forty-ninth pick overall) of the 1979 NFL Draft, and he played for the Oilers from to , and Atlanta Falcons between 1983 and . Football family His son, Nick Howell, was an offensive lineman for the USC Trojans, after playing football at Bullard High School in Fresno, California. 1957 births Living people All-American college football players American football offensive linemen Atlanta Falcons players Houston Oilers players Sportspeople from Fresno, California USC Trojans football players Ed Block Courage Award recipients