Thomas Arquis Howard (July 14, 1983 – November 18, 2013) was an American football linebacker in the National Football League. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the second round of the 2006 NFL Draft. He also played for the Cincinnati Bengals and Atlanta Falcons. 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. Professional 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 touchdowns. 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 after 12 games. Cincinnati Bengals 2011 In the 2011 offseason, Thomas Howard signed a 2-year deal with the Bengals worth $6.5 million. 2012 On September 13, 2012, Joe Reedy of the Cincinnati Enquirer reported that