the Bengals had placed linebacker Thomas Howard on injured reserve after tearing his ACL in practice. Atlanta Falcons 2013 Howard was signed by the Atlanta Falcons on October 22, 2013 and subsequently released on November 12, 2013, having appeared in two games. NFL statistics Key GP: games played COMB: combined tackles TOTAL: total tackles AST: assisted tackles SACK: sacks FF: forced fumbles FR: fumble recoveries FR YDS: fumble return yards INT: interceptions IR YDS: interception return yards AVG IR: average interception return LNG: longest interception return TD: interceptions returned for touchdown PD: passes defensed Personal life Family Howard was born and raised in Lubbock, Texas and attended Lubbock Estacado High School. His father, Thomas Howard, Sr., also played in the NFL as a linebacker. Howard's cousin is singer Terry Ellis, best known as a member of En Vogue. 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 to build partnerships and programs to enhance students' 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. Howard returned to his college town of El Paso for special programs honoring Walk-On athletes. Death On November 18, 2013, Howard was one of two people killed in an Oakland, California high-speed crash on Interstate Highway 880. References External links Thomas Howard Official Website Oakland Raiders bio 1983 births 2013 deaths African-American players of American football American football linebackers Atlanta Falcons players Cincinnati Bengals players Oakland Raiders players Players of American football from Texas Road incident deaths in California Sportspeople from Lubbock, Texas UTEP Miners football players 20th-century African-American people 21st-century African-American sportspeople