Sept. 13, 2003

Editor's Note: This story ran in the Sept. 13 edition of the Mizzou football gameday program.

by Jessica Poole

The thought of leaving Missouri and entering the real world often leaves mixed feelings of excitement, desperation and often times is a bittersweet feeling, but for senior Howard Brown, it's a feeling of accomplishment and a step in the right direction.

Brown, an offensive lineman from St. Louis is ready to enter the real world and owes much of his maturation process to the coaches and players on the football team.

"My time here at Missouri has been a wonderful learning experience," Brown said. "I've grown up so much since I've been here. I've had the opportunity to meet so many different people from all over and it's truly been a blessing."

Brown remembers his first game wearing the Black and Gold and recalls the atmosphere as "unbelievable."

"The first game my freshman year was against Western Illinois. I can remember working so hard through two-a-days, and hearing the older guys talk about wanting to go out and get a win," Brown said. "The most vivid thing I remember was going out of the tunnel the second time and you could see tears in everyone's eyes, there was just so much anticipation in the air."

When thinking back to those people that have inspired him, Howard calls offensive coordinator Dave Christensen a great mentor.

"I believe that coach [Christensen] is a genuine good guy," Brown said. "I really take what he says to heart on matters both on and off the field and I respect what he has to say, especially since I want to coach football back in St. Louis next year."

It's hard for Brown to recall a time when he wasn't going to be a Missouri Tiger. Growing up in St. Louis, and attending Berkley High School, Brown thought that he could possibly end up at Mizzou.

"I really didn't know for sure where I was going to end up, but I knew that I wanted to attend a state school," Brown said. "That was really important to me so that my family and friends could come and see me play. I've never been too far away from my family so that was of utmost importance."

Howard, who weighs in at 291 pounds, has also given back to the football program by way of an all-sport record in the weight room. In the spring of 2002, Brown squat-lifted a record 700 pounds.

"I don't really know what was going through my mind at the time," Brown said. "It wasn't an easy thing to do, in fact it was extremely hard and I felt like I was going to pass out a couple times, but God pulled me through it."

In thinking forward to his senior season, Howard hopes to contribute to the team as much as he can.

"The biggest goal for me this season is to help the team achieve our goals of winning the Big 12 and getting to a bowl game," Brown said. "I plan on helping in any way that the team needs me."

Brown will be graduating with a degree in English in May and plans on going back to St. Louis to teach and coach football at his alma mater, Berkley High School.