James Thomas Howard, Sr. (born August 18, 1954) is a former American football linebacker from Texas Tech University, who played nine seasons in the National Football League. His son, Thomas Howard, played in the NFL as a linebacker for the Oakland Raiders, Cincinnati Bengals and Atlanta Falcons. The elder Howard wore the jersey number #52 for the Kansas City Chiefs and #59 for the St. Louis Cardinals. He returned 3 fumble recoveries for touchdowns: one in 1980 against the Denver Broncos, one in 1981 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, and one in 1984 against the New England Patriots.