The way Desmond Howard was introduced to Week 4’s edition of College GameDay made it seem uncertain whether the former Heisman winner would join the cast and crew live from Norman, Oklahoma, on Saturday.
As Rece Davis welcomed Kirk Herbstreit, Lee Corso, Nick Saban, and Pat McAfee for the next three hours, he saved Howard for last. That’s only because Howard was to his right as he went in order of seating arrangements, but he wanted to note that Howard was playing hurt Saturday.
The 54-year-old Howard was seemingly a game-time decision, but he’s active for Saturday’s College GameDay.
“Desmond Howard, who is playing hurt today, Pat,” Davis said as he tossed it over to McAfee.
“Yeah, actually in the hospital yesterday battling a back issue,” said McAfee. “We wanted to let you know that we appreciate you making the trip.”
Desmond Howard (back injury) was a game-time decision, but he’s in Norman for College GameDay. 🏈📺🎙️ pic.twitter.com/ZPwTvEImgs
— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) September 21, 2024
It’s unclear if Howard making the trip was in question, whether he was ailing from his back injury while in Norman or his native Miami. What’s clear is that he was ready to go and perhaps fight through some pain to make it through Saturday’s show.
He’s an integral part of the operation, after all.
Back injuries are no fun, no matter what number your age begins with or how many years you played football both collegiately and professionally. That said, back injuries are a universal equalizer, indifferent to age, accolades, or the number of years you’ve spent dodging linebackers and running routes.
After all, in the world of live television, as in football, you play hurt, you play smart and if you’re Desmond Howard, you play with style, even if it’s with a slight grimace.
About Sam Neumann
Since the beginning of 2023, Sam has been a staff writer for Awful Announcing and The Comeback. A 2021 graduate of Temple University, Sam is a Charlotte native, who currently calls Greenville, South Carolina his home. He also has a love/hate relationship with the New York Mets and Jets.