Desmond Howard Net Worth: How the Michigan Legend and Heisman Winner Built His Fortune
Desmond Howard is recognized as one of the most iconic athletes in college football history, with a net worth estimated at around $14 million in 2025. The former Michigan Wolverines superstar has leveraged the success he achieved in college and the NFL into a robust financial foundation.
Of Howard’s net worth, there are two primary sources, namely his quality NFL career and his present position as a college football analyst for ESPN.
While Howard has grown and maintained a considerable net worth over the last two decades as a popular fixture, he first amassed his fortune during his remarkable college career at the University of Michigan.
In 1991, he won the prestigious Heisman Trophy with the second-largest margin of victory at that time. His junior season statistics were astonishing too, as Howard scored 19 touchdown receptions out of 61 catches totaling 960 yards, and 165 rushing yards with 2 rushing touchdowns.
Desmond Howard electrified his fans in a way that helped Michigan win the Big Ten Championship and also earned him three awards in addition to the Heisman Trophy: the Walter Camp Award and the Maxwell Award.
When he was selected 4th overall in the NFL Draft by the Washington Redskins in 1992, his exceptional college career converted instantly to NFL dollar signs.
During a 10-year career in the NFL, Howard played for 5 different franchises, including the Washington Redskins, Jacksonville Jaguars, Green Bay Packers, Oakland Raiders, and Detroit Lions.
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Desmond Howard’s Super Bowl Legacy
Howard’s career reached its peak during Super Bowl XXXI in Green Bay. Howard was recognized as the first and only special teams player to receive Super Bowl MVP after his performance against New England.
As a result of winning a Super Bowl MVP, endorsement opportunities and speaking engagements became available to him that elevated his salary earnings to a whole new level.
“I didn’t know if I was ever gonna be able to throw a football, the way I did before again.”
After retiring in 2002, Howard transitioned straight into sports media. Howard has been in broadcasting for more than 20 years now, and his likeness has probably become one of the most recognizable subjects in college football media due to shows such as ESPN’s College GameDay.
