Howard Fest Road to the pro’s

The word “entitlement” should not be part of an athlete’s vocabulary, but with the introduction of NIL, it has become a prevalent term.

Howard Fest, who played college ball for the Longhorns and Coach Royal in the mid-60s, never felt entitled. Howard’s football journey should inspire those who, in the present, quickly get frustrated, give up, and escape to the “portal” instead of persevering to grow into their positions.

I understand that Howard Fest played during a very different era of football expectations, but the principles of individual drive to succeed don’t change. Unlike today’s players, who often enter the transfer portal if they are not starting by their second year of college, Howard Fest never entertained the idea of leaving Texas for another college, but he could have. Unlike today’s players, who often enter the transfer portal if they are not starting by their second year of college, Howard Fest never entertained the idea of leaving Texas for another college, but he could have.

Howard Fest’s story exemplifies discipline, perseverance, and dedication to achieve his goals. After spending two seasons at tight end at Texas, Howard was moved to offensive tackle as a junior in 1966. He rarely left the bench that season and went into his senior year without winning a letter. However, during his three years of toiling, he finally EARNED the starting left tackle position as a 21-year-old senior in 1967 and helped pave the way for a Longhorn rushing attack led by running back Chris Gilbert and quarterback Bill Bradley. Howard’s senior year, he finally earned a letter and got his letter jacket.

Howard Fest was named to the second team of the All-Southwest Conference for his efforts and the Associated Press All-America honorable mention team.

Still, Fest’s senior season put him on the radar of pro football scouts. Longhorn offensive line coach Willie Zapalac put in good words for Fest with the Cincinnati Bengals, an AFL expansion team preparing to play its first season in 1968.

Howard is a good reminder—both then and today—that the NFL will take notice of talented players even if they don’t crack their team’s starting lineup until their senior year. Howard made it to the pros with a college work ethic that honed his skills and prepared him to succeed at the professional football level.

Fest started on the offensive line for Cincinnati, never missing a game and rarely missing a practice between 1971 and 1975. During the off-season, he was a substitute teacher in San Antonio. Let that sink in for a work ethic.

Howard Fest was never elected for the Pro Bowl or named to an All-Pro team, but he still had a longer career in pro football than many of his fellow Longhorns who were part of the three Longhorn national championship teams in the 1960s. Only Tommy Nobis and Diron Talbert, both of whom are in the UT Athletics Hall of Honor, had longer professional football careers than Howard Fest.

Interesting fact about Howard Fest Family tree.

Howard has a sister named Betty who  is  the mother of 1970s Longhorn linemen Dave and Les Studdard (who both played in the NFL), and the grandmother of Kasey Studdard, a 2004-06 offensive line stalwart with the Longhorns who likewise had an NFL career.