Howard Green (American football)

Howard Green Jr. (born January 12, 1979) is a former American football nose tackle who played professionally in the National Football League (NFL). He was selected by the Houston Texans in the sixth round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He played college football at Louisiana State University for the LSU Tigers football team.

Green was also a member of the Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, Seattle Seahawks, New York Jets, Washington Redskins, and Green Bay Packers, with whom he won Super Bowl XLV against the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Early life
Green played high school football at Donaldsonville High School in Donaldsonville, Louisiana as a two-way lineman. He accumulated 72 tackles and eight sacks his junior year in 1996 and 105 tackles and 10 sacks his senior year in 1997. He earned All-State honors both seasons.

College career
Green first played college football at Southwest Mississippi Community College from 1998 to 1999.

He transferred to play for the LSU Tigers from 2000 to 2001. He played in 10 games, starting eight, during the 2000 regular season, He played in the 2000 Peach Bowl as well. Green had 39 tackles (18 of which were solo), one sack and one fumble recovery that year. He recorded 38 tackles and three sacks his senior season in 2001.

Houston Texans (first stint)
Green was selected by the Houston Texans in the sixth round of the 2002 NFL Draft. He officially signed with the team on June 20, 2002. He was waived on September 2, 2002.

Baltimore Ravens
On September 3, 2002, Green was signed off waivers by the Baltimore Ravens. He played in one game for the Ravens in 2002, recording no statistics, before being released on October 29, 2002.

Houston Texans (second stint)
Green was signed to the practice squad of the Texans on October 31, 2002. He was promoted to the active roster on December 18, 2002. He became a free agent after the 2002 season. Green re-signed with the Texans on March 24, 2003. He was waived/injured on August 26 and reverted to injured reserve the next day. He was waived by the Texans on August 29, 2003.

New Orleans Saints
On September 30, 2003, Green was signed to the practice squad of the New Orleans Saints. He was promoted to the active roster on December 6, 2003 and played in four games for the Saints during the 2003 season, recording one pass breakup. He appeared in 14 games, starting a career-high 12 games, in 2004, totaling 18 solo tackles, 10 assisted tackles and one forced fumble. Green became a free agent after the season and re-signed with the Saints on March 9, 2005. He was waived on September 2, 2005.

Miami Dolphins
Green signed a reserve/future contract with the Miami Dolphins on January 5, 2006. He was waived by the Dolphins on August 29, 2006.

Minnesota Vikings
Green was signed by the Minnesota Vikings on May 8, 2007. He was waived on September 1, 2007.

Seattle Seahawks
On October 16, 2007, Green signed with the Seattle Seahawks. He played in five games for the Seahawks in 2007, accumulating four solo tackles and three assisted tackles. He also played in two playoff games in 2007, making one solo tackle and two assisted tackles.

He appeared in 13 games in 2008, recording 17 solo tackles, four assisted tackles, one sack and one forced fumble.

New York Jets (first stint)
Green signed with the New York Jets on March 16, 2009. He was released on October 17 but re-signed on October 20, 2009. Overall, he played in 12 games in 2009, totaling 16 solo tackles and seven assisted tackles. He also appeared in two playoff games for the Jets in 2009, accumulating one solo tackle and two assisted tackles.

Washington Redskins
Green was signed to a one-year deal by the Washington Redskins on April 19, 2010. It was expected that he would compete for the starting job at nose tackle. However, Green was released from the Redskins on September 4, 2010.

New York Jets (second stint)
On September 15, 2010, following a season-ending injury to Kris Jenkins, the Jets re-signed Green to back up new starter Sione Pouha. Green was released on September 30 but re-signed on October 4. However, he was waived on October 26, 2010. Overall, he played in two games for the Jets in 2010, recording one solo tackle and ond forced fumble.

Green Bay Packers
Green was claimed off waivers by the Green Bay Packers on October 27, 2010. Green was signed in an effort to boost the Packers' injury-depleted defensive line. Green appeared in nine games, starting three, for the Packers during the 2010 regular season, totaling six solo tackles, two assisted tackles and one sack.

He also played in three playoff games, all starts for the Packers in 2010, recording one assisted tackle. In Super Bowl XLV against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Green was able to hit quarterback Ben Roethlisberger's arm, forcing an interception that was returned for a touchdown. The Packers eventually won the game 31–25.

Green appeared in a career-high 16 games, starting five, for the Packers in 2011, totaling three solo tackles and eight assisted tackles. He became a free agent after the 2011 season.

Personal life
Green is the cousin of former NFL defensive end Jarvis Green and former NFL wide receiver Skyler Green.