Former Mountaineer Chuck Howley Earns Election to Pro Football Hall of Fame

It may have taken a long time for it to happen, but Pro Football Hall of Famer can finally be placed in front of Chuck Howley’s name.

Howley was announced as a Seniors candidate in the class of 2023 at the NFL Honors ceremony on Thursday night. The former Mountaineer has now achieved football immortality 50 years after he last played in the NFL in 1973.

Mountaineer. Pro Football Hall of Famer.

Chuck Howley gets the call! 🙌#PFHOF23 | #HailWV https://t.co/hmLIdiZsa9

— West Virginia Football (@WVUfootball) February 10, 2023

A native of Wheeling, West Virginia, Howley played football (and other sports) at WVU in the mid to late 1950’s before being drafted with the number 11 overall pick by the Chicago Bears in 1958. After two season in Chicago, Howley found his way to the Cowboys, the franchise he would be most associated with spend the rest of his career. In Dallas, Howley became a five-time All-Pro and six-time Pro Bowler.

Howley also stands as the answer to the trivia question of being the only player to ever win Super Bowl MVP in a losing effort. He did so in Super Bowl V, a game Dallas lost to Johnny Unitas and Baltimore Colts. Howley, however, would claim a Super Bowl championship the next year in Super Bowl VI.

Howley will become the third WVU player to earn enshrinement in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, joining Sam Huff and Joe Stydahar.