Former Estacado Matador & Oakland Raider Linebacker Thomas Howard Killed in Accident

Former Oakland Raiders, and Cincinnati Bengals, linebacker Thomas Howard (pictured celebrating a Bengals victory in 2011) was killed in a high-speed crash in Oakland on Monday.  California Bay Area television station KRON reports that Howard was driving a BMW sedan more than 100 mph at the time of the multi-car accident.

According to the California Highway Patrol, Howard's BMW struck the back of a semi while he was driving on Highway 880. After striking the semi, Howard's BMW then became airborne and crossed the median into the southbound lanes.  The BMW struck two vehicles, killing the driver in one of the vehicles.

The 30-year old Howard was born and raised in Lubbock and was the son of former NFL player Thomas Howard.

He played for Estacado High School before becoming a walk-on at UTEP in 2002. Howard then earned a scholarship and was a starter at UTEP in 2004 & '05. He was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in 2006 and played for the Raiders from 2006-2010. Howard moved on to the Cincinnati Bengals for the 2011 & 2012 seasons. He was signed earlier this season by the Atlanta Falcons but was released last week on November 12th.