Today in Wheeling History: Today in Wheeling History: June 28--Chuck Howley was born in Wheeling, later becoming a legendary NFL linebacker best known for being a six-time Pro Bowl selection, five-time first-team All-Pro, Super Bowl VI champion with the Dallas Cowboys, the only player from a losing team to be named Super Bowl MVP (in Super Bowl V), and a 2023 inductee into the Pro Football Hall of Fame (1936).
Chuck Howley, born on June 28, 1936 in Wheeling, West Virginia, had an illustrious football career that began in his hometown. He grew up at 112 N. 21st Street in Warwood, a neighborhood of Wheeling, in a Colonial Revival home built in 1915. Howley attended Corpus Christi Grade School, then Wheeling Central Catholic High School before transferring to Warwood High School, where he graduated in 1954 as an All-State football player. At West Virginia University, he became the only athlete in school history to letter in five sports: football, track, wrestling, gymnastics, and swimming.
During his time at WVU, Howley earned several notable awards. He was a three-time All-Southern Conference selection in football (1955-1957). In 1957, he was named the Southern Conference Athlete of the Year and received third-team All-American honors. Howley also won the Southern Conference one-meter diving championship in 1957.
Drafted seventh overall by the Chicago Bears in 1958, Howley's NFL career truly flourished with the Dallas Cowboys from 1961-1973. He earned six Pro Bowl selections, was named first-team All-Pro five times, and made history as the only player from a losing team to be named Super Bowl MVP (Super Bowl V). After retiring, Howley ran a uniform rental business in Dallas and raised foundation-bred quarter horses at his ranch in Wills Point, Texas. He currently resides in Dallas with his wife Nancy, whom he married on June 28, 1958.
Howley has received numerous honors since retirement, including induction into the West Virginia Sports Hall of Fame, WVU Athletics Hall of Fame, Ohio Valley Athletic Conference Hall of Fame, WVU Academy of Distinguished Alumni, Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor, and Texas Sports Hall of Fame. In 2023, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The City of Wheeling renamed the ball field at Garden Park to "Chuck Howley Field at Garden Park" and installed a welcome sign honoring him at the south entrance to Warwood. Additionally, West Virginia University retired his number 66 jersey on November 4, 2023. In recognition of his achievements, the City of Wheeling issued a proclamation designating June 28th as Chuck Howley Day.
Unfortunately, Howley currently suffers from late-stage dementia, which has affected his memory for the past eight years. Despite this diagnosis, his legacy continues to be celebrated in his hometown and throughout the football community.
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/ha357nkv) (https://tinyurl.com/ytap8jzr) (https://tinyurl.com/2tjfd22y) (https://tinyurl.com/mrxkcyh2) (https://tinyurl.com/bddvphjm) (https://tinyurl.com/muvyckv4) (https://tinyurl.com/2pbdkt5w) (https://tinyurl.com/ytjtpm47)
Photo Credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Wikimedia Commons, WVU Athletics Communications
Chuck Howley, born on June 28, 1936 in Wheeling, West Virginia, had an illustrious football career that began in his hometown. He grew up at 112 N. 21st Street in Warwood, a neighborhood of Wheeling, in a Colonial Revival home built in 1915. Howley attended Corpus Christi Grade School, then Wheeling Central Catholic High School before transferring to Warwood High School, where he graduated in 1954 as an All-State football player. At West Virginia University, he became the only athlete in school history to letter in five sports: football, track, wrestling, gymnastics, and swimming.
During his time at WVU, Howley earned several notable awards. He was a three-time All-Southern Conference selection in football (1955-1957). In 1957, he was named the Southern Conference Athlete of the Year and received third-team All-American honors. Howley also won the Southern Conference one-meter diving championship in 1957.
Drafted seventh overall by the Chicago Bears in 1958, Howley's NFL career truly flourished with the Dallas Cowboys from 1961-1973. He earned six Pro Bowl selections, was named first-team All-Pro five times, and made history as the only player from a losing team to be named Super Bowl MVP (Super Bowl V). After retiring, Howley ran a uniform rental business in Dallas and raised foundation-bred quarter horses at his ranch in Wills Point, Texas. He currently resides in Dallas with his wife Nancy, whom he married on June 28, 1958.
Howley has received numerous honors since retirement, including induction into the West Virginia Sports Hall of Fame, WVU Athletics Hall of Fame, Ohio Valley Athletic Conference Hall of Fame, WVU Academy of Distinguished Alumni, Dallas Cowboys Ring of Honor, and Texas Sports Hall of Fame. In 2023, he was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The City of Wheeling renamed the ball field at Garden Park to "Chuck Howley Field at Garden Park" and installed a welcome sign honoring him at the south entrance to Warwood. Additionally, West Virginia University retired his number 66 jersey on November 4, 2023. In recognition of his achievements, the City of Wheeling issued a proclamation designating June 28th as Chuck Howley Day.
Unfortunately, Howley currently suffers from late-stage dementia, which has affected his memory for the past eight years. Despite this diagnosis, his legacy continues to be celebrated in his hometown and throughout the football community.
To learn more: (https://tinyurl.com/ha357nkv) (https://tinyurl.com/ytap8jzr) (https://tinyurl.com/2tjfd22y) (https://tinyurl.com/mrxkcyh2) (https://tinyurl.com/bddvphjm) (https://tinyurl.com/muvyckv4) (https://tinyurl.com/2pbdkt5w) (https://tinyurl.com/ytjtpm47)
Photo Credits: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV; Wikimedia Commons, WVU Athletics Communications
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