Today in Wheeling History: November 4--Chuck Howley, a native of Wheeling and alumnus of Warwood High School, known for his exceptional athleticism and contributions to the Dallas Cowboys' "Doomsday Defense," had his number 66 retired by West Virginia University (2023).
Charles Louis "Chuck" Howley, born on June 28, 1936, in Wheeling, West Virginia, is celebrated as one of the most versatile athletes in West Virginia University (WVU) history. Howley attended Warwood High School in Wheeling, where he excelled in football, basketball, and baseball, earning All-State honors in football. He continued his athletic career at WVU, where he became the only athlete in school history to letter in five sports: football, track, wrestling, gymnastics, and swimming. Howley was a three-time All-Southern Conference selection and the Southern Conference Athlete of the Year in 1957.
After college, Howley was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 1958 NFL Draft. He later joined the Dallas Cowboys, where he became a key player in the "Doomsday Defense." Howley was named the MVP of Super Bowl V, making him the only player from a losing team to receive this honor. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2023. On November 4, 2023, WVU retired his number 66 during a ceremony at a home game against BYU, honoring his remarkable contributions to the university and the sport.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://shorturl.at/jzlmp); WVU Sports Now (https://shorturl.at/7ZArH), Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/4aunnxpz), Sports Illustrated (https://tinyurl.com/nhhwwpfx), WV Metro News (https://tinyurl.com/228sw7jm)
Photo credits: West Virginia University
Charles Louis "Chuck" Howley, born on June 28, 1936, in Wheeling, West Virginia, is celebrated as one of the most versatile athletes in West Virginia University (WVU) history. Howley attended Warwood High School in Wheeling, where he excelled in football, basketball, and baseball, earning All-State honors in football. He continued his athletic career at WVU, where he became the only athlete in school history to letter in five sports: football, track, wrestling, gymnastics, and swimming. Howley was a three-time All-Southern Conference selection and the Southern Conference Athlete of the Year in 1957.
After college, Howley was drafted by the Chicago Bears in the first round of the 1958 NFL Draft. He later joined the Dallas Cowboys, where he became a key player in the "Doomsday Defense." Howley was named the MVP of Super Bowl V, making him the only player from a losing team to receive this honor. He was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2023. On November 4, 2023, WVU retired his number 66 during a ceremony at a home game against BYU, honoring his remarkable contributions to the university and the sport.
To learn more: Ohio County Public Library Archives, Wheeling WV (https://shorturl.at/jzlmp); WVU Sports Now (https://shorturl.at/7ZArH), Wikipedia (https://tinyurl.com/4aunnxpz), Sports Illustrated (https://tinyurl.com/nhhwwpfx), WV Metro News (https://tinyurl.com/228sw7jm)
Photo credits: West Virginia University
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