Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
Ex-Owls to get their chance
It was a typical Saturday night for former Florida Atlantic running back Gregory Howell Jr.
He was home studying for an exam and finishing up another assignment. The ordinary experience got surreal when he received a phone call around 7 p.m.
On the other end was the Miami Dolphins. Howell and kicker Greg Joseph both received the call that they would become the first FAU players in history to sign with the Dolphins as undrafted rookie free agents.
“When they called, I was like ‘Oh, shoot,’ ” Howell said. “It still hasn’t hit me. It hasn’t sunk in. It probably won’t until I walk in the Dolphins facility and put on the team colors.”
Last year, Howell rushed for 740 yards in a backup role and finished his career with 2,419 yards and 22 touchdowns. He heard from the Dolphins only once and wasn’t sure if any NFL teams were interested.
“Honestly, I really didn’t know,” Howell said. “There were a couple teams calling me. I didn’t know what to expect.”
About the only unfortunate part of the experience was his mother, Merdie Lane, having to wait a few hours before hugging him. She was working at American Airlines Arena at the time.
“When I called her, she was trying to get off work fast as she could and hurry home,” Howell said. “I mean, she was trying to fly home. But once I saw her face, to see that smile on her face, that just made me so
happy. She was probably more excited than I was.”
Joseph, who holds nearly every FAU kicking record, spent the nerve-wracking day at his agent’s office at Pro Player Sports in Fort Lauderdale. He had been in contact with the Dolphins, developing a relationship with special teams coach Darren Rizzi after attending their Pro Day.
Joseph immediately phoned his parents, Illana and Glen, once he heard the news and then headed to their home in Delray Beach.
“They were ecstatic once I walked in the door,” said Joseph, who played at American Heritage-Delray. “It was hard to believe that all the culmination came together. At the end of the day, it makes it worth everything I’ve done.”
What makes it even more special is both players are getting the chance to further their careers in South Florida around family. Joseph specifically chose FAU because he wanted to stay close to home. Howell grew up in Coral Gables.
“When you go away to college, sometimes you miss a lot at home,” Joseph said. “Getting a chance with the Dolphins just makes all this sweeter.”
Joseph was set to continue pursuing an MBA in health administration. He figured he’d travel this summer and then finish the remaining three courses until those plans changed.
“It absolutely beats the alternative,” Joseph said. “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’m just excited to even get the chance to go through the process.”
Howell is also finishing up a degree in business management and accounting. If he hadn’t heard from an NFL team, he said he still wasn’t ready for the corporate world.
“If the NFL didn’t work, I was going to take a shot in the CFL,” Howell said. “I’m not ready to give up football yet. I wasn’t going to give up that easy.”
Both players will report to rookie camp May 11 knowing they will face challenging odds. Still, it’s better than the thought of beginning life after football.
“It’s going to be a kicker battle and competition as it always is,” Joseph said. “I know if I just keep making kicks, hopefully it turns into the next opportunity. All I can do is control what I can control.”
“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I’m just excited to even get the chance to go through the process.” Greg Joseph, FAU kicker