Pennsylvania native Will Howard is bound for the NFL. His mom's invention might have helped him get there.
Pennsylvania native and Downingtown High School product Will Howard is fresh off a national football championship at Ohio State.
He's hoping to be one of the first quarterbacks picked in this weekend's NFL draft.
But his parents, Bob and Maureen, knew this day would be coming for a long time.
"From a young age, he always told me … 'Mom, I'm gonna play in the NFL someday,'" Maureen Howard said. "He just had that in his mind and was so determined."
"It's still kind of surreal," Bob Howard said. "We've enjoyed every level and every sport he's played … and all our kids, we just enjoy watching them do what they love to do."
At 6 feet 4 inches tall and 236 pounds, Will Howard has the tools to make it to the next level.
He's got the work ethic and the drive.
But like lots of high-level athletes, it all begins with a good night's sleep.
Will Howard received that at a young age, thanks to his mom.
Courtesy of Maureen and Bob Howard
"I would walk him in the jogging stroller all bundled up … through the neighborhood, and I'd roll it in the living room and he'd sleep for like three hours," Maureen Howard said. "Over time I was like, 'How can I simulate that environment in the crib?'"
"So I made this suit, and it worked like a charm, and Bob and I, we joked and said it's like a magic sleep suit," she said.
The Howards used Maureen's background as a pediatric physical therapist to create Baby Merlin's Magic Sleepsuit.
After success with Will and the rest of her children, Maureen Howard got them in the hands of friends with kids. Word spread about the sleep suit, and the rest is history.
"It grew very organically from there, and our kids got to see what it's like to build a business from a concept or an idea to a really bustling, booming business," Maureen Howard said.
The Howards sold the business in 2021, but that has allowed them more time to watch their son on his journey to becoming an NFL quarterback.
"Will often says, 'Mom, you're welcome for being a bad sleeper,'" Maureen Howard said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
17 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Noah Brown carted off field at Commanders minicamp. Jeremy Reaves gets extended, AP source says
Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown was carted off the field after getting injured during minicamp in Ashburn, Virginia, on Wednesday. It was not immediately clear what happened to cause the injury or its extent. Reporters in attendance reported Brown walked off slowly after making a catch, threw his helmet in frustration when he reached the sideline and was carted up the hill to the practice facility.
San Francisco Chronicle
18 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Action! Jets using helmet-mounted cameras to help Justin Fields and the other QBs improve
FLORHAM PARK, N.J. (AP) — There's a new addition to the New York Jets ' huddles this offseason. And it's not just the quarterback. The team is using video cameras attached to the top of the helmets of Justin Fields and fellow QBs Tyrod Taylor, Adrian Martinez and Brady Cook throughout organized team activities and the Jets' three-day minicamp this week. The purpose is to record every aspect of the play, from the quarterback getting the play, taking the snap, going through his reads and finishing. Then, the players and coaches can closely review the footage — and make director's cuts to the plays and the playbook. 'Yeah, it's kind of cool,' Fields said Wednesday. 'It's my first time ever doing it, but it's definitely cool just basically kind of hearing the play call again and kind of just going through, making sure you're just doing everything within the process of the play. So yeah, I like the GoPro a lot.' Using technology to measure progress is far from a new concept in the NFL, with several teams incorporating cameras, GPS systems and virtual reality in training, something the Jets did several years ago. Miami quarterback Tua Tagovailoa has used a helmet-mounted video camera and Minnesota also used them on its QBs last season. Jets coach Aaron Glenn was with Detroit when the Lions used GoPros and he and his staff, including offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand and quarterbacks coach Charles London, thought it might be useful with a new set of signal callers in New York. 'We said, let's give it a shot in rookie minicamp and see what it looks like, and then we loved it and we just said, let's just do it,' Engstrand said. "Everybody's doing it the whole time and it's been phenomenal for those guys. It gives direct feedback. Shoot, the O-line coach is in there watching the tape with his O-line, you know what I mean? 'Because you can hear everything — you can hear the calls. It's been really beneficial for us.' One of the knocks on Fields during his first four NFL seasons has been that he sometimes holds onto the football too long, leading to sacks and interceptions. The GoPros can be used as a tool to help offset and improve that shortcoming while allowing Fields and the rest of the quarterbacks to understand what they're seeing and hearing — and how it's translating on the field. 'Instead of trying to guess, 'Where did your eyes start?' we'll go back and watch it,' London said. 'You can see where his eyes started and you can see how he went in his progression.' It also helps the wide receivers, running backs, tight ends and offensive line get more familiar with the quarterback's cadence while watching the recorded video and audio. And everyone can hear every on-field comment, too, leading to some laughs. 'They only turn it on when you're actually on the field,' Fields said before grinning. 'But, I mean, some funny things have definitely been said and they've definitely been picked up, for sure.' That might take some getting used to for some players, but Engstrand said all the quarterbacks were open to the idea. "We didn't have to convince them of anything because they look at it and they go, 'This is a way for me to improve,' and that's what they're all here to do," Engstrand said. 'They're all here to find a way to get better and help contribute to the team and get us some more wins on the board. So, there was no convincing needed there.' Fields, a first-round draft pick in Chicago in 2021 who spent last season in Pittsburgh, has previously spoken about using his past experiences to help improve on and off the field. He's heading into this season as the Jets' starting quarterback and plans to gather some of his offensive teammates for throwing sessions during the break before training camp next month. 'I kind of had a feeling when I got here guys were looking for a leader to step up on offense,' Fields said. 'So, I was glad to receive that role and, of course, pushing the guys each and every day to be our best and play up to our standard.' And Fields has been doing exactly that — and his work on the film has gotten rave reviews. 'The biggest takeaway I would say is that this guy is just a workaholic,' Engstrand said. 'He comes in early, he's here late and he's trying to digest everything and download all the information and do things the right way. He's trying to do things that we're asking and I think he's really put the next foot forward every day, just trying to stack days, and it's been really good.' ___
Associated Press
19 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Noah Brown carted off field at Commanders minicamp. Jeremy Reaves gets extended, AP source says
Washington Commanders wide receiver Noah Brown was carted off the field after getting injured during minicamp in Ashburn, Virginia, on Wednesday. It was not immediately clear what happened to cause the injury or its extent. Reporters in attendance reported Brown walked off slowly after making a catch, threw his helmet in frustration when he reached the sideline and was carted up the hill to the practice facility. Brown, who caught Jayden Daniels' desperation pass against Chicago for one of the Commanders' signature moments last season, missed the final four games of last season and their playoff run to the NFC championship game with a kidney injury. He re-signed on a one-year deal worth up to $4.5 million. Washington also took care of some longer-term business Wednesday, signing safety and special teams ace Jeremy Reaves to a one-year extension through the 2026 NFL season, according to a person with knowledge of the move. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because the team did not announce the deal. 'Grateful for the journey, the fans, this team and organization,' Reaves posted on social media. 'Much more in store!' Reaves, now 28, was an All-Pro selection on special teams in 2022. He missed the majority of 2023 after getting sidelined by a torn ACL five games into that season. ___ AP NFL:
