Former Gardendale running back Jordan Howard sported a UAB hat on Feb. 6, 2013 for National Signing Day. Nearly four years later, he’s been invited to his first Pro Bowl as a rookie for the Chicago Bears. 

It’s been a memorable rookie season for Jordan Howard.

The former Gardendale High School student-athlete decided to forego his senior season at Indiana, declaring for last year’s NFL Draft. Howard, a 6-foot, 222-pound running back for the Chicago Bears, has transitioned nicely to professional football… to say the least.

“It’s hard to project success sometimes as far as the NFL goes, but all of us coaches knew that he was a special kid and player,” said Gardendale assistant football coach Ryan Keedy.

With 1,313 yards rushing and six touchdowns, Howard has been invited to the 2017 Pro Bowl—an annual exhibition game featuring the top 88 players (44 from the AFC and 44 from the NFC) in the league. Players are determined by the consensus votes of fans, players and coaches.

He will replace Cardinals running back David Johnson, who must sit out due to a knee injury, on the NFC roster.

His 1,313 rushing yards ranked second in the NFL behind Dallas Cowboys rookie Ezekiel Elliott. Howard also added 29 receptions for 298 yards and one receiving touchdown.

Keedy, who often shares a congratulatory post-game text message with Howard, is proud of the record-setting season he’s carefully watched from afar.

“If you think back to before the season started, he was third on the depth chart. Because of that and some injuries to the other guys that were listed ahead of him, he didn’t start until Week 4 of the year,” said Keedy. “So for him to do what he did, as far as the setting the Bears’ rookie rushing record in only 13 games, is pretty impressive.”

“I think he is a guy that has spent his whole life flying under the radar. Even during the draft party, we kept seeing running backs get taken that we all knew couldn’t be as good as Jordan. But again, even going back to high school, he’s been under the radar,” Keedy continued.

Staying under the radar could be tough for Howard moving forward, however. The former Rocket is the latest Chicago rookie to be named to the Pro Bowl since offensive lineman Kyle Long in 2013. He and Gale Sayers are the only first-year running backs to receive the prestigious invite in Bears’ franchise history.

Keedy anticipates much of the same from Howard in the future.

“As far as what kind of kid he is, you would be hard-pressed to find a better one,” said Keedy. “He is a quiet guy. Even when he talks, he’s not very loud. Very low key. But he works his tail off at every aspect of the game. He is the picture of a lead-by-example guy. That’s the way he plays too. You probably won’t see him screaming and yelling and all that. But you will see him just keeping pounding away and getting the job done.”

Erik Harris is the Sports Editor of The North Jefferson News. Email him at njnsports@gmail.com or follow him on Twitter @jeharris2.