Ron Howard, a standout athlete from Pasco High School, excelled on the field, the court, the track, and in the classroom. In high school, he was an All-Conference football selection, an All-Conference, All-State, and All-American basketball selection, and the state champion in the triple jump. In 1970, he was named First Team All-State and First Team All-American in basketball after leading his team to the state championship game, falling in overtime to Snohomish for their only loss of the season.

Ron attended Seattle University, where he was a two-year starting forward on the basketball team. Despite receiving an offer to play professionally in France, he chose a path that would make an even bigger impact. Without having played a single college football game, Ron was drafted by the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys. He went on to play six seasons in the NFL, suiting up for the Dallas Cowboys (1974–75), the Seattle Seahawks (1976–78), and the Buffalo Bills (1979). He appeared in Super Bowl X with the Cowboys and caught the touchdown pass that helped the Seahawks secure their first franchise victory.

Beyond his playing career, Ron committed himself to education and coaching. He served as an administrative intern at the middle school level and coached multiple sports, including boys’ basketball, football, and girls’ track, leaving a lasting influence on student-athletes.