Dolphins’ Xavien Howard teaches kids football at annual youth football camp at Wheatley High School

Xavien Howard of the Miami Dolphins recently held an annual youth football camp at Wheatley High School, where he provided football knowledge and motivational messages to 150 kids.

The school is where he was a part of formidable defensive back in tandem with Washington Commander’s cornerback William Jackson III. He was joined by the Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen Waddle, and defensive tackle Raekwon Davis. Check out the top sports betting sites for betting on the NFL.

Although he taught football to the kids, Howard still emphasized the importance of good education and having options in life besides sports.

“That’s the most important thing is education,” he said. “The knowledge, they can’t take that from you. Not everybody can be a football player. Everybody wants the football, basketball, be a rapper, stuff like that, but there’s other stuff out there.”

To him, the decisions he made had shown results. He earned respect from his friends and the community.

“Man, I’m just looking around, seeing all the kids coming out, and it’s a great environment with everybody having and great energy,” Davis said. “I love to see this. Xavien is my teammate, he’s my brother. He’s got my back just like I have his back.

Check out the top sportsbook bonuses for betting on the NFL

1.

4.6/5

FanDuel Promo Code

New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days

USA Players Welcome

Wagering (WR): New Users – Bet $5 Get $200 in Bet Reset Tokens for 5 Days. (Up to $1,000 Bet Reset Tokens)

Open FanDuel

Get bonus now

Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET. Call 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT). Hope is here. GamblingHelplineMA.org or call (800) 327-5050 for 24/7 support (MA). Visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD). Call 1-877-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). 21+ (18+ DC, IA, KY, WV) only. New users only or text HOPENY (467369) (NY). Casino, First online real money wager only. $5 first deposit required. Min $5 wager required for 5 consecutive days. Bonus issued as non-withdrawable Bet Reset tokens. Refund from token issued as nonwithdrawable bonus bet that expire 7 days after receipt. Max refund $200 per day. Restrictions apply, including token expiration. See full terms at fanduel.com/sportsbook. Call 1-877-770-7867 (LA).

2.

4.5/5

BetMGM Promo Code

Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win

USA Players Welcome

Min. Deposit: $5

Open BetMGM

Get bonus now

Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET (Available in the US) 877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY) 1-800-327-5050 (MA), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ only. Please Gamble Responsibly. See BetMGM.com for Terms. First Bet Offer for new customers only (if applicable). Subject to eligibility requirements. Bonus bets are non-withdrawable. In partnership with Kansas Crossing Casino and Hotel. Promotional offers not available in Mississippi, New York, Ontario, or Puerto Rico.

3.

4.5/5

DraftKings Promo Code

New DraftKings Customers: Spend $5+ Get $150 in Bonus Bets *Paid Within 14 Days

USA Players Welcome

Min. Deposit: 5

Open DraftKings

Get bonus now

GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER or 1-800-MY-RESET, (800) 327-5050 or visit gamblinghelplinema.org (MA). Please Gamble Responsibly. 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org (CT), or visit www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), 1-800-981-0023 (PR). 21+ and present in most states. (18+ DC/NH/PR/WY). Void in CAN. Eligibility restrictions apply. On behalf of Boot Hill Casino (KS). Pass-thru of per wager tax may apply in IL. 1 per new DraftKings customer. $5+ first-time bet req. Max. $150 issued as non-withdrawable Bonus Bets that expire in 7 days after issuance. Stake removed from payout. Reward issued as $50 in Bonus Bets every 7 days via click-to-claim for 14 days. 7 days = 168hrs. Terms: sportsbook.draftkings.com/promos. Ends 8/23/26 at 11:59 PM ET. Sponsored by DK.

4.

4.2/5

Fanatics Promo Code

10 x $100 bet match in FanCash

USA Players Welcome

Open Fanatics

Get bonus now

Must be 21+. GAMBLING PROBLEM? CALL 1-800-GAMBLER OR CALL 1-800-MY-RESET, www.mdgamblinghelp.org (MD), (800)-327-5050 or gamblinghelplinema.org (MA), Call (877)8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), (888) 789-7777 or ccpg.org (CT), morethanagame.nc.gov (NC), 1800gambler.net (WV)

5.

Caesars Promo Code

Bet $1 and get double the winnings up to $25 for your next 10 bets

USA Players Welcome

Wagering (WR): 1x Deposit

Best Alternative

Open FanDuel

21+ New users only. Must register using eligible promo code. First bet after registration must qualify. Max. Bonus Bet: $1,000. Bonus Bet expires 14 days after receipt. Void where prohibited. See Caesars.com/promos for full terms. Gambling Problem? 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537)

Howard was scarred and toughened by his childhood experiences as he witnessed violent crimes in the Fifth Ward, a hardscrabble community filled with poverty and addiction issues where he grew up in.

When Howard was an elementary student, he witnessed a shooting on the railroad tracks and was spotted by the gunman while playing basketball outside. That event traumatized him and his family, making Howard extremely determined to make it out of that environment as well as becoming more serious about football and academics.

The aforementioned shooter was aware that Howard saw him do it. As a result, Howard’s mother sent him to live with his grandmother for a few months before the authorities captured the shooter.

“Man it’s been a crazy journey,” he said. “Stuff I saw, it made me numb to a lot of stuff. I feel like a kid shouldn’t see that or go through that, but I took that, and it motivated me to get away from here.”

Restructuring contract

Howard went on to earn a scholarship to Baylor University and became an elite NFL defensive player. He earned three Pro Bowl selections, led the NFL in interceptions twice, and received a five-year, $90 million contract this spring.

He became the first corner in NFL history to have a fully guaranteed five-year contract. Howard is also the first NFL player to have his contract restructured completely, having both four years and three years remaining in his original deals.

Last year, Howard requested a trade-out of a contract dispute. The Dolphins eventually reworked his contract to make him the highest-paid corner in the league in 2021.

“I would say money is not everything to me personally,” he said. “I like people, the character they show. Money only gets you so far in life. The person, being the genuine person, the love you have for people, that’s what I care about. Money, it’s going to come. It’s just really how you treat people.”