MISSOURI CITY, Texas — Ridge Point High School graduate and college football player Terrance 'T' Howard passed away on Thursday in North Carolina in the hospital, where he had been since the crash that injured him.
Howard was a 2022 graduate of Ridge Point High School in Missouri City where he was described as a "shining star and dedicated athlete." He played as a walk-on at the University of Alabama before transferring to North Carolina Central University where he received a full-ride scholarship.
Howard was moving his belongings from Alabama to Durham when he was involved in a traffic accident. When got out of his vehicle to check on the other motorist, Howard was struck by a car.
"When he was picked up, he didn't have ID on him so he was considered a John Doe. He was taken to one hospital and transferred to another," Brooke Tigtig, the mother of Howard's girlfriend, told us earlier this week. "So I think it took some time for them to be able to contact his parents."
Howard and his girlfriend were high school sweethearts so the family had known him for years.
"He wins people over right off the bat," Doug Tigtig said. "Respectful, super funny, just life of the party, laughing all the time kind of guy."
They were praying for a miracle for the young man known as "T."
"If anyone deserves a miracle, it is Terrance Howard, it is T," Brooke said.
Howard's family had started a GoFundMe because they were hoping to bring him back to Houston for specialized treatment. It had raised over $43,000.
Bu Brooke Tigtig said Howard died Thursday night.
She said the family is grateful for all of the prayers and support from people all over, including former Alabama Coach Nick Saban.