NFL fans received sobering news Thursday when one of the league's most respected insiders announced he's stepping away from the beat for the foreseeable future. Jeff Howe of The Athletic revealed he's been privately fighting a serious health issue for the past 18 months and will take time off for more aggressive treatment.
Howe, who cut his teeth covering the New England Patriots from 2009 to 2021, became a national NFL insider for The Athletic in 2018 after earning widespread acclaim for his coverage of Bill Belichick, Tom Brady, and the Patriots' dynasty. His dogged reporting and sharp analysis made him a must-follow for football fans across the country.
In an emotional social media post, Howe opened up about his decision. "I've been privately battling a serious health issue for the past year and a half, and I've made a difficult but necessary decision to take time away from work for more aggressive treatment," he wrote. "My hope is to return before the end of the regular season, but I'm not thinking much about that at the moment. Right now, I just need to get better."
Howe acknowledged he's previously been candid about health battles and apologized for being coy this time around. He promised to share more when he's ready but asked for support in the meantime. "I'll eagerly welcome any encouraging thoughts, prayers, vibes or whatever else you can send my way," he said. "This has been the most difficult year of my life, and I can't be too proud to ask for your support. I've always been a fighter, and I need to keep swinging."
The news hit Howe's colleagues hard, with an outpouring of support from across the NFL media landscape. Kevin Clark of Omaha Productions called Howe "a good dude who deserves all of our good vibes, prayers and thoughts," adding, "We are all rooting for you man." Yahoo's Josh Norris, the San Francisco Standard's David Lombardi, and NFL writer Tyler Dunne also shared heartfelt messages, with Dunne writing, "Praying hard for you, Jeff. Always here to chat if you need anybody. God bless."
Howe's situation is a reminder of the human toll behind the NFL's relentless news cycle. It also echoes other recent health scares that have shaken the football world, such as Todd Bowles' health scare that sparked concern among Bucs fans, and the alarm over Pam Oliver's health during a Sunday broadcast. These moments underscore that the people who bring us the game are not immune to life's toughest battles.
For now, Howe's focus is squarely on recovery. He ended his message with a simple plea: "Take care of yourselves. I'll be back soon." The entire Sports Central News team joins the football community in wishing him a full and speedy recovery.
