Dwight Howard couldn’t wait to get out of Houston and test free agency this summer. The Howard-Harden marriage just never worked in H-Town, and it was time for a change of scenery. The 30-year-old had a lot of suitors this off-season, but ended up inking a 3-year, $70.5 million deal with his hometown squad, the Atlanta Hawks. Before news got out, the ATL native decided to play a prank on his mom, Sheryl Howard about his next playing destination.
Howard joined the “Doug Gottlieb Show” on CBS Radio to explain the prank.
“I wanted to see her reaction, so I told her, I said, ‘Mom, I just got this big contract, $150 million.’ And she was like, ‘Oh my God, from who?’ I said, “Utah Jazz,” and she started crying. And I said, ‘Mom, sorry, I was just joking, I’m coming home to Atlanta.’ And then she was super happy and my family was super excited.”
It’s been a successful homecoming for Howard and the Hawks this season, as they are off to an 8-2 start collectively, and the former number one pick is averaging nearly 15 points and 12 rebounds per game. I’m sure Sheryl Howard is happy to have her son home, playing in front of other friends and family.
Moral of the story, never prank your mom.