Above the blaring noise of Howard's marching band, rhythmic beats of the cheerleaders, popping of pads and roaring of the crowd, one sound provides comfort for Kenny Gallop.

He hears it each time no matter how high the decibel level is turned up in Greene Stadium.

Gallop feels it in his soul.

It's the one that provides that extra motivation.

"You will hear my mother with her cowbells," Gallop said. "Since I was a young boy, she has screamed in every game. Being able to depend on her is an amazing luxury. My parents are role models for me. None of this would have been possible without them."

Family is Gallop's foundation. They were the soothing presence Gallop needed growing up in Portsmouth, Virginia, a challenging environment in which sometimes many of the talented athletes don't get an opportunity to realize their potential.

"Where I'm from, there's a lot of negativity and it's simple to get sucked into it," Gallop said. "I was aware of my desire to stand out and serve as an example for children who were younger than me so that kept me focused.

"I treasure both of my parents dearly. I work so hard for my family because they give up so much for me and they helped me get to where I am now. Both of my parents are huge fans

but, my mother is my biggest supporter, which is one quality about her."

Gallop made his family proud this past season.

The 6-foot-1 inch junior defensive back enjoyed a 2022 campaign to cherish in helping Howard claim a share of the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championship for the first time since 1993. The First Team All-MEAC selection was second in the conference in tackles per game. Gallop also earned a spot on the prestigious 2022 Division I FCS All-Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) First Team.

"I set some goals for myself before the season, and conquering the MEAC title was one of them," Gallop said. "It meant so much to me to win the MEAC title. My teammates and I worked extremely hard, but it was rewarding.

"Being regarded as one of the elite MEAC players is a blessing. To receive these remarkable accolades, I had to make many sacrifices and work incredibly hard. Without my coaches and teammates, none of this would have been possible. They constantly challenged me to improve as a player."

Gallop was an elite playmaker and a leader.

Gallop finished with 93 tackles. He made at least six stops in every game. Gallop also had 7.5 tackles for loss. One of his best games was a season-best 16 tackles against Harvard. He broke up four passes, including two against Morgan State and forced a fumble against Yale.

Just think, there was a small chance that Gallop would've missed all the fun of the gridiron.

"Basketball and baseball were two sports I enjoyed growing up, but in the 10th grade, I decided to concentrate completely on football," Gallop said. "I started playing Pop Warner football at the age of 7. My father motivated me to take up football. I have many memories of scoring touchdowns as a child and throughout high school."

Now, the football world is grateful for Gallop's gifts.

The health science major has done plenty of community service, which has included at times picking up trash and servicing local churches. Gallop enjoys being part of something that's bigger than himself. A New England Patriots fan, Gallop's career goal is to open his own gym and coach various people.

Howard was also the only school to offer Gallop a scholarship.

"It's a blessing to be able to attend Howard," Gallop said. "It's fantastic to watch everyone work for their goals. It's wonderful to be able to connect with folks from all backgrounds. I've had a fabulous time at Howard. Even though my first year was entirely virtual, everything has been OK since then. I feel at home here because of the lovely atmosphere."

He's also at home on the football field especially after he hears the familiar ping of the cowbell.

Rob Knox is an award-winning professional. A member of the Lincoln (Pa.) Hall of Fame, Knox currently serves as the Senior Director of Strategic Communications for the Thurgood Marshall College Fund. Knox enjoyed a distinguished career as an athletics communicator for Lincoln, Kutztown, Coppin State, Towson, and UNC Greensboro. He also worked at ESPN and for the Delaware County Daily Times. Recently, Knox was honored by the NCAA with its Champion of Diversity award. Knox is a graduate of Lincoln University and a past president of the College Sports Information Directors Association of America (CoSIDA).