This is one in an occasional series in which Towson men's basketball players describe the deeper meaning of one of its tattoos. This will hopefully provide a personal and deeper glimpse into our players and help you get to know them.
 
TOWSON, Md. – Towson University senior Tobias Howard doesn't need to look far for motivation. All he needs to do is glance at the front of his right leg and see the big letters "LLT4EVA."
 
It's short for Long Live Tone Forever. Howard's world and life was forever altered on April 17, 2018.
 
"Tone is my little cousin on my mom's side," Howard said. "Many of my cousins look up to me so it hit me hard when I was at Chipola College and my mom called me to tell me he had been shot in the head. He was 13 years old. It hurt me because he was just at one of my games prior to that night. I remember giving him money and I told him to stay trouble. Every time I am not in the mood or feeling down, I am always reminded that I am playing for something bigger than myself."
 
Like many athletes with tattoos, each unique design is rooted in a deeper meaning. Behind every tattoo is a good story. Howard is no different. With more than 30 tattoos overall, many of Howard's inked inspirations commemorate the heart, sweat and blood he's invested into becoming an elite basketball player. Many of them represents strength, ferocity, family, determination and faith.
 
"He loved watching me play," said Howard of his younger cousin. "I remember always helping out the family whenever I could. He used to always tell me, 'to keep hooping because you have to keep making it."
 
As Towson prepares to begin its 2019-20 season on Tuesday, Nov. 5 against George Washington at SECU Arena, Howard is looking to build off of a solid campaign in which he was second on the team in scoring (10.2 points per game) and led the Tigers in assists (2.5). Howard finished 12th in the Colonial Athletic Association (CAA) in 3-pointers made per game (1.8) and was 29th in scoring. He came off the bench for Towson's final 13 games where he averaged 10.8 points and was a candidate for the CAA Sixth Man of the Year award.
 
"I am excited about our team this season," Howard said. "Everybody has been competing hard and at a high level. Our energy level has helped make everybody better.  I took from last season to make sure I am stronger mentally on the court. Off the court, my goal is having consistency in everything I do. I know my new tattoo will helped me stay focused because this my senior year and I am doing exactly what my little cousin wanted me to do."