For years, former Syracuse football player Naesean Howard heard voices in his head, experienced stark personality changes and woke up from dreams crying, records obtained by The Daily Orange show.
The records, never before disclosed, reveal the struggles Howard faced in school and in everyday interactions. In letters, Howard’s family members, former coaches, high school principal and others around him wrote that his behavior changed in the years leading up to April 2016, when Howard stabbed former teammates Chauncey Scissum and Corey Winfield. Those who know Howard said he turned from outgoing to sheltered, from team captain to distanced, from peaceful to — at times — violent.