Introduced in the fourth season, Vince Howard is the son of a troubled couple as his father is in jail and his mother is a drug addict. He loves and supports his mother, as his abusive father is soon to be released from prison. Vince is running with the wrong crowd before he is recruited to play quarterback for the East Dillon High School Lions. But, in time, it becomes clear that he might not be able to handle the attention of the lofty position.