Phillies superstar Howard is engaged to the lovely Krystal Campbell, an Eagles cheerleader, with a 2012 wedding planned.

Howard divulged the news discretely before the Phillies took on the New York Mets Thursday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park.

Howard had long been rumored to have an infatuation with an Eagles cheerleader. He also has attended Eagles games.

Howard was the source of controversy last year when with the Phillies down, 1-0, in their National League Championship Series with the San Francisco Giants last fall, he was sighted on the sideline of the Eagles-Atlanta Falcons game that same day at Lincoln Financial Field.

The Phillies were to take on the Giants later that evening. Howard was criticized for not taking batting practice. The Phillies defeated the Giants, 6-1, to knot the series. Howard went 2-for-3 with a walk.