Houston Texans legendary receiver Andre Johnson joked easily about the Crown Royal Rig, which has been a key feature of the Crown Royal Purple Bag Project, the latest community project that Johnson has partnered with.
“I don’t know if I’m driving an 18-wheeler. That’s too much truck for me,” Johnson told Texans Wire in an exclusive interview to discuss his partnership.
The truck is currently traveling city to city throughout the NFL season, tailgating with fans while providing an opportunity to pack purple bags filled with essentials to benefit military members and their families.
“To have the fans to be able to provide essentials for the military, even the veterans at home or military overseas,” Johnson said. “It’s a tremendous thing to be a part of,” Johnson said about the campaign.
Johnson, Houston’s first Hall of Fame honoree following his enshrinement this summer, is fondly remembered by the community for his Christmas toy giveaways and “Andre Johnson Community Days.”
Andre Johnson (@johnson80) is partnering with @CrownRoyal to bring Houston fans both a great tailgating experience and a meaningful service project for veterans this Sunday.
Learn more about the Purple Bag Project 🎥⬇️#HTownMade pic.twitter.com/Psnx3DN9nu
— John Crumpler (@JohnHCrumpler) October 4, 2024
His giving spirit led to his nomination in 2014 as Houston’s Walter Payton Man of the Year Award candidate.
The Purple Bag Project is the latest opportunity for Johnson to serve. It will be on-site in Houston as the team debuts their H-Town Blue uniforms against the Buffalo Bills. Along with the service project for military members, Crown Royal is providing fans with exclusive merchandise and giveaways.
“There’ll be active stations for fans to be able to come on and help pack these bags for our military, veterans or you know guys that are active military right now, military overseas,” Johnson said of the campaign. “So they’ll be able to come on and there will be games, gifts, surprises and things of that nature for the fans that they could participate in.”
Texans Wire Exclusive: Andre Johnson discusses Nico Collins and challenges for elite NFL receivers https://t.co/FRKxIlmxgl pic.twitter.com/tNXR25tdUL
— The Texans Wire (@TheTexansWire) October 4, 2024
The Purple Bag Project also creates an opportunity for Johnson to unite the Houston community he loves with the military community he finds deep meaning in serving.
“Even not having my aunt and uncle in the miracle, I would say that’s something I’ve always paid attention to and has always meant a lot to me – people who serve our country,” Johnson said, in reference to family me.
Vice President of Crown Royal Hadley Schafer mentioned how the Crown Royal Rig was a character in itself, providing more than just a fine beverage to fans across the country.
“With the Crown Royal Rig, thousands of NFL fans across the country will give back to our invaluable military heroes,” Schafter said in a press release. “In our fourth year as the Official Whisky Sponsor of the NFL, it’s important for us to offer something extra special to the fans from our next-level tailgate to give them a chance to win tickets to Super Bowl LIX with our online sweeps!”
Fans can be on the lookout for both a fun tailgate and a service opportunity prior to Sunday’s kickoff at noon.