Though the Houston Texans have had their share of struggles over the last several seasons the hype surrounding the team is at an all-time high.
Whether it is hiring a former franchise hero in DeMeco Ryans as coach or taking C.J. Stroud and Will Anderson back-to-back in the 2023 NFL draft, there is plenty of energy on Kirby Drive.
The Texans appear to be back on the path to relevance, and with some of the best players in team history making an appearance at organized team activities June 6, it was like a stamp of approval.
Among those in attendance were legendary receiver Andre Johnson, former linebacker Kailee Wong, and former guards Chester Pitts and Fred Weary — all of whom played with Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans in Houston.
Ryans commented on the reunion with his former teammates after the team’s practice session, pointing out that the presence of such decorated players provided plenty of motivation for his upstart Texans.
“It was awesome to see a lot of former players — guys who laid the foundation here for this Texans organization,” Ryans said. “So, I was excited to see those guys out [here] and it was fun to talk to them and just let them know how much our guys appreciate their support – how much it means to us to have their support.”
#Texans legends Kailee Wong, Fred Weary, Andre Johnson and Chester Pitts at today's OTA @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/fEqChwIn4Y
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) June 6, 2023
Ryans went on to reiterate that these outstanding players were foundational pieces of the Texans’ franchise, and committed to doing the all-time greats proud as he revamps Houston’s reputation as a competitive football team.
“Everything that we do, they laid the foundation for our players that are here right now,” said Ryans. “And for our players that are here, it’s about just doing everything we can to be the best that we are on Sundays to make those guys proud.”
For a team that is as young as the Texans, visits like these from players so crucial to the franchise’s coming of age in the mid-2000s should serve as a reminder that Houston holds the key to its destiny in its hands heading into the new season, and has plenty of support behind them.
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