Tag: 2024 Hall of Fame

Watch: Texans legend Andre Johnson puts on Hall of Fame jacket for the first time

Andre Johnson has put on the gold jacket and everyone back in Houston is celebrating his honor.

Andre Johnson has been a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame since former Minnesota Vikings star Cris Carter knocked on his door back in February at his home in Miami.

On Friday evening, the moment felt complete.

Johnson, the first Houston Texans star and all-time leading wide receiver, donned his Hall of Fame gold jacket for the first time since his induction, serving as the penultimate step toward the weekend event.

Johnson and the six other members of the 2024 Hall of Fame Class will give speeches on Saturday morning, though due to inclement weather, the ceremony won’t begin at the initial 11 a.m. CT start.

“It’s not about me, it’s about everybody who has played a part in it,” Johnson told reporters on Friday during the pre-HOF event alongside Devin Hester, and Misty McMichael, the wife of Steve McMichael. “This accomplishment alone — this is the best of the best. We’re forever immortalized. You’re in the 1%. You can’t beat that.”

Johnson, the all-time leader in every Texans’ receiving record, will be forever honored as one of the greatest pass-catchers ever to play the game. Drafted No. 3 overall out of Miami in 2003, Johnson would become a fixture of Houston’s rise from lackluster newcomer to postseason-bound franchise.

Over his 14-year illustrious NFL career, Johnson spent 12 in Houston. Under Gary Kubiak’s watch, he posted six 1,000-yard seasons while helping the Texans win their first playoff game in 2011.

“Everybody knows, Andre knows what he’s done even when times weren’t as great here in Houston,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Friday. “Andre was still, I bet, shining a light here in Houston. Making plays, creating a name for himself. He just epitomizes what this organization is about. You talk about hard work, you talk about a championship mindset, that’s what Andre Johnson is all about.”

Yet Johnson’s impact on the Texans carries more weight because of his loyalty. Twice, he could have left to sign with a contender before his ultimate departure in 2015.

Twice, he chose to see the mission through.

“I didn’t realize the impact I was able to have on people by just playing a football game,” Johnson told reporters “Making the Hall of Fame has really opened my eyes to that. Not only to have the impact on people, but to have the impact on the whole city. It means a lot.”

The Texans, who played Thursday night in the Hall of Fame game against the Chicago Bears, plus several of Johnson’s former teammates, will be in the stands to see the first Texans call Canton home.

Texans RB Cam Akers proves there’s something left in the tank during Hall of Fame game

While the Houston Texans lost on Thursday night, Cam Akers’ stock won big in Canton, Ohio.

A simple play was enough to get the sidelines talking in Canton, Ohio on Thursday night and it perhaps caught more than the attention of Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud.

During the second quarter of the Hall of Fame game, veteran quarterback Case Keenum took a botched snap and looked for his nearest target. Cam Akers waited in the flats to take whatever was flung his way.

From there, Akers had a choice: win with power or elusiveness. He chose the latter, spinning inside to make a pair of Chicago Bears defenders miss while picking a gain of 14.

Social media was in a blaze. Stroud, the Texans’ franchise quarterback, was ecstatic on the sideline, hyping up his running back to keep a good thing going on the drive.

He did. Akers found the end zone three plays later on a 4-yard pass from Keenum to extend Houston’s lead to 10. And while the Texans fell short in a 21-17 loss against Chicago to kick off the preseason, Akers didn’t.

He was the Texans’ biggest winner.

“Cam made a couple of nice plays that everybody saw, the plays that Cam made running the football and also with the receiving touchdown,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Cam has a very savvy way of slipping off of tacklers, making plays so I like where Cam was tonight and he showed some playmaking ability, which he has shown in the past.”

A former 2020 second-round pick, Akers finished with 31 yards of offense on eight touches and scored a touchdown. He averaged 3.7 yards per carry and picked three first downs.

When healthy, Akers has been a sturdy option on the ground for the Los Angeles Rams and Minnesota Vikings. Of course, health has been a significant issue, given that he’s torn his Achilles twice since being drafted out of Florida State.

The Texans knew when they signed him to a one-year deal this offseason. Through two weeks of practice, Akers seems to have left the injury bug in Minneapolis and Los Angeles.

“I’ve been doing that since I’ve been training with these guys, reminding myself, ‘You’re still you. You still have the same abilities after two Achilles injuries,’” Akers said. “And tonight, I think it showed. It came full circle, and I want to keep doing it. I don’t want it to be a one-time thing.”

Houston, which struggled to move the ball on the ground last season behind Stroud’s offensive showcase, tried to elevate its ground game this offseason by trading for Joe Mixon and drafting Jahwar Jordan.

The Texans also see potential in third-year running back Dameon Pierce, who didn’t play on Thursday night to make room for others.

But Akers, who elected to sign with Houston over Minnesota, might factor into the equation in the running back room. He wanted to be a Texan after training this offseason in Houston. He believes there’s a foundation strong enough to win more than a division title.

“I feel like I was just walking into a winning team,” Akers said. “I just want to keep it going and do my part to keep us winning, whether it’s motivating, making plays, whatever I got to do. I just want to be that guy.”

The Texans will practice for three days in Cleveland before traveling to Pittsburgh to take on the Steelers next Friday night.

Watch: Texans WR Andre Johnson arrives at Pro Football Hall of Fame

Andre Johnson has officially touched down in Canton, Ohio in preparation for the Pro Football Hall of Fame weekend.

Andre Johnson has officially touched down in Canton, Ohio.

Johnson, the first major star in Houston Texans’ history, is ready to have his bust cemented in the Pro Football Hall of Fame, cementing his legacy well beyond his time at NRG Stadium.

The former Pro Bowl receiver sent a message to fans, thanking them for the kind words before Saturday’s enshrinement.

“I’m super excited,” Johnson said. “I got a chance to see some fans earlier, sign some autographs. I can’t wait until Saturday to give my speech. Thank you guys. See you tonight at the game.”

Johnson, the Texans’ all-time leader in every receiving category, waited years for this moment to arrive. It’s fitting that as Houston looks poised to begin a new era of winning behind C.J. Stroud, it’ll see a Hall of Famer represent the franchise forever in Canton.

Drafted No. 3 overall out of Miami in 2003, Johnson spent 12 seasons with the Texans, helping the franchise not only make the playoffs for the first time but also win its first-ever postseason game.

Over his dozen seasons with the Texans, Johnson caught 1,012 passes for 13,597 yards and 64 touchdowns. He also posted an NFL record 21 games of at least ten catches for over 100 yards in 14 seasons.

Johnson, plus the rest of the 2024 Hall of Fame class, will be inducted at 11 a.m. CT on Saturday. Coverage will be televised on ESPN.

Texans HOF WR Andre Johnson to throw out first pitch at Astros game before ceremony

Before legendary Texans receiver Andre Johnson travels to Canton, Ohio, he’ll make one last pit stop at the Juice Box to see the Astros.

With the countdown clock in full effect, the city of Houston is honoring its newest Hall of Fame athlete.

Former Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson will throw out the first pitch Tuesday night at Minute Maid Park as the Astros take on the Pittsburgh Pirates. That’s only one part of the surprise that comes with $1 hot dogs on Tuesday.

The Astros have dubbed Tuesday “Andre Johnson Night,” honoring the longtime Texans star before his trip up to Canton, Ohio, for the Hall of Fame ceremony next weekend.

Arguably the top player in franchise history and its first Hall of Famer, Johnson will toss the pitch to another H-Town G.O.A.T. in former Astros second baseman Craig Biggio. Biggio was the first player to be inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame as a member of the Astros.

The Astros are going all out for No. 80 during his moment at Minute Maid. The first 10,000 fans will receive a special Andre Johnson Hall of Fame bobblehead. On top of that, a portion of the proceeds from the daily 50/50 raffle will go to the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Georgia Frontiere/Rosenbloom Family Assistance Fund, which “supports enshrinees and their families during times of need,” according to a release from the team’s PR staff.

Drafted No. 3 overall in 2003, Johnson became Hosuton’s first legitimate football star since the Warren Moon and Oilers era during his illustrious 12 seasons. He set every major receiving record in franchise history while earning seven Pro Bowl nods and two first-team All-Pro honors.

Johnson finished his Texans career with 1,012 catches for 13,597 yards and 64 touchdowns.

The festivities begin for the Texans on Aug. 1 as the defending AFC South champions take on the Bears in the annual Hall of Fame Game. The Class of 2024 enshrinement ceremony is scheduled for Aug. 3.

Johnson, who will be introduced by former Texans coach Gary Kubiak, will be the last to speak among those being honored for their historic careers.

Why these Pro Football Hall of Fame finalists should be inducted in 2024

Our NFL Wire editors stated their case for each finalist to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame.

It’s a busy week for the NFL. Not only will the Kansas City Chiefs and San Francisco 49ers battle it out in Super Bowl 58, but the Pro Football Hall of Fame will welcome a new class to Canton.

The Hall of Fame Class of 2024 will be announced during “NFL Honors,” which airs Thursday at 9 p.m. ET on CBS and NFL Network.

There are currently 15 modern-era finalists, three senior finalists and one coaching/contributor finalist up for the Hall of Fame, including two first-year eligible players — tight end Antonio Gates and defensive end Julius Peppers.

Our NFL Wire editors stated their case for each finalist to be enshrined in the Hall of Fame.