Tag: Andre Johnson Football

Gallery: Texans legend Andre Johnson’s gold jacket Hall of Fame ceremony

Houston Texans star WR Andre Johnson donned the gold jacket for the first time since being inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame

Andre Johnson can now proudly don his gold jacket as the newest member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The seven-time Pro Bowl receiver can also stake the claim as the first Houston Texans player to call Canton, Ohio home.

Here are some of the best photos from Friday night’s event surrounding the Texans’ greatest offensive player in franchise history.

 

Johnson, who finished with 1,062 receptions for 14,185 yards and 70 receiving touchdowns in 14 seasons, plus the six other inductees, will make speeches later Saturday afternoon at Tom Benson Stadium.

The timing, however, could differ based on inclement weather. Currently, the Hall of Fame speeches are in a rain delay.

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.

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.

DeMeco Ryans, Texans players share thoughts on Andre Johnson’s Hall of Fame nod

DeMeco Ryans shared his thoughts on legendary receiver Andre Johnson becoming the first Houston Texans player to make the Pro Hall of Fame.

One can’t tell the history of the Houston Texans without Andre Johnson.

While J.J. Watt took NRG Stadium by storm, Johnson was the first to pave the way for a new era of football in H-Town.

It’s only fitting he’s the first Texan to call Canton, Ohio home.

Johnson, the legendary wide receiver and the Texan’s first legitimate superstar, will officially be etched in football folklore history as a member of the 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame class. But before his bust can rest inside the hall, the Texans must play Thursday night against the Chicago Bears in honor of his legacy.

“It’s only right that we all go and support Dre,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “I think for a lot of us, it will be our first time being in Canton at the Hall of Fame, so it will be a unique experience for us all and we’re looking forward to it.”

Ryans, a former Pro Bowl linebacker for the Texans, knows Johnson the player as much as the person. The two shared a locker room from 2006-11 until Ryans departed for Philadelphia.

Both served as captains on their respective sides. Johnson, who set franchise records in receptions (1,012), receiving yards (13,597) and receiving touchdowns (64), was the face of the offense en route to helping Houston clinch its first-ever playoff berth under Gary Kubiak.

When he walked off the field to breathe, Ryans, the 2006 Defensive Rookie of the Year, stepped up as the leader of the huddle.

“I’m just so proud of Andre and all of his accomplishments throughout his career and for him to reach the pinnacle in football of being enshrined as hall of famer it means the world to us as an organization,” Ryans said. “I know it means the world to Andre to show all the hard work that he put into it out here on these fields and just the type of man that he is off the field in the community just speaks to the volume of who Dre is and we’re happy to support him.”

Drafted No. 3 overall out of Miami in 2003, Johnson would go on to set not only Texans’ records but league ones. Over his 14 seasons, the seven-time Pro Bowler totaled an NFL-leading 21 games with at least 10 catches and 100 yards.

Even as age became a factor, Johnson looked spry and elusive in the open field, averaging 102 catches and 1,280 yards over his final three years with the franchise.

“[Being] the first person to represent us in the Hall of Fame is a huge thing.” receiver Noah Brown said. “Andre had a hell of a career and it’s – I’m glad that he’s getting acknowledged for it.”

As the backbone of the Texans for 12 seasons, Johnson has been a staple of Houston sports and a pivotal part of the franchise’s growth. Even those who joined the team following his retirement in 2016 know the mark he left on the game off NRG Drive.

“It is cool to actually go see, this will be my first [time] that I am actually seeing [the NFL Hall of Fame] with my own two eyes,” safety Jimmie Ward said. “I am happy that I met him, and I am happy that I have a relationship with him and congratulations to Andre.”

Johnson and the rest of the Class of 2024 will be inducted at 11 a.m. CT on Saturday. Coverage can be seen on ESPN.

Watch: Texans legend Andre Johnson throws out first pitch at Astros game.

Andre Johnson delivered a strike on offense for the Houston Texans, but did he deliver one with the first pitch Tuesday night at Minute Maid Park?

Andre Johnson’s career-defining moment will come Saturday in Canton, Ohio when he’s inducted into the NFL’s Hall of Fame. But before that happened, there was one last thing to cross off his list of accolades in Houston.

The Texans’ longtime wide receiver threw out the ceremonial first pitch Tuesday night at Minute Maid Park between the Houston Astros and Pittsburgh Pirates in the eventual 6-2 loss.

He’ll now depart Wednesday morning with the McNair Family, along with his family, to begin the celebration of becoming the first player in franchise history to be named to the Hall of Fame.

Johnson, known for his physical brand of ball on the field, has a quiet demeanor off it. He’s rarely a talker and even told reporters before the first pitch that he’ll be anxious to give a speech in front of a crowd come Saturday afternoon.

It was only a pitch to MLB Hall of Famer Craig Biggio, but anything in front of a crowd could be considered a warm-up.

The Astros went above and beyond to honor the H-Town legend, titiling Tuesday “Andre Johnson Day” at Minute Maid Park. The first 10,000 fans received a special Johnson Hall of Fame bobblehead and were shown highlights of Johnson’s career before the first pitch.

A highlight video of Johnson’s career was shown to the public and several Astros players, including Jeremy Peña, Lance McCullers, Hunter Brown and Jon Singleton, offered congratulatory messages recordings.

While he’ll don a gold Hall of Fame jacket on Saturday, the Astros rolled out a literal gold carpet to match his threads before the pitch. The organization also honored Johnson’s mother, Karen, with a bouquet.

Several legends also took the field to see Johnson toss the pitch just a bit outside, including Pro Football Hall of Fame receiver Terrell Owens, and former NFL MVP Adrian Peterson. Rappers 50 Cent, Bun B, Paul Wall, Slim Thug and Tobe Nwigwe were also in attendance.

The Texans take on the Bears Thursday night to kick off Johnson’s epic weekend in Canton.