Charlie Heck knows what it takes to make it in the NFL.
After all, his dad is the offensive line coach for the Kansas City Chiefs. Andy Heck was also an offensive lineman in the league from 1989-2000.
The Houston Texans selected the former North Carolina product in Round 4 of the 2020 NFL draft. Heck played in three games, starting in the Week 17 season finale against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium.
Heck did the best he could with a virtual offseason, no offseason program, and just a month-long training camp ahead of the regular season last year.
With a full eight-week offseason program available, Heck put in the work this offseason and third-year guard Max Scharping has notice.
“Charlie’s great,” said Scharping. “I love playing next to him. He’s a smart kid. He works his ass off. He’s just a great guy to have by you. Like I said, he’s probably one of the hardest working guys in the room honestly.”
Not only does Heck’s lineage in the NFL provide him with the knowledge that hard work is what it takes to succeed, but his enculturation in the offensive line is also evident at training camp practices at Houston Methodist Training Center.
Said Scharping: “His background with his dad as a coach, he’s really smart in the game of football. So, he gets what’s going on out there, and he brings a level of that work ethic that every single offensive line needs to have.”
Heck will see extended playing time Saturday night against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field as tackles Roderick Johnson, Laremy Tunsil, and Tytus Howard have been placed on the COVID-19 reserve.