Texans Great Andre Johnson Reacts To Hall Of Fame Bid

LAS VEGAS — Andre Johnson was at a loss for words as he opened the door to see Cris Carter smiling back at him in a gold jacket. He knew the moment that had been building for three years officially arrived. Johnson, who officially became the first Houston Texans player inducted into the Hall of Fame as a member of the 2024 Class Thursday evening, recently captured the moment when he found out about the decision. In the NFL, former greats often greet future inductees at their homes to deliver the news. Carter, one of the top pass-catchers of the 1990s, was waiting for open arms to welcome Johnson at the home of his agent Kevin McGuire in Canton, Ohio.

Johnson was shocked and later was overcome with emotions to know the wait the finally over. The Texans’ all-time leader in every receiving category had been on the ballot for two seasons prior to 2023.

“I’m just trying to embrace everything,” Johnson said. “I got a chance to compete against all these guys. And to be up there with them, it’s a surreal moment to be going in with these guys. I’m just embracing it and enjoying every moment of it. Joining Johnson as a member of the 2024 class are defensive end Dwight Freeney, linebacker Randy Gradishar, return man Devin Hester, defensive lineman Steve McMichael, defensive end Julius Peppers, and linebacker Patrick Willis. The seven players will be inducted into the Hall on Aug. 3 following the Hall of Fame Game on Aug. 1. Drafted third overall out of Miami in 2003, Johnson spent 12 of his 14 seasons in Houston. He quickly became the Texans’ top player and the first major name for the franchise that was founded in 2002. Johnson totaled 1,062 receptions and 14,185 receiving yards in his career, both ranking 11th in NFL history. His 70 receiving touchdowns are tied for 49th all-time. He also earned seven Pro Bowl selections and a pair of first-team All-Pro nods. For Johnson, being the first Texans player elected to the Hall of Fame was something he’ll always appreciate. In 2017, he was the first player inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor at NRG Stadium and now becomes the first play to join the 378 names that will live in football immortality.

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Was Texans Coach DeMeco Ryans ‘Robbed’ of Coach of the Year? C.J. Stroud Say Yes

Houston Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans came up short for the AP NFL Coach of the Year award on Thursday. And C.J. Stroud made his case for his coach on Friday.

Houston Texas coach DeMeco Ryans was narrowly edged out by Kevin Stefanski of the Cleveland Browns for the AP NFL Coach of the Year Award on Thursday night by a razor-thin.

Both coaches received a total of 165 points from votes, with Stefanski getting the nod due to having precisely one more first-place vote than Ryans.

Despite being the underdog to Stefanski coming into the night per the oddsmakers, it was a result that surprised many due to the incredible turnaround the Texans saw under their first-year head coach.

And when asked if he believed his head coach was robbed of the award during an appearance on Up and Adams with Kay Adams on Friday, C.J. Stroud gave his thoughts.

“Yes, he did,” Stroud told Adams “Everybody says you have a below-average roster, a rookie quarterback, a rookie offensive coordinator, a rookie head coach and you beat the odds and you go the playoffs, you win a playoff game against the guy that won Coach of the Year … and you lead one of the best defenses in the league, I think that’s Coach of the Year worthy.”

On paper, it’s hard to say Stroud is wrong either.

Under Ryans, the Texans went from 3-13-1 to AFC South champions and won a playoff game, completing one of the most dramatic turnarounds in NFL history.

He also helped to completely rebuild the roster of a franchise that had been an NFL bottom dweller for three straight seasons.

But more importantly, he helped change the culture of the locker room and the belief in the players – something that Stroud believes to be vital.

“He’s played and he’s been in our shoes before,” Stroud said. He’s not the type of guy who’s going to be a negative coach. He’s a positive person but he’s going to hold everybody accountable and set a standard and everybody’s got to stick to that standard. And he brings the juice every day. He’s been amazing to my development… He’s a really good coach and I appreciate him.”

Now with a slew of Texans free agents ready to hit the market this offseason, Ryans will have a difficult task in front of him.

But if he can have similar success to what he did last offseason, the sky is the limit for the Texans in 2024.