A Tribute to the Greatest Houston Texan Ever
On May 9, 2015, after 12 long years, the city of Houston said goodbye to Andre Johnson when the Texans released him. On October 31, 2016 the NFL said goodbye to the future Hall of Famer as he announced his retirement.
Andre Johnson, a Miami native, quickly found a new home in Houston after being selected third overall in the 2003 NFL Draft. Being a new team in the NFL, calling the Texans' first years a struggle would be an understatement. Regardless of the team posting a combined record of 14-34 in Johnson's first three seasons, he did anything but struggle. From 2003-2006, he averaged 988.25 yards and played in 61 of the Texans' 64 games during that stretch. Andre continued with the Texans for 8 more seasons following his incredible start, including the milestone of becoming the first Texans' player to reach 10,000 yards in receptions.
Competitive Spirit
In 12 years, Andre had to receive passes from 12 different quarterbacks, four different head coaches, and seven different offensive coordinators. Houston sports fans are used to athletes, good athletes, leaving us and continuing on to have success with other teams and win titles in other cities. Andre created a real team in Houston and gave us fans someone to believe in. When Andre finally left us, I was heartbroken. While I do agree with the Texans' front office that he was not worth that sum of money anymore, it would have been great to see him complete his career in Houston.
There is also his famous fight with Cortland Finnegan. I was fortunate enough to be at the game. Andre was sick and tired of Finnegan acting like a punk, and I think we all know how that ended.
Houston Hero
Andre meant so much to the city off of the field as well. Even after he left Houston, he returned every year around the holidays to continue his tradition of "Andre's Holiday Shopping Spree", where he took underprivileged children in the Houston area shopping at Toys 'R Us and bought tens of thousands of dollars in Christmas presents for them. He stayed clean, avoided getting in trouble, worked with the situations he was given no matter how frustrating it was, and was always keeping the interest of the team in mind.
What really puts the icing on the cake is the love is mutual. After being released, Johnson rented out space in the Houston Chronicle to thank his fans in Houston. Then, after he announced his retirement, he posted this on Instagram:
If you're a Texan fan, that should have given you chills.
It's Andre, Not J.J.
Somehow, J.J. Watt is already considered the greatest Texan of all time. J.J. had four seasons of pure and utter dominance, winning three Defensive Player of the Year awards. Watt, at his current rate and assuming he can stay healthy, will absolutely eventually take over, but as of now the title belongs to #80.
Loyalty is a rare quality in professional athletes, especially one at Andre's caliber.
I don't consider his leaving Houston a lack of commitment. It was simply two separate parties, both with different ideas of what the future held.
His commitment to his family, his job, his team, and the city of Houston puts him down as the greatest Houston Texan of all time.
