Andre Johnson Graceful as He Enters Football Heaven
The Houston Texans have their first member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame
It was 21 years ago when Andre Johnson was on the field getting ready for the second season of football for the Houston Texans. It was his first in the NFL. It would be the first of many firsts for one of the greatest players in the franchise’s history.
Saturday, Johnson strode to a podium in Canton, Ohio donning his gold jacket and unveiling his Pro Football Hall of Fame bust immortalizing him in football history forever. He’s the first Houston Texans player to earn that prestigious honor.
His speech was filled with gratitude for the people who helped him get to this point in his life. From his family and friends to his teammates throughout his life, and the organization and fans, Johnson left nobody out. He gathered himself a few times during the speech. Sometimes showing emotion. Sometimes going off script to speak from his heart.
Showing the charisma typically reserved for teammates and those close to him Johnson stated how he was honored to share the stage with players he grew up watching and looking up to as he made his football journey. He said he was “happy as hell” to be on the stage and in the Hall of Fame.
Johnson said he spoke with his fellow 2024 inductees about how Saturday was “their last gameday” as they prepared to deliver their speeches.
The first season for Johnson was productive. Playing with a second-year quarterback in David Carr still suffering through a porous offensive line Johnson hauled in 66 catches for 976 yards and four touchdowns. His first season over a thousand yards and the first of seven Pro Bowls would follow the next year.
He led the league in receptions for the first time in 2006 which is also the year he earned his first nod to the All-Pro team, albeit the second team. Two years later he led the league in receiving yards for the first time and earned the initial first-team All-Pro of his career. He’d repeat those feats a year later.
Johnson caught the first pass in the playoffs for the franchise. He was the recipient of the first passing touchdown in the playoffs as well, a 40-yard bomb from T.J. Yates. Johnson would be the first player in the team’s Ring of Honor. The list is nearly endless.
Johnson finished the speech with a punctuation noting the history made.
“I’m happy as hell, again, to be your FIRST Pro Football Hall of Famer.”
A CLASS ACT!!!
Thanks for the memories!!!!!
KEEPING THE FAITH!!!
GO TEXANS!!!
Happy as hell, Andre is happy as hell 😁