DeMeco Ryans was there when the Houston Texans earned their first divisional title, playoff appearance, and postseason win. The 2011 season would also be Ryans’ last as he finished his 86-game career with the club that selected him in Round 2 in 2006.
When the franchise needed to return to its winning ways, they brought back Ryans as their sixth full-time coach in team history.
The former Alabama product had a decent foray into the NFL as he earned the Defensive Rookie of the Year award. Before heading to the Philadelphia Eagles to finish out his career from 2012-15, Ryans earned two Pro Bowls in 2007 and 2009.
Here is a look back at Ryans’ playing career with the Texans.
DeMeco Ryans of the Houston Texans poses for his 2006 NFL headshot at photo day in…Oct 15, 2006; Dallas, TX, USA; Dallas Cowboys running back (21) Julius Jones gets tackled by…HOUSTON, TX - DECEMBER 31: DeMeco Ryans #59 of the Houston Texans looks on against the…Oct 19, 2007; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans linebacker DeMeco Ryans (59) fires up the crowd…CLEVELAND - NOVEMBER 25: Jamal Lewis #31 of the Cleveland Browns tries to avoid the tackle…Feb 8, 2008; Kapolei, HI, USA; Houston Texans linebacker DeMeco Ryans (59) is interviewed by Brooke…HOUSTON - OCTOBER 05: Quarterback Peyton Manning #18 of the Indianapolis Colts shakes hands with linebacker…Aug 6, 2009; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans linebacker DeMeco Ryans (59) signs an autograph during…Aug 31, 2009; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans linebacker DeMeco Ryans (59) prepares to make a…HOUSTON - SEPTEMBER 27: Linebackers DeMeco Ryans #59, Brian Cushing #56 and defensive tackle Amobi Okoye…Jan 3, 2010; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans safety Bernard Pollard (31) celebrates with linebacker DeMeco…Jan 31, 2010; Miami, FL, USA; AFC linebacker DeMeco Ryans (59) and receiver Andre Johnson (80)…Jan 31, 2010; Miami, FL, USA; AFC linebacker DeMeco Ryans (59) and quarterback Matt Schaub (8)…GLENDALE, AZ - AUGUST 14: (L-R) Dorin Dickerson #19, Kevin Bentley #57, DeMeco Ryans #59 and…Sept 12, 2010; Houston, TX, USA; Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning (18) points at Houston Texans…Oct 3, 2010; Oakland, CA, USA; Houston Texans linebacker DeMeco Ryans (59) celebrates after a sack…December 13, 2010, Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans linebacker DeMeco Ryans (59) talks to his teammates…Aug 02, 2011; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans linebacker DeMeco Ryans (59) talks on the phone…HOUSTON - OCTOBER 09: DeMeco Ryans #59 of the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on October…HOUSTON, TX - OCTOBER 30: DeMeco Ryans #59 of the Houston Texans at Reliant Stadium on…October 30, 2011; Houston, TX, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars running back Maurice Jones-Drew (32) is tackled by…December 18, 2011; Houston, TX, USA; Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton (1) rushes in the fourth…Jan 7, 2012; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Texans linebacker DeMeco Ryans (59) reacts against the Cincinnati…BALTIMORE, MD - JANUARY 15: Head coach John Harbaugh of the Baltimore Ravens talks with DeMeco…
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