When Texans legend Andre Johnson is enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame on August 3, the city of Houston will finally bask in having its first player in Canton, Ohio.
Johnson, a member of the 2024 Hall of Fame class, has been dreaming of his moment since retiring from the game in 2015. The pathway to immortality was long and came with a few bumps and bruises. Some moments felt like an eternity for the Johnson family: another year, another snub.
The wait is over for Johnson, who played 12 of his 14 professional seasons in Houston after being drafted third overall in 2003. He’ll be the first name in franchise history to cement his legacy in the shire that honors the game, just like he was the first superstar to grace the field at Reliant — now NRG — Stadium.
Johnson, the Texans’ all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards and touchdowns, was an offensive focal point of the Gary Kubiak era, helping Houston win its first two AFC South titles and first two playoff games. During his dozen seasons in a Texans’ uniform, he caught 1,012 passes for 13,597 yards and 64 touchdowns.
The former Miami star also established himself as perhaps the most underappreciated receiver of his era, and the numbers back it up. He has more 100-reception seasons in his career than Jerry Rice and Marvin Harrison.
"I won't run my mouth back at you… But on the next play I'm gonna do everything I can to embarrass you in front of the whole world."
Andre Johnson let his play do the talking.@johnson80 @HoustonTexans (quote via @FlemESPN) pic.twitter.com/QoNXojXCK2
— NFL Legacy (@NFLLegacy) March 30, 2019
He has more 1,500-yard campaigns than anyone in league history than Rice, who most consider to be the greatest pass-catcher of all time.
Johnson also set an NFL record with 21 games with at least 10 catches and 100 yards. He’s second all-time in 100-yard games with 51 and is one of three receivers to lead the league in catches in back-to-back seasons since 1960, joining Rice and Calvin Johnson.
“He’s one of the greatest players I’ve ever coached,” Kubiak told HoustonTexans.com of Johnson. “There’s never been any doubt in my mind that he deserved to be in the Hall of Fame because he’s one of the greatest receivers in history.”
