As former Houston Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson sat courtside at the Houston Rockets game with CEO and Chairman Cal McNair, his lovely wife Hannah, and former Texans defensive lineman Travis Johnson, he was asked a question by Cal that may have seemed like small talk at the time. Still, the conversation would impact Johnson for the rest of his life.
“Do you think you’ve got a good shot this year?” Mr. McNair asked Johnson during a Rockets timeout about his chances of being inducted into the 2024 Class of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The stoic Johnson, who rarely shows emotions, answered the question how he responded to most questions throughout his playing and retirement days.
“If there’s a year for me to go in, it’s this year,” Johnson said. “He was like, ‘Really? You think so?’”
It was challenging for the 14-year veteran (which included 12 years with Houston), who was selected to two All-Pro teams and seven Pro Bowls during his playing days, to get a read on what Cal was asking him since they both keep the expression of a poker player who makes a living not allowing other players to see when they are bluffing. Johnson never knew that Mr. McNair was holding a huge secret from him.
“They probably don’t want me to say this, but we had a hell of a time in (Las) Vegas,” said former Texans WR and 2024 Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Andre Johnson when I asked about the personal relationship he has with Cal and Hannah McNair and the support they give. #Sarge pic.twitter.com/g0aCyrORPJ
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) February 14, 2024
One day later, the secret was revealed at Johnson’s home when he got a knock on the door from 2013 Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Cris Carter, whom Johnson revered for his accomplishments on the football field to let him know that he had been selected to the 2024 Hall of Fame Class.
“It’s probably one of the best feelings that I’ve had in a very, very long time,” said the 2017 inaugural Houston Texans Ring of Honor inductee. “Just getting that knock at the door was very emotional, and it was just kind of a sense of closure to my career. I always said that I never ever thought of being a Hall of Famer, but to have that happen, it was a tremendous feeling.”
Houston drafted Johnson with the third overall pick in the 2003 NFL draft from the University of Miami, where he shined as a player, helping lead the Hurricanes to their fifth football national championship in 2001. He was the bright spot in Houston heading into their second full season of professional football activities after a brief hiatus when the Houston Oilers moved to Nashville, Tenn.
Johnson, 42, finished his NFL career ranked 11th in NFL history with 14,184 receiving yards and 1,062 receptions. He is the all-time franchise leader in receiving yards, receptions, and receiving touchdowns for the Texans.
“I already told people in Canton that they better get ready, because Houston’s going to show up and show out,” Johnson said with a smile. “The love I’ve received from this city and the fans, it’s truly been great.” #Texans #Sarge @TheTexansWire pic.twitter.com/1hUCyidt9C
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) February 15, 2024
Fans around Houston flooded social media during the 2024 NFL Honors in Las Vegas, Nev., when the announcement was made that Johnson had finally been selected. Many of those fans were just as celebratory on the local sports radio shows the next day in support of one of the biggest Texans legends.
On Wednesday, Johnson acknowledged those fans during his press conference.
“I don’t think this (Hall of Fame) was only just for me,” Johnson said. “This was for the whole city of Houston. It’s for the whole organization. Grown men telling me they were crying. Having people tell you, ‘God gave us a superhero here in Houston.’ Those are things that you don’t even realize how people look up to you or you playing that game can affect a city.”
Johnson also warned the organizers of the induction ceremony about what is about to happen in August now that he has been selected.
“I already told people in Canton that they better get ready, because Houston’s going to show up and show out,” Johnson said with a smile. “The love I’ve received from this city and the fans, it’s truly been great.
“It’s been a fun time. I know that they are super, super excited for this to be happening. Honestly, I can’t wait to see what happens in Canton. I hear it. I could be in the grocery store or wherever, and all you hear is, ‘If they let you in Canton, we’re coming.’ So, I know there will be a lot of people there, and I know it will be a great moment for everybody.”
