Andre Johnson has been a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame since former Minnesota Vikings star Cris Carter knocked on his door back in February at his home in Miami.
On Friday evening, the moment felt complete.
Johnson, the first Houston Texans star and all-time leading wide receiver, donned his Hall of Fame gold jacket for the first time since his induction, serving as the penultimate step toward the weekend event.
Gold looks good on you, @johnson80 🤘 pic.twitter.com/H94YSurrpK
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) August 3, 2024
Johnson and the six other members of the 2024 Hall of Fame Class will give speeches on Saturday morning, though due to inclement weather, the ceremony won’t begin at the initial 11 a.m. CT start.
“It’s not about me, it’s about everybody who has played a part in it,” Johnson told reporters on Friday during the pre-HOF event alongside Devin Hester, and Misty McMichael, the wife of Steve McMichael. “This accomplishment alone — this is the best of the best. We’re forever immortalized. You’re in the 1%. You can’t beat that.”
Johnson, the all-time leader in every Texans’ receiving record, will be forever honored as one of the greatest pass-catchers ever to play the game. Drafted No. 3 overall out of Miami in 2003, Johnson would become a fixture of Houston’s rise from lackluster newcomer to postseason-bound franchise.
Over his 14-year illustrious NFL career, Johnson spent 12 in Houston. Under Gary Kubiak’s watch, he posted six 1,000-yard seasons while helping the Texans win their first playoff game in 2011.
“Everybody knows, Andre knows what he’s done even when times weren’t as great here in Houston,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said Friday. “Andre was still, I bet, shining a light here in Houston. Making plays, creating a name for himself. He just epitomizes what this organization is about. You talk about hard work, you talk about a championship mindset, that’s what Andre Johnson is all about.”
Yet Johnson’s impact on the Texans carries more weight because of his loyalty. Twice, he could have left to sign with a contender before his ultimate departure in 2015.
Twice, he chose to see the mission through.
“Shoot for the stars, land on the moon” 🚀 pic.twitter.com/2pMfcNG3d1
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) August 3, 2024
“I didn’t realize the impact I was able to have on people by just playing a football game,” Johnson told reporters “Making the Hall of Fame has really opened my eyes to that. Not only to have the impact on people, but to have the impact on the whole city. It means a lot.”
The Texans, who played Thursday night in the Hall of Fame game against the Chicago Bears, plus several of Johnson’s former teammates, will be in the stands to see the first Texans call Canton home.
