Andre Johnson Retires A Houston Texan

HOUSTON, TX -- Former Houston Texans great Andre Johnson signed a one day contract with the Houston Texans, ending his NFL career where it all began in 2003.

Johnson, 35, was flanked by Texans General Manager Rick Smith and Cal McNair, the team’s chief operations officer, both of whom welcomed Johnson home, and thanked him for his service to the community, and team.

“You will forever hold a special place in the Texans family,” McNair said.

Johnson sent his first 12 years in the NFL with the Houston Texans, starting 169 games and amassing 1,012 receptions, compiling 13,597 receiving yards, 64 receiving touchdowns, and more than 50 100-yard games.

While the stats point to his greatness on the field, it was the difference he made in Houston, particularly with the Andre Johnson Foundation, and the annual Christmas shopping spree that Johnson hosts each year at an area Toys R Us store.

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“Greatness isn’t for the chosen few, greatness is for the few who choose to be great,” Smith said. “Andre Johnson chose to be great. He chose to show up and work the way he did…”

Johnson, played his last game as a Houston Texan in 2014, before moving onto play a single season for the Indianapolis Colts, and play part of the 2016 season with the Tennessee Titans.

“I have been playing this game since I was six-years old and so many people have affected my journey throughout this game, and I am thankful to them for that,” he said.

Johnson provided the obligatory thanks to the organization, and then in a rare demonstration of emotion, the NFL legend bowed his head and quietly wept when he mentioned the dedication of his mother and family to his success.

“Everything I did on that field, was because of you,” he said referring to his mother. “A lot of people don't know, but I played the game of football ... I played the game very angry and the reason I played that way was just because of the way I grew up. I just never wanted to go back to living that lifestyle again."

Johnson said he loved playing in Houston, and only regretted never being able to win a Super Bowl with the Texans.

Johnson is eligible for induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2022. If he is inducted, he will become the first Houston Texan to be enshrined.

Until then, it is expected that Johnson will be honored in some way by the organization some time during the 2017 regular season.

Image: Christopher Brown, via Flickr

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