'Want Them to Be Proud' Ryans Previews Texans' Celebration of Watt, Johnson

The Houston Texans will honor legends J.J. Watt and Andre Johnson when they host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Head coach DeMeco Ryans expects to impress them.

The Houston Texans found their way into the win column in Week 3 after beating the rival Jacksonville Jaguars in their own building, 37-17. It was the first win of the DeMeco Ryans era and has made Texans fans and brass similarly optimistic about the long-term future.

On Sunday, they’ll take some time from looking forward to look back at Texans history. In Week 4, Houston will honor its two most prolific stars: defensive lineman J.J. Watt and receiver Andre Johnson. A ceremony will be held to enshrine Watt into the Houston Texans Ring of Honor, where Johnson already resides.

Not so coincidentally, the Texans host the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday. Star edge rusher T.J. Watt, the Houston icon’s younger brother, will be in attendance.

“Him and Andre Johnson are two of the greatest Texans to suit up for us,” Ryans said. “So it’s important for us to honor those guys … For us, we want to mimic what those guys have stood for. They’ve been leaders in the community, of course, great talents on the field, it’s who those guys are as men.”

Honoring the Houston legends shouldn’t just come via a video tribute and some speeches. Ryans, who shared a locker room with the two in 2011, knows the best way to honor them is to win.

J.J. Watt makes his entrance to a Texans game, aided by pyrotechnics / Photo provided by Gatorade

“With the legends coming back this week, it’s a big game for us,” Ryans said. “We want to make sure we put out a good outing … to show what the 2023 Houston Texans football team looks like.”

The Steelers’ pass rush, led by the younger Watt, is a huge test for an offensive line coming off its best game of the season. The defense in general marks a measuring stick for a Houston offense that has exceeded expectations.

Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud has looked the part thus far, posting gaudy stat lines and winning the hearts of the Texans faithful. He generated 280 passing yards and two scores in last Sunday’s win and is yet to throw an interception. He’s the new face of the franchise, hoping to resemble Watt and Johnson.

“We want to do it the right way,” Ryans said. “Continue to play with a winning mindset, a winning style, a physical brand of football. We want those guys to be proud of what we do.”