CANTON, Ohio — Andre Johnson knows his induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame isn’t simply about him.
As the first Houston Texan to become a member of the esteemed group, the receiver is representing so much more.
“This was for the whole city of Houston. It’s for the whole organization,” Johnson said. “Just hearing … grown men telling me that they were crying. Having people tell you that God gave us a superhero here in Houston. Those are things that you don’t even realize how people look up to you or (how) you playing that game can affect a city.”
Pro Hall of Fame Enshrinement updates
Follow all of the big moments from Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.
No. 375 - Johnson's Hall of Fame speech at induction ceremony
If you didn't see Andre Johnson's full Hall of Fame speech, here it is.
KHOU 11's Jason Bristol talked to one of Johnson's teammates who is also destined for the Pro Football Hall of Fame. JJ Watt said Johnson was a leader by example. He also said he Johnson whispered, the whole team listened.
Johnson's bust is finally unveiled in what he describes as a 'special moment.'
“I can't lie. I am happy as hell,” Johnson said during his speech. “I have reached the pinnacle.”
J.J. Watt on Johnson being enshrined
Former Texans teammate J.J. Watt spoke on what Johnson's enshrinement means.
"To see (Andre Johnson) be showered with love and affection and know he has to accept it, is awesome!" Watt told our Jason Bristol. "Because he deserves every single ounce of (positive) energy that every fan is throwing his way and the whole football world is throwing his way."
Houston native and former Texas Longhorns star enshrined
In a special ceremony, former Chicago Bears star defensive lineman Steve McMichael was enshrined in a very special ceremony on Saturday. McMichael, a member of the legendary 1985 Bears defense is bedridden due to the effects of ALS. However, he was joined by his teammates and family as his bust was presented to him at his home.
Former Texans rival enshrined in Canton
Texans fans know former Indianapolis Colts defensive end Dwight Freeney all too well after he terrorized offenses over the course of his career. He has now been enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Gates open at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium
After a weather delay, the gates finally opened at 12:12 p.m. for fans to enter Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. The enshrinement was scheduled to begin at noon but did not get going until about 12:40 p.m.
Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement delayed due to weather
Storms moving through the area have led to a delay in Saturday's ceremony at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. The ceremony was originally scheduled to begin at noon.
“Due to heavy rain in the area, the start time for Enshrinement of the Class of 2024 will be delayed. More details will be provided as they become available,” the Pro Football Hall of Fame posted on social media just after 10:30 a.m.
Pro Football Hall of Fame Parade
KHOU 11's Jason Bristol caught up with Johnson at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Parade on Saturday.
"When you put it on, though, it makes you feel different," Johnson said of his new Pro Football Hall of Fame Gold Jacket. "For that to happen, it was truly an amazing feeling."
Johnson was not the only football legend representing H-Town in Saturday's parade.
"Doctor Doom" Robert Brazile, a member of the 2018 Class, said Johnson deserves to be here.
"We're not giving this to him, he deserves to be here," the former Houston Oilers star said." 375 is his new number."
Here is a look at the float for the GOAT.
Andre Johnson's career
Johnson didn’t join the expansion team until its second year when he was taken with the third overall pick in the 2003 draft. But he quickly became the star — and face of the fledging franchise.
“I can’t think of anyone more deserving to be the Texans’ first Hall of Fame inductee than Andre Johnson,” Texans owner Cal McNair said. “Every time he took the field, we knew he was bringing an incomparable passion and intensity that was a joy to watch. His impact across our community is immeasurable and we are thrilled he has secured his rightful place in NFL history forever.”
He spent 12 seasons in Houston, where he remains atop the team’s receiving records. He had 1,012 receptions for 13,597 yards and 64 touchdowns and notched 51 100-yard games while with the Texans.
Johnson finished his career with a season each in Indianapolis and Tennessee to reach 14,185 yards receiving, which is the 11th most yards receiving in NFL history.
He had seven 1,000-yard receiving seasons and surpassed 1,500 yards three times, including in 2012 when he piled up a career-high 1,598 yards.
Johnson spent his first three seasons playing for coach Dom Capers but believes things started to change for him when Gary Kubiak took over in the 2006 season.
Kubiak, Johnson said, told him after his first season in Houston that things were going to be a bit different moving forward.
“He was like: ‘Hey, I’m going to have to move you around. You’re going to have to learn everything that goes on in the offense,’” Johnson said. “And I learned every position. If you look at some games, there was some games I even lined up at fullback and he would motion me out of the backfield.”
Johnson missed seven games with injuries in 2007 before posting some of his best seasons in the next two years. He led the NFL with 1,575 yards receiving in 2008 and topped the league again in 2009 with 1,569 yards.
“I give coach Kubiak a lot of credit because I guess there was just something that he saw in me as a player, and it helped elevate my game,” Johnson said. “It helped take my game to another level.”
For that, he selected Kubiak to present him at the ceremony Saturday.
Johnson led the Texans to their first winning record with his spectacular 2009 season and helped the team to its first playoff berth in 2011 followed by another playoff appearance in 2012.
In those playoff years, Johnson starred on offense and J.J. Watt became the team’s defensive star. The defensive end, who is almost sure to soon join Johnson in the Hall of Fame, beamed as he congratulated his former teammate on the honor in a video released by the Texans.
“Congratulations, you have earned it. You deserve it,” Watt said. “You have a gold jacket and you will now and forever be remembered as one of the greatest players to ever play this game and damn is that rightfully so.”
Johnson, who still lives in Houston, has been bombarded by fans around town since he was elected to the Hall of Fame. The soft-spoken star normally shies away from attention but has embraced the hubbub during this special time.
And he expects the love that he’s gotten in Houston to continue during his trip to Ohio for the ceremony.
“I already told people in Canton that they better get ready, because Houston’s going to show up and show out,” Johnson said. “But just the love I’ve received from this city and the fans, it’s truly been great. It’s been a fun time.”
