Texans legend rides off into the sunset

CONTRIBUTED BY: JOHN DAVID SUAYAN

Another chapter in the sad tome that is Houston sports has been written.

On Mar. 2, Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson, arguably the team’s greatest player, decided to part ways with the only NFL team he’s ever caught a pass for.

Gone is the man who most Houston sports fans believe should occupy the fourth spot on the Bayou City Mt. Rushmore next to Hakeem Olajuwon, Nolan Ryan and Earl Campbell (no disrespect to Craig Biggio or J.J Watt).

No. 80 created a Texas-size name for himself as the Texans’ No. 1 receiver from the moment he was selected third in the 2003 NFL Draft. A tad above 1,000 receptions. Nearly 15,000 receiving yards. More than 60 touchdowns. He racked up those numbers despite not having an elite quarterback for a teammate. Never mind that he spent more than a decade with the Texans, who wallowed in mediocrity more times than I can count on both hands.

Like any diehard Texans fan, my heart is broken that Johnson is not going to retire in the Deep Steel Blue, Liberty White and Battle Red. But then again, the NFL is a business and Johnson deserves to win a Super Bowl ring with a team that has better odds to do so than the Texans i.e. the Patriots or the Seahawks.

I and so many others who watched “’Dre” go from boy to man beneath the bright lights of NRG Stadium since Bush 43 was in the White House can only hope for the best for him even if said best isn’t at Houston’s pleasure. He’s done more good than bad on and off the field. And unlike how LeBron James left Cleveland, Johnson broke it to us gently. Granted, I harbor no bad feelings toward him.

Good luck and happy trails, ‘Dre. Once a Texan, always a Texan.

John David Suayan is a UHCL alumnus currently working toward a 7-12 social studies teacher certification at UHCL.