HOUSTON — As the countdown to Canton continues for Andre Johnson's induction into the Pro Football Hall of Fame this weekend, the Houston Texans legend will be honored by the Astros.
Fans are encouraged to arrive early for Tuesday night's game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Johnson will be honored during a special pregame ceremony and then he'll throw out the first pitch to Astros legend Craig Biggio, who is in the Baseball Hall of Fame. The first 10,000 fans will receive a special Andre Johnson Bobblehead.
Johnson recently spoke with KHOU 11's Jason Bristol about what to expect from his Hall of Fame speech. He admitted it was tough to write.
"When I get up to speak, I just speak from my heart," he said. "I never really write things out, but it wasn't hard to write because, you know, I just kind of, you know, based it off YouTube, some people, you know, just kind of listen to some guys' speeches."
We asked if he was nervous about giving such an important speech in front of so many people.
"I don't know," he said. "I've never had to stand up and talk in front of that many people, so I'm just going to get up there and do my best and, you know, just tell my story."
What a story it is. He's one of the greatest wide receivers of all time. Johnson played with a variety of quarterbacks. He recently saw his gold jacket for the first time and he said that was another moment when it started to feel real.
RELATED: Watch the moment Longtime Texans WR Andre Johnson learned he was in the Pro Football Hall of Fame
You can see Jason Bristol's full interview with Andre Johnson here.
The Hall of Fame weekend will feature the Texans vs. the Bears on Aug. 1 The induction ceremony is on Aug. 3.
Jason Bristol is heading to Canton for Andre Johnson's Hall of Fame induction and the Texans Hall of Fame match-up with the Bears. Stay with KHOU 11 and KHOU.com for complete coverage!
Who will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2024?
Andre Johnson is being enshrined into the Hall along with Dwight Freeney, Randy Gradishar, Devin Hester, Steve McMichael, Julius Peppers and Patrick Willis.
A Hall of Fame career
Andre Johnson spent 12 seasons with the Texans. He still holds several of the team’s records, including being the all-time leader in receptions, receiving yards, receiving touchdowns and 100-yard games.
After the Texans, Johnson went on to play for Tennessee and Indianapolis. Houston signed him to a one-day contract to allow him to retire as a Texan.
Johnson became the first player to spend the bulk of his career with the Texans to make the Hall of Fame.
A first-round pick in Houston’s second season in 2003, Johnson led the league in receiving yards twice, was a two-time All-Pro and had seven 1,000-yard seasons despite spending most of his career without an elite quarterback.
Johnson is one of three members of the Houston Texans Ring of Honor. The other two are JJ Watt and the team’s late owner, Bob McNair.