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 was honored by the Astros Tuesday night.
They had a pregame ceremony and presented Johnson with a custom bat. His mother Karen joined him on the field for the presentation. Then he threw out the first pitch to Astros legend and fellow Hall-of-Famer Craig Biggio.
"It was great, man, just to be here," Johnson said. "... It was a great turnout."
Johnson said he's looking forward to heading to Canton, Ohio with his family for the Hall of Fame events. But he's a little nervous about his speech during the induction ceremony.
"A lot of people know I don't like to speak, so to get up in front of all those people and give a speech, it will be different," Johnson said. "But it will be fun. I'm happy that my family, my friends, I have a lot of people coming up to see it, it's a lot of people been with me on the journey, so I get to experience it with them."
Johnson recently told KHOU 11's Jason Bristol that he plans to speak from the heart.
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!
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.
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.