On a day that was dominated by thunderstorms, the clouds parted Andre Johnson.
The Texans wide receiver was enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio on Saturday afternoon. He was the seventh and final inductee to speak, and if you ask anyone with a Houston connection, the Hall saved the best for last.
The ceremony was delayed two hours because of inclement weather, but the rains were gone by Johnson's time at the podium, which followed defensive lineman Julius Peppers. The sun shined brightly for #80's induction.
ESPN's Chris Berman began his introduction of Johnson with "Houston, we have no problem," and the boisterous Texans fans, players and former teammates of Johnson's greeted that with a roar or approval.
Berman gave way to a video featuring former Texans Head Coach Gary Kubiak, who pointed out that while Johnson and the Texans never won a Super Bowl, the wide receiver is now forever on a championship team in Canton.
Johnson took to the podium after he and Kubiak lifted a yellow cloth off his bronze bust, and he hit all the right notes.
He spread thanks and love to his former teammates, Kubiak, the McNair family, and his own family. Talking about those loved ones, especially his mother Karen, understandably made Johnson emotional.
"People just look at us as superheroes because we play football," Johnson said. "But at the end of the day, we're human and we have feelings, and we have emotions and things that we battle with. It was just a special moment."
Johnson also took time to single out the Texans fans, thousands of whom were in attendance at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium for the festivities.
"Seeing all those fans here today, it didn't surprise me at all," Johnson said after the speech. "They've truly embraced me and showed me so much love, even right now to this day. Like I said, I'm happy as hell to be their first Pro Football Hall of Famer."
After that stirring speech, Johnson harkened back to his belief of celebrating hard after playing hard.
"Now that's out the way, it's time to party," Johnson said.
Andre Johnson's Hall of Fame bust was unveiled before his speech in Canton, OH on August 3, 2024.
