The city of Houston is rallying in support of the Texans as they prepare for the second playoff game in franchise history.
Houston mayor Annise Parker proclaimed Friday to be "Go Houston Texans Day" in advance of Sunday's Divisional Round game at the Baltimore Ravens.
"City employees are urged to show their team spirit at work by wearing their Houston Texans team gear or something red," read a Wednesday e-mail from the mayor's office to all city employees. "Let's cheer the home team to another victory!"
Houston Independent School District superintendent Terry Grier declared Friday "Houston Texans Spirit Day" in HISD. Students, teachers, principals and HISD central office employees are being encouraged to wear Texans team attire on Friday.
"We want to show our support for a team that has brought a renewed sense of pride to our community, and for the many Texans players and staff who regularly give their time and resources to Houston schools," Dr. Grier said in a press release issued by HISD.
Organizers of the 40th annual Houston Marathon, which starts on Sunday at 6 a.m., hope to turn the event into the largest pep rally in the city's history. The estimated 28,000 runners and 200,000 spectators along the 26.2- mile course also are being encouraged to wear Texans gear.
According to the Houston Chronicle, Texans Cheerleaders and Texans fight songs will be part of the downtown marathon festivities. Giant TV screens at Discovery Green will air a live feed of the Texans-Ravens game when it starts at noon CT.
"I think it's just great," Texans president Jamey Rootes told the Chronicle. "We're so blessed in Houston to get this kind of community support."
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