J.J. Watt has made countless trips to his home state of Wisconsin since he entered the NFL five years ago.
On Dec. 4, he will finally get a chance to play his first NFL game there.
Watt will make his professional debut at Lambeau Field in Week 13 when the Texans travel to Green Bay. The three-time AP Defensive Player of the Year will face Aaron Rodgers and the Packers for just the second time in his career (Week 6, 2012).
Watt, who often refers to himself as "just a boy from Pewaukee, Wisconsin," may even get to play in snow or winter conditions, the kind that make up the storied history of Lambeau. In fact, the Texans coldest game in franchise history came at that stadium Dec. 7, 2008, which they won 24-21.
"I look forward to it," Watt once said of the possibility of snow in an NFL game. "Growing up in the cold, it's a little bit different than down here. Football season is kind of when you start to get that crisp in the air in Wisconsin. As you play, you start to get a little bit more and then some snow."
Watt owns a cabin in Wisconsin, one that he regularly visits during the offseason. His charity, the J.J. Watt Foundation provides support to after-school athletic programs in both Wisconsin and Texas.
Head coach Bill O'Brien will also coach his first game at Lambeau Field in December. Entering his third season as head coach, O'Brien appreciates the history surrounding Lambeau.
"That's one stadium in the NFL that I have not been to," O'Brien said in an exclusive interview with Texans TV. "We didn't play them on the road when I was in New England. Any time you have a shot to go to Lambeau, to play against the Green Bay Packers, a legendary franchise, Vince Lombardi, the history of the game, all the great players that have played there, it means a lot to your team. One of the things about playing a game like that, not only are you playing a great team coached by Mike McCarthy, Aaron Rodgers their quarterback, all the great players they have, but the history of the game involved in that particular football game means a lot to our guys."
The Texans kickoff against the Packers is set for Sunday, Dec. 4 at noon on CBS.
The Texans will travel 15,308 miles in the 2016 regular season, and play in these venues.
The Texans' 1st road game is a Thursday-nighter on Sept. 22 at New England.
The Texans' 1st road game is a Thursday-nighter on Sept. 22 at New England.
The Texans' 1st road game is a Thursday-nighter on Sept. 22 at New England.
The Texans' 1st road game is a Thursday-nighter on Sept. 22 at New England.
On Oct. 9 the Texans are at U.S. Bank Stadium against the Vikings.
On Oct. 9 the Texans are at U.S. Bank Stadium against the Vikings.
On Oct. 9 the Texans are at U.S. Bank Stadium against the Vikings.
The Texans are at Sports Authority Stadium in Denver on Oct. 24.
The Texans are at Sports Authority Stadium in Denver on Oct. 24.
The Texans are at Sports Authority Stadium in Denver on Oct. 24.
The Texans are at Sports Authority Stadium in Denver on Oct. 24.
At Jacksonville's EverBank Stadium on November 13.
At Jacksonville's EverBank Stadium on November 13.
At Jacksonville's EverBank Stadium on November 13.
At Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on MNF, Nov. 21 vs. Raiders.
At Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on MNF, Nov. 21 vs. Raiders.
At Azteca Stadium in Mexico City on MNF, Nov. 21 vs. Raiders.
At Lambeau Field in Green Bay on December 4.
At Lambeau Field in Green Bay on December 4.
At Lambeau Field in Green Bay on December 4.
At Lambeau Field in Green Bay on December 4.
At Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Dec. 11
At Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Dec. 11
At Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Dec. 11
At Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis on Dec. 11
At Nissan Stadium in Nashville vs. the Titans on Jan. 1.
At Nissan Stadium in Nashville vs. the Titans on Jan. 1.
At Nissan Stadium in Nashville vs. the Titans on Jan. 1.
At Nissan Stadium in Nashville vs. the Titans on Jan. 1.
