The Westin Galleria ballroom was decked out in Battle Red, Deep Steel Blue and Liberty White as the franchise held the 10th annual Texans Team Luncheon presented by Amegy Bank of Texas on Tuesday. Kicking off the 2013 regular season in grand fashion, the Team Luncheon benefitted the Houston Texans Foundation and is the only event that brings all Texans players and coaches together to interact with fans.
Each player was assigned to a table and enjoyed lunch with fans and team sponsors. Texans founder and CEO Bob McNair and head coach Gary Kubiak addressed the sold out crowd, thanking the attendees for their continued support of the Texans and previewing the exciting season to come.
"It's amazing what's taking place each and every Sunday at Reliant Park, and you're the ones to thank for that," Kubiak said to the crowd. "Our game experience is incredible. When we walk into our stadium, I can tell you right now it's one of the toughest places to play in the National Football League, and as a team, I thank you for that."
During his speech, Kubiak let the audience in on a little prank he pulled. He asked rookies David Quessenberry and Willie Jefferson to stand, and informed them that he was joking when he told them to prepare speeches for the event.
"I've been watching them this whole time and they haven't been able to eat their lunch," he joked.
Emceed by "Texans Voice" Marc Vandermeer, the event also featured a Q & A session with coordinators Rick Dennison, Wade Phillips and Joe Marciano and players J.J. Watt, Arian Foster, Brian Cushing and Duane Brown.
The Texans open the regular season Monday, Sept. 9 at 9 p.m. CT at San Diego. The first home game of the season is Sept. 15 vs. Tennessee.
