When DeAndre Hopkins became a Texan, he knew only a little about the city of Houston.
Hopkins did know about one player, immortalized in the franchise's history with his records, who would teach him everything he needed to know about becoming an NFL wide receiver.
"First thing I knew about Houston was Andre Johnson, one of the best receivers in the game," Hopkins said on Texans TV. "I've only played receiver for three years. He's this legend that you hear about. One of the nicest persons you ever hear about on and off the field."
Hopkins, a first-round draft pick, played two seasons with the two-time All-Pro and seven-time Pro Bowl receiver. In just the second game of his NFL career, Hopkins caught the game-winning touchdown in overtime when the Texans defeated the Titans in Week 2 of the 2013 season. Johnson left the game early with an injury and Hopkins finished with seven receptions for 117 yards in the 30-24 win.
"He was one of the first people to meet me after the game, coming up to the tunnel," Hopkins said. "I could tell how excited he was, just about my presence, being here on the team, just excited in general that we won and what I did to help the team win. Just how happy he was and how excited he was when I walked up the tunnel, he almost knocked me down from jumping on me. To me, that was one of my favorite moments of him and me."
The Texans will honor Andre Johnson during Sunday's game against the Arizona Cardinals. The franchise's all-time leading wide receiver will become the first member of the Houston Texans Ring of Honor.
The kids from Houston Texans YMCA hosted Andre Johnson a retirement party with special guests Chester Pitts, Johnathan Joseph and Kareem Jackson.
