The energy outside NRG Stadium on Reppin' H-Town Day was already electric, but when radio hosts Sean Pendergast and Seth Payne called Sebastian Cruz and Chris Alaniz up to the stage, nobody—least of all the two lifelong Texans fans—knew what was about to happen.
Dressed head-to-toe in full football gear, Sebastian sporting Henry To'oTo'o's #39 and Chris wearing Jake Hansen's jersey, the pair had become fixtures at Texans home games. Their infectious enthusiasm and game-day spectacle had made them impossible to miss, whether they were hyping up the crowd, taking photos with fans, or keeping the energy cranked from kickoff to the final whistle.
"How excited are we for the game inside here today?" Pendergast asked.
"We're here. We're lit," Sebastian responded. "Hey, it's game day. It's all I know."
For the first time ever, the Houston Texans are proud to honor a dynamic duo as our 2025 Texans Fans of the Year — The Duo Brothers, Chris Alaniz and Sebastian Cruz!
Chris and Sebastian are known for bringing the energy on gamedays and showing up to NRG Stadium in full football gear. Throughout the entire game, they hype up the crowd, take photos with fans, and keep the energy high until the final whistle. Their passion has caught national and international attention, and Texans linebacker Henry To'oTo'o surprised Sebastian at work with his game worn jersey — one that Sebastian proudly wears on gamedays.
With Chris serving on the Texans Fan Council and soon heading to the U.S. Marines, the Duo Brothers represent the spirit of Houston: loyal, energetic, and full of heart. Whether the team is up or down, they are always Reppin' H-Town.
A September 29th, 2024 image from the Regular Season Week 4 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
A September 29th, 2024 image from the Regular Season Week 4 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX.
An image from the October 27th, 2024 Week 8 home game against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX. The Texans won 23-20.
An image from the October 27th, 2024 Week 8 home game against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX. The Texans won 23-20.
An image from the October 27th, 2024 Week 8 home game against the Indianapolis Colts at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX. The Texans won 23-20.
An image from the November 24th, 2024 Week 12 home game against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX. The Texans lost 27-32.
An image from the November 24th, 2024 Week 12 home game against the Tennessee Titans at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX. The Texans lost 27-32.
An image from the December 25th, 2024 Regular season week 17 home game against the Baltimore Ravens at NRG Stadium in Houston, TX. The Texans lost 2-31.
An Unlikely Connection
The story of how Sebastian became Henry To'oTo'o's biggest fan is one of pure authenticity. Watching the linebacker at Alabama, something just clicked.
"People talk, they're comparing him to Brian Cushing. He has that aggressiveness," Sebastian explained to the hosts. "But the only difference is he's a little more on the chill side. But he's got that dog in him."
What started as admiration from afar became something more personal when To'oTo'o's wife, Cheyenne, spotted Sebastian's videos on TikTok. She reached out with a simple message: "We love you, thank you for representing us."
"It was the second year at the time, so she's like, hey, reach out if you see this video. So I reached out and then we message back and forth," Sebastian recalled. What happened next was pure Houston heart: Henry To'oTo'o himself showed up at Sebastian's workplace to personally deliver a signed jersey.
"Yeah, it was amazing," Sebastian said, still marveling at the memory.
Chris's connection to Jake Hansen, an undrafted special teams player, showed a different kind of devotion. "I just love the intensity that linebackers bring. I mean, really, they're bringing back all I see from these linebackers, especially the defense, is H-Town football."
Both had chosen to rep players that most casual fans might overlook—a fifth-round pick and an undrafted player—turning them into walking embodiments of loyalty and belief in the entire roster.
That deep connection to the team and the city is why this duo was chosen as the Texans Fans of the Year presented by Ticketmaster.
The Moment Everything Changed
The crowd erupted when The Duo Brothers learned the news.
"Let's go! Let's go! Let's go!" The chant built.
"Did you see this coming when you came up here?" Pendergast asked as the commotion settled.
"No, absolutely not!" Sebastian responded, still processing.
"And you're going to the Super Bowl. You're going to the Super Bowl in San Francisco," Pendergast said.
The Duo Brothers exploded in celebration, jumping and shouting, the weight of the moment washing over them. When they finally composed themselves enough to speak, Sebastian's first thought was about family: "I can't wait to tell my mom."
"Tell her you did it," someone encouraged.
"Mom, we did it. We did it."
More Than Just Fans
What makes The Duo Brothers special isn't just the elaborate costumes or the social media presence that caught ESPN's attention. It's their genuine love for Houston, their team, and their community.
Chris serves on the Texans Fan Council, helping shape the fan experience at NRG Stadium. Both make it a point to engage with every fan, regardless of which team they support. "We try to show our love for everybody. We try to make sure everybody's equal. We take pictures. We get everybody hyped up," Chris explained. "So really, it's just a family kind of thing here in Houston."
Their story also carries an element of service and sacrifice. With Chris preparing to depart for the U.S. Marines, their Fan of the Year presented by Ticketmaster honor takes on added meaning—a celebration of brotherhood and dedication that extends beyond the stadium.
The Spirit of H-Town
As the interview wound down and the reality of their win settled in, Pendergast asked for their prediction for the day's game.
"Houston on top," they responded in unison.
"That's what you become Fan of the Year for," Pendergast laughed.
In that moment, surrounded by the roar of the fans outside NRG Stadium, The Duo Brothers represented everything that makes Houston sports special: unwavering loyalty, infectious energy, and a belief that fandom isn't just about watching—it's about showing up, bringing the love, and repping your city with everything you've got.
From TikTok videos to the Super Bowl, Sebastian Cruz and Chris Alaniz proved that when you rep H-Town, you rep it all the way. And for 2025, they're doing it as the Houston Texans Fans of the Year presented by Ticketmaster—proving that fandom, family, and football are always stronger together.
Let's go, H-Town.
