Andre Johnson, the Houston Texans’ all-time leading receiver, was formally named to the NFL’s 2024 Hall of Fame class during Thursday’s NFL Honors in Las Vegas, marking the franchise’s first inductee. Former Los Angeles Chargers tight end Antonio Gates, receiver Torry Holt, defensive end Julius Peppers, linebacker Patrick Willis, defensive end Dwight Freeney, defensive tackle Steve McMichael, and return man Devin Hester will all join Johnson in Canto, Ohio. The induction ceremony will take place on August 3 in Canton.
Johnson, who was on the Hall of Fame ballot for the third time, consistently had the stats. After being drafted third overall by Houston in 2003 out of Miami, he went on to set every Texans receiver record throughout his 12 seasons with the team.
Johnson is 11th in NFL history in both receiving yards (14,185) and catches (1,062). He ranks 51st with 70 touchdown catches and was a four-time All-Pro pick. Throughout his 14-year career with the Texans, Indianapolis Colts, and Tennessee Titans, Johnson’s AFC South reputation was built on consistency. He is one of three players who led the NFL in receiving yards in consecutive seasons during the Super Bowl era. The other two are Jerry Rice and Calvin Johnson, both first-ballot Hall of Famers and franchise centerpieces for their respective clubs in the 1980s and 2000s. Johnson also recorded five 100-reception years and seven 1,000-yard years during his stint in Houston, a record that has yet to be broken by another Texans player.
As of Thursday, the only players with more receiving yards than Johnson who had not been inducted into the Hall were fellow HOF finalist Reggie Wayne, semifinalist Steve Smith Sr., and Larry Fitzgerald, who is not yet eligible for the ballot. Johnson had five seasons with 100 catches, more than Rice, Randy Moss, Cris Carter, and Marvin Harrison combined. His three 1,500-yard seasons are also matched with Harrison, with just one fewer than Rice. Johnson wasn’t afraid to get violent, making him one of the most feared players of his age. The 6-3, 230-pound playmaker became viral in 2010 after battling Titans cornerback Courtland Finnegan in the fourth quarter of a 20-0 win
Johnson never advanced beyond the semifinalist list in his first two appearances on the ballot by the Hall of Fame’s 50-member selection committee.
Johnson never shared the field with a Hall of Fame quarterback while at NRG Stadium. Rather than catching passes alongside Peyton Manning. Johnson was catching touchdown passes from David Carr, Tony Banks, Dave Ragone, Matt Schaub, Case Keenum, Ryan Fitzpatrick, and Ryan Mallett, as well as Kurt Warner and Tom Brady.
Johnson, who became the first member of the Texans’ Ring of Honor in 2017, has long been the face of Houston sports.
Now, he will be remembered as one of the greatest players in league history.
