Ex-Texan Johnson a step closer
Former receiver praises coaches after being among 26 semifinalists
Former Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson moved one step closer to being voted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Wednesday when he was announced as one of 26 semifinalists for the Class of 2022.
The next step in the process is for the Hall of Fame selection committee to reduce the semifinalists to 15 finalists in December. The Class of 2022 will be voted on in January and announced during Super Bowl week in February.
“I’m excited and kind of speechless about it,” Johnson said Wednesday. “I don’t know how to describe it. It’s breathtaking to even be considered.”
If Johnson makes it, he’ll be the first Texan to be enshrined in Canton, Ohio.
“It shows all the hard work and dedication are paying off,” he said. “When you play this game, you never think about being in the Hall of Fame. You just play the game because you love it. It’s an honor to just be considered.”
Asked what it would mean to him to make the list of 15 finalists and be voted into the Hall of Fame, Johnson said, “It would mean so much. As long as I played, I never thought, ‘I want to go in the Hall of Fame.’ I just played the game because I enjoyed it so much.”
Johnson praised his coaches and teammates. He singled out three coaches – Gary Kubiak, Kyle Shanahan and Larry Kirksey.
Kubiak was Johnson’s head coach from 2006-13. Shanahan coached receivers and quarterbacks and served as Kubiak’s offensive coordinator during his four seasons (2006-09) with the Texans. Kirksey was Johnson’s position coach for seven years (2007-13).
“Coaches played a big part, and I can’t thank them enough,” Johnson said. “When Coach Kubiak came in, things instantly changed for me because of the way he got me involved in the game plan and was determined to get the ball to me. He had a big effect on my career.”
In his first year of eligibility, Johnson was one of seven first-time semifinalists that included former Texans nose tackle Vince Wilfork, who won two Super Bowls with New England before playing his last two seasons in Houston.
Former Oilers running back Eddie George, the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1996 – their last season in Houston before moving to Tennessee – is a semifinalist for the first time.
Other than Johnson and Wilfork, others making the semifinals in their first year of eligibility are receiver Anquan Boldin, receiver Steve Smith, outside linebacker DeMarcus Ware, defensive end Robert Mathis and return specialist Devin Hester.
Other semifinalists are linebacker Sam Mills, defensive tackle Richard Seymour, linebacker Zach Thomas, running back Fred Taylor, running back Ricky Watters, receiver Reggie Wayne, receiver Torry Holt, receiver Hines Ward, offensive tackle Tony Boselli, offensive tackle Willie Anderson, cornerback Eric Allen, cornerback Ronde Barber, safety LeRoy Butler, safety Darren Woodson, linebacker Patrick Willis, defensive end Jared Allen, defensive tackle Bryce Young and special teamer Steve Tasker.