Houston, Humble honor hometown rookie Green
Kenyon Green took his sister shopping Wednesday morning. He wanted to spend some time with Kamirah Green and buy her some gifts before he starts his first NFL training camp with his hometown Texans on July 29.
Spending time with each other has always been the Green family motto.
“I didn’t realize it till this morning,” said Green about his 713 shirt. “We got these 713 shirts, and it tells you the population of every county and everything, so it kind of played its part, and it just came together, and it’s kind of cool.”
It wasn’t just another day Wednesday in the city of Houston or the city of Humble.
The city of Houston celebrates 713 Day, its unofficial holiday named after Houston’s oldest area code, annually on July 13.
But July 13, 2022, was proclaimed Kenyon Green Day in Houston and Humble, where Green grew up and played middle school ball and under the Friday night lights for Atascocita High School.
Mayor Pro-Tem Dave Martin (District E) handed Green a proclamation from the city of Houston, and Humble Mayor Norman Funderburk handed him the proclamation from the city of Humble in the Humble City Hall building.
“I want to thank God and my family,” Green, who went to Texas A&M, said after receiving both proclamations in plaques. “Thank my coaches and school (Atascocita) and everyone in the community for always believing in me. I’m just going to put my head down and keep working. Keep being the man I am and keep growing.
Making sure that I can impact the youth, and I thank y’all truly.”
One by one, coaches came to the podium and shared their thoughts about Green and stories of his days at Atascocita.
First, Funderburk showed pictures of Kenyon he had taken when the offensive lineman donned the Atascocita colors at Turner Stadium.
“Humble is big on history,” Funderburk said to the crowd. “Kenyon is the first first-round draft pick from Atascocita High School and the first first-round draft pick from Humble ISD to be picked by the hometown team.”
Green was selected by the Texans with the No. 15 overall pick in the first round of the 2022 NFL draft in April.
Atascocita football coach Craig Stump told Green he was proud of him and that he allowed himself to be coached and pushed. He reminded Green he got that from his family, who were sitting right in the front row.
Green’s offensive line coach, Todd Moses, has spent more time with Green than any other coach at Atascocita. He has had him over for dinner, especially when his wife is cooking chicken spaghetti, often talking about life and Green’s play on the field.
“I’m proud of the man that he has become more than anything,” Moses said. “He grew into the man we thought he could be.”
Atascocita principal Will Falker told Green his jersey will be retired during the Texans’ open week this season and thanked him for everything that he has done in the community.
Next up for Green is training camp, during which he is expected to compete for a starting spot on the Texans’ offensive line.
“This is what I wanted,” Green said. “This is what I have been dreaming about: this moment. I’m going to put my head down and work.”