Texans Great Andre Johnson Among Pro Football HOF Finalists

HOUSTON, TX — Houston Texans all-time great Andre Johnson was named a finalist for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022, the NFL announced Thursday.

Johnson was one of three first-time eligible former players, along with Dallas Cowboys edge rusher DeMarcus Ware and electric returner Devin Hester, to be named finalists on the NFL Network.

"It means a lot," Johnson told the Houston Texans website. "I always tell people that you don't play the game to become a Hall of Famer. You play the game to be a great player and help the team be successful. I don't think it has really set in yet. It's a tremendous honor. I'm thankful to the Hall of Fame committee for voting me as a finalist. It's the biggest achievement you can have as a football player other than winning a Super Bowl. I'm excited about it, very humbled and very appreciative of the people who helped me throughout my career."

The Texans selected Johnson out of Miami with the third overall pick of the 2003 NFL Draft. He played in Houston from 2003 to 2014, and he is the Texans' all-time leader in receptions (1,012), receiving yards (13,597) and receiving touchdowns (64). Johnson was a four-time AP All-Pro selection with the Texans, including twice on the first team in 2008 and 2009, and made seven Pro Bowls. He led the NFL in receptions in 2006 and 2008 and receiving yards in 2008 and 2009.

Johnson played two more seasons after being released by the Texans, one each with the Indianapolis Colts and Tennessee Titans, before retiring after the 2016 season with career totals of 1,062 catches for 14,185 yards and 70 touchdowns.

He was the first member inducted into the Texans Ring of Honor in 2017, and if selected, he would be the first member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame to spend his career primarily with the Texans. Hall of Fame safety Ed Reed, who was an eight-time All-Pro with the Baltimore Ravens, spent half of the 2013 season with the Texans.

Johnson is among 15 modern-era finalists for the Class of 2022. Former Oakland and Los Angeles Raiders receiver Cliff Branch is the senior finalist, while former NFL Director of Officiating Art McNally is the contributor finalist and former Philadelphia Eagles, St. Louis Rams and Kansas City Chiefs coach Dick Vermeil is the coach finalist.

Here are the modern-era finalists for the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2022:

• Jared Allen, DE — 2004-2007 Kansas City Chiefs, 2008-2013 Minnesota Vikings, 2014-2015 Chicago Bears, 2015 Carolina Panthers
• Willie Anderson, OT — 1996-2007 Cincinnati Bengals, 2008 Baltimore Ravens
• Ronde Barber, DB — 1997-2012 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
• Tony Boselli, T — 1995-2001 Jacksonville Jaguars, 2002 Houston Texans (injured reserve)
• LeRoy Butler, S — 1990-2001 Green Bay Packers
• Devin Hester, PR/KR/WR — 2006-2013 Chicago Bears, 2014-2015 Atlanta Falcons, 2016 Baltimore Ravens, 2016 Seattle Seahawks
• Torry Holt, WR — 1999-2008 St. Louis Rams, 2009 Jacksonville Jaguars
• Andre Johnson, WR — 2003-2014 Houston Texans, 2015 Indianapolis Colts, 2016 Tennessee Titans
• Sam Mills, LB — 1986-1994 New Orleans Saints, 1995-97 Carolina Panthers
• Richard Seymour, DE/DT — 2001-08 New England Patriots, 2009-2012 Oakland Raiders
• Zach Thomas, LB — 1996-2007 Miami Dolphins, 2008 Dallas Cowboys
• DeMarcus Ware, LB — 2005-2013 Dallas Cowboys, 2014-2016 Denver Broncos
• Reggie Wayne, WR — 2001-2014 Indianapolis Colts
• Patrick Willis, LB — 2007-2014 San Francisco 49ers
• Bryant Young, DE/DT — 1994-2007 San Francisco 49ers