‘I’m one of these guys?’ Andre Johnson in awe of Hall of Fame honor, even as others saw it coming

Andre Johnson never envisioned Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement for himself.

Throughout his playing days, including a legendary NFL career in which he terrorized defenses for the better part of 14 seasons, the wide receiver always aspired to greatness. And for years, Johnson watched on television the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Canton, Ohio. But Johnson always associated those images and accolades — the bronze busts, gold jackets, moving speeches, cheers from adoring fans — with players he idolized, not himself.

“I just never thought I would be a part of it,” Johnson, 43, said last week. “I never was like, ‘Oh, I want to be a Hall of Famer.’ I think for me, because I’m such a fan of the game, I was always excited to see other guys get in. But to be honest, I never really thought about it. Of course, when you’re playing, reporters would come up after games, telling me, ‘You could possibly be in the Hall of Fame one day,’ and things of that nature. But I really just never thought about it.

“So, to get that knock on the door,” Johnson added, referring to the visit he received from Hall of Fame wide receiver Cris Carter welcoming him into the NFL’s most elite fraternity, “that was special.”

Johnson on Saturday will officially take his place in pro football’s hallowed hall. He enters the Hall of Fame along with return man Devin Hester, pass rushers Dwight Freeney and Julius Peppers, linebackers Patrick Willis and Randy Gradishar, and interior defensive lineman Steve McMichael.

Johnson ranks 11th on the NFL’s all-time receiving yards (14,185) and receptions (1,062) lists, with seven Pro Bowl seasons and two first-team All-Pro selections to his name. He is now more comfortable with his inclusion in the Hall of Fame, roughly six months after learning he made the cut in his third year as a finalist.

He understands the significance of the honor, and how much it means to his family, his fans and to the Houston Texans, as he becomes the franchise’s first Hall of Famer. However, there’s still a part of Johnson that finds it hard to believe.

“The first time I went to visit the Hall of Fame (earlier this year), I walked in that room with those busts, and I think, for me, it was just kind of like, ‘Man, I’m one of these guys?’” he said. “There were so many greats to play this game and to be sitting in that room with those guys is a great feeling. I kind of feel like I’m dreaming a little bit.”

No one familiar with Johnson’s body of work has ever questioned his credentials or worthiness.

“One of my favorite players I’ve ever coached. One of my favorite people I’ve ever coached,” said San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan, who was Houston’s wide receivers coach in 2006 and offensive coordinator in 2008 and 2009. “Andre was such a stud. Him and Julio (Jones) are the two most talented receivers I’ve ever been around. And Andre is probably the hardest worker I’ve ever been around — and not just receiver. He was always in shape, always knew how to work, never took one play off, never turned anything down in the run game. He was a true stud and a true Hall of Famer.”

The Hall of Fame sends happy birthday wishes to @HoustonTexans Legend Andre Johnson, who received this special gift earlier this year! The Class of 2024 member turns 43 today. 🎂 🎉 #HBD pic.twitter.com/tNQXy4KwNb

— Pro Football Hall of Fame (@ProFootballHOF) July 11, 2024

Johnson’s unassuming view to pro football’s highest individual honor makes sense given the humility, hunger and intense focus that served as the themes of his career. After Houston selected Johnson with the No. 3 pick in the 2003 NFL Draft, he spent 12 years with the Texans, followed by one season with the Indianapolis Colts and eight games with the Tennessee Titans. He retired in 2016.

He played a position often associated with flashy and flamboyant personalities. Yet it’s a struggle to find any memorable sound bites from Johnson, and there were certainly no attention-seeking off-field antics.

Johnson was often described during his playing career as “quiet” or as a “silent assassin.” But in truth, Johnson was anything but quiet, and he certainly didn’t fly under the radar in the areas that truly mattered.

At 6-foot-3, 229 pounds, Johnson stood out because of his size. And he came out of the University of Miami boasting a 4.37-second 40-yard dash time, 41-inch vertical leap and a long jump of 10 feet, 9 inches.

Johnson made plenty of noise, using speed and crisp route running to beat defenders, and power to snatch away 50-50 balls or break tackles, move the chains and score touchdowns.

“Andre Johnson is a unicorn in his own right,” said Miami Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel, who was an offensive assistant in Houston from 2006 to 2008. “Not only was he certifiably the biggest athletic freak at his position in a world where sometimes super-talented guys could get away with shortchanging their work ethic, you had this guy that was on a mission to be great and to get everything out of himself.”

Johnson credits former University of Miami wide receivers coach Curtis Johnson for his relentless pursuit of perfection. Curtis Johnson taught Andre Johnson the importance of film study, how to break down his own game and practice performances with an ultra-critical eye, and then how to improve on the finer details on the field.

“He kind of gave me the blueprint of what being a professional was like,” Andre Johnson said. “So, when I came into the league, I was already a note-taker and was already watching a lot of film and things of that nature. … The transition was very smooth.”

In Johnson’s rookie season, he had 66 catches for 976 yards and four touchdowns. The following season, he reached the Pro Bowl after recording the first of seven 1,000-yard seasons, including a pair of back-to-back, league-leading 1,500-yard campaigns (2008 and 2009).

“He was just a businessman,” said former defensive back Will Blackmon, who played against Johnson in college and in the NFL, via text message. “He showed up, went to work, didn’t say a word, put up some great numbers and went home.”

“I won’t run my mouth back at you… But on the next play I’m gonna do everything I can to embarrass you in front of the whole world.”

Andre Johnson let his play do the talking.@johnson80 @HoustonTexans (quote via @FlemESPN) pic.twitter.com/QoNXojXCK2

— NFL Legacy (@NFLLegacy) March 30, 2019

For Johnson, on-field statements proved far more satisfying and effective than any verbal barbs.

“I was never a big trash-talker,” he said. “I felt like if you go out on the field and you handle your business, that will do enough talking. You know, you don’t have to jaw-jack with a guy. You just go out there, take it to him and embarrass him, then there ain’t really anything to talk about.”

As Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin put it: “His tape did all the talking. He was simply a beast. You know, his size, his agility, his body control, the skills that he displayed relative to the position, late hands, etc. He was just a monster to deal with in one-on-one circumstances.”

Perhaps one of the most remarkable aspects of Johnson’s prolific career was that he dominated without the luxury of a star quarterback. (David Carr, Matt Schaub and Ryan Fitzpatrick were Houston’s starters during Johnson’s 12 seasons there). Johnson used his physical gifts, unmatched diligence, consistency and reliability to compensate for that fact, and thus elevated the level of play of those around him.

“When I say that he was the heart and soul of the team, it’s because he was the best player and he was also the tone-setter for how we did our business, how we worked,” McDaniel said. “All those things: The combination of the all-star player and that baseline tone-setter for how people attack their day, he made everyone better who was playing with him or against him. And he never, ever, ever had one day where he compromised that identity.”

Now, that identity and refusal to compromise has earned Johnson pro football immortality.

(Photo: Bob Levey / Getty Images)