How Texans tight end, former running back Brevin Jordan found extra gear on epic touchdown: ‘Felt an extra boost’

HOUSTON – Brevin Jordan adeptly baited the Cleveland Browns’ defense into thinking he was just going to block at the line of scrimmage, creating the confusion that led to his epic touchdown.

Once the Texans’ tight end drifted into the flat near the sideline, he was wide open and caught a pass in stride from rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. Eluding a tackle attempt as cornerback Martin Emerson caught nothing but air as he whiffed completely, Jordan channeled his inner running back and was off to the races for a 76-yard touchdown catch-and-run that permanently cemented the momentum in the Texans’ 45-14 AFC wild-card playoff victory over the Browns at NRG Stadium.

Jordan, a Las Vegas native who urged reporters to check out his YouTube videos as a kid playing running back, reached a top speed of 20.03 miles per hour for the third-fastest speed by a tight end carrying the football this season on the touchdown as he ran for 72 yards after the catch, according to Next Gen Stats.

Concern that someone might catch up with him fueled Jordan, a 6-foot-3, 245-pound former fifth-round draft pick from the University of Miami.

“I felt somebody on my hip, so when I felt somebody on my hip after I made the cut, I just got my knees up,” Jordan said. “Because he was there, I felt an extra boost, push on me or something. It was crazy.”

Jordan, 23, scored his third touchdown of the season. He caught 17 passes for 219 yards and two scores in 14 games and six starts during the regular season. The backup to Dalton Schultz, who also scored a touchdown, now has six career touchdowns through three NFL seasons.

“If you go on YouTube, I was a running back growing up my whole life,” said Jordan, who wore glasses in the locker room and a T-shirt stenciled with the words, Unhidden Emotion, across the front. “I really moved to receiver my freshman year of high school. I was a running back my whole life. So, I feel like that’s one of those things I really carry with me as a tight end. I like to say I’m a different type of guy. I’m smaller, so I like to be fast and stuff.”

Absolutely, Jordan is fast.

So fast that Jordan was shown on the sideline using an oxygen machine to get his wind back following his score that was set up by a downfield block from rookie wide receiver Xavier Hutchinson.

And so fast that apparently the NFL drug police want to test him out. Jordan was selected for a random drug test after the game and had the letter in his locker stall.

“It was special,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Brevin has been special all year. But to see the catch and the run after the catch, he turned the wheels on. He turned them on, and he took off. I think everyone was running right down the sideline with him. Brevin has done an awesome job. No play bigger in his career than that play.”

The touchdown set off a raucous celebration.

“Whenever you make a big play, the whole team is going to be electric,” Jordan said. “The energy is going to be unmatched. NRG today was unbelievable, shoutout to our fans. It was one of those things. We were just clicking, our whole offense was unbelievable.”

The play-calling from offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik was on point, too.

“Bobby Slowik is my guy,” Jordan said. “That dude is a little genius. He’s crafty. He shows trust in his players. He’s a great OC.”

The Texans were fueled by motivation, after being blown out, 36-22, on Christmas Eve by the Browns. From 3-13-1 a year ago, the Texans are now 11-7 and AFC South champions as they head to the AFC South divisional round

“Excuse my language, but when we got to the locker room today the song that was playing was that ‘Get-back is a mother----er,” Jordan said. “Whole lot of hard work from everybody in the building, from the people upstairs, players, coaches, everybody busts their tails in the building. It’s great to see the commitment every day.”

Catching passes from Stroud makes Jordan and everyone with the Texans’ jobs more enjoyable. The Rancho Cucamonga, California native completed 16 of 21 passes for 274 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions in becoming the youngest quarterback to win a playoff game, surpassing Michael Vick.

“Oh man, that’s him, that’s literally his identity,” Jordan said. “That’s how he carries himself outside of this building. He’s just an accomplished dude. He’s a West Coast killer. I’ve been saying that all day. That guy is unbelievable.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com.