Healthy and in shape, Texans left guard Kenyon Green: ‘I really want respect, my body is completely ready and prepared’

HOUSTON – Kenyon Green is in an altogether different mood on the football field nowadays after transforming his body and reshaping his thoughts into a powerful force of motivation.

Visibly lighter on his feet and in a sunnier outlook, Green is practically strutting to the line of scrimmage.

“Oh yeah, you are probably seeing that, moving around, dancing a little bit,” Green told KPRC 2. “You know, that’s my personality. That’s me. You know that’s me out there having fun communicating with my teammates. I feel great, coming out here to compete.

“I feel healthy and just excited to be out here with the guys. My body is completely ready and prepared. .. I feel like I matured over the years, going through the ups and the downs, the good and the bad, it made me the man I am today.”

The old narrative has changed for Green. His first two NFL seasons were defined by injuries and a rough start as a rookie starter who dealt with significant growing pains after being drafted in the first round out of Texas A&M.

Heading into his third NFL season, Green is in the lead to be the starting left guard for the defending AFC South champions after dramatically his body. Green lost dozens of pounds and a significant amount of body fat percentage through a healthier diet and a grueling workout regimen. The former 15th overall pick from Texas A&M trained consistently with the Texans’ strength and conditioning staff, supplementing his workouts with extra work at Ollin Athletics in Cypress and time at Nike in Oregon. He’s down to 315 pounds having lost roughly 30 pounds.

“This is probably the lowest I’ve been right now,” Green said. “It’s the perfect weight for me. I feel comfortable. I feel strong. I feel ready. I just got away to focus on my eating habits. I’m ready.”

Yes, Green was aware of the frequent criticism he received on social media and on sports talk radio programs. It only motivated him further.

“Definitely, I really want respect,” he said. “I’m coming out here doing what I need to do to prepare and be a help for my team. It’s football. Fans are going to be fans. You deal with them when you have to. I appreciate them for everything.”

The results are obvious, and now it’s up to the former Atascosita High School blue-chip recruit to apply his superior shape into results on the field. Through four practices at training camp, Green has been impressive.

“With Kenyon through the first two days I’ve seen a guy who is in shape and a guy who is ready to compete and that’s going to give him his best chance to put his best film out there and we’ll see,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Kenyon is available, so that’s going to continue to allow him to grow and become a better player because he’s done a great job in the offseason of working out, being attentive to all the details that the coaches have asked him to take care of, he’s been on it.

“That just gives him a chance and Keyon has the right mindset and he’s working hard and he’s working the proper way, so I’m excited to see how he continues to grow once we get pads on and once we play in games.”

Green missed the entire season last year with a torn labrum in his shoulder that required surgery. He has made a full recovery from the shoulder injury, a previous knee injury that required surgery. He appears quicker with more energy during practice sessions.

Adversity has made him stronger, on and off the field.

“I’m grateful to go do that,” Green said. “You’re going to have a rough time. You’ve got to learn how to fight through it. I’m here today, standing. I thank God for everything, because the NFL you can’t just walk in and go. There’s a learning curve. You’ve got to be able to learn with it. I’ve got to push through and continue to get better.”

Having time away from Texas to concentrate on his training and mental preparations made a huge difference for Green, a former Aggies consensus All-American.

“It was very important for my mind, mentally getting away, different scenery,” Green said. “It really helped me get to this point and my mindset now.”

For Green, it’s a different personal sound track than the difficulties of his rookie season when he had his ups and downs. Green allowed 47 pressures and four sacks in 823 snaps. He had a 37.7 Pro Football Focus blocking grade, a 27.0 pass protection mark for the season, including a season-low 3.6 pass-blocking grade against the Washington Commanders when he struggled to slow down the charge of defensive tackles Jonathan Allen and Daron Payne. Green gave up two sacks and five pressures in that loss.

So, Green rededicated himself to his craft and set his ambitions on reaching his potential.

Through it all, Green has had the unwavering love and support of his parents and sister. They’re fixtures at Texans practices and games and have his back.

“They’ve always been there for me,” Green said. “I appreciate them and I love them. I thank God they’re in my life and they’re supporting this. I’m grateful for them and for this opportunity.”

The Texans finished 11-8 last season, winning the AFC South division title in Ryans’ first season as head coach. Green wasn’t a part of that success after aggravating his shoulder during the final preseason game against the New Orleans Saints. This year, Green can bolster an offensive line that includes Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil, center Juice Scruggs, right guard Shaq Mason and right tackle Tytus Howard. Headlined by Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud, the Texans’ offense could be the best in franchise history.

“Very special,” Green said. “I feel like we can definitely dominate and take care of business every game like we need to.”

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