‘Getting a bike is like getting your first car,’ Texans host annual holiday bike giveaway for elementary school students

HOUSTON – The excitement kept building as the elementary school students posed for photos with retired former Texans players, including Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Andre Johnson, and mascot Toro.

And the moment got even better for 100 students from Mading and Law elementary schools.

They were surprised to receive a free bike and helmets while meeting the entire current Texans team, the AFC South division winners, and coach DeMeco Ryans after practice Friday during an annual holiday bike giveaway

“Getting a bike is like getting your first car,” former Texans defensive tackle and first-round draft pick Travis Johnson said. “It’s a bit of freedom. Anytime you’re blessed the way we’ve been blessed, it’s only right. It’s a blessing to be a blessing. Anytime we get a chance to give back, especially with the Houston Texans and Texans foundation and the McNair family, it’s always phenomenal to do that.

‘We’ve been doing it for years, when I was a player to now. It’s always been wonderful to see the smiles on their faces when they get a new bike. I remember my first bicycle. I can only imagine how they feel when they get their first bicycle. It’s something these kids will never forget.”

The students met Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, posing for photographs with the record-setting former NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and second overall pick from Ohio State who was a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist.

Several players, including Pro Bowl defensive end Will Anderson Jr., Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil, offensive lineman Tytus Howard and defensive tackle Tim Settle helped the kids fasten their protective helmet and get on their bikes for a first ride.

Texans running back Dameon Pierce demonstrated how to ride a bike, taking it out for a spin while saying “Beep, beep.”

It was a fun experience for the kids, who hadn’t expected a bike necessarily to take home, but just knew they were going to meet NFL players and retired players.

That included former Texans players Chester Pitts, Johnathan Joseph, Fred Weary and Johnson, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame last summer as the first member of the franchise to be enshrined in Canton.

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