On Sunday, when the Houston Texans take on the Arizona Cardinals at NRG Stadium, they will be playing for more than an opportunity to keep their winning streak and playoff aspirations alive. They will take the field in honor of all the men and women of the United States Military who have served or are actively serving the country.
“It is something that is personal to me,” Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud told the Texans Wire. “My brother was in the Navy; he is a veteran, and I have a lot of respect for the military. For those who put their lives on the line so that we can have freedom and peace. It means a lot for them to get to a month of us recognizing them and showing them love back. We appreciate them and thank them for their service; it doesn’t go unnoticed.”
The late Texans owner Bob McNair started the tradition in 2011 of honoring all military branches by incorporating a Salute to Service game where the team donated tickets to service members, inviting each branch to present colors on the field and present a field-sized United States flag that would be honored during the playing of the National Anthem. The NFL decided to follow what Houston had started and now holds a Salute to Service game in stadiums around the country during November.
“It’s nice to be able to say thank you in person and just to honor them and serve them as they have served us,” said Vice President of the Houston Texans Foundation, Hannah McNair at the Salute to Heroes Tailgate on Thursday.#Texans #Sarge #TexansWire pic.twitter.com/y1HqZJz1Pq
— #SARGE (@BigSargeSportz) November 19, 2023
This past week, the Texans and Community Coffee hosted a Salute to Heroes tailgate at NRG Stadium, honoring military personnel and first responders for their service. Over 50 military members and first responders had lunch with Texans Legends, Lady Texans, Toro, Texans Cheerleaders, and Hannah McNair, Vice President of the Houston Texans Foundation. They also had an opportunity to meet the players after practice.
“It’s nice to be able to say thank you in person and just to honor them and serve them as they have served us,” said McNair.
Coach DeMeco Ryans has been a part of the Salute to Service game as a player and a coach and knows just how much this game means to the players and military personnel, both past and present.
“I feel like the people who serve our country are the reason why we can do a lot of the things we do here,” Ryans told Texans Wire after meeting with the media on Friday. “A lot of the freedoms we have in America come from the people who are sacrificing for us. I have a lot of family members who have served, and I am very grateful and thankful to them for their service.