Houston had no major championships to celebrate in 2024, and the Astros were not the same without Dusty Baker. But there were still several exciting moments as the Texans and Rockets showed signs of turning their fortunes around. Andre Johnson gave the city reason to be proud while Simone Biles likely cemented her G.O.A.T status as the most accomplished gymnast to ever do it. Take a look at the great professional and collegiate sports moments 2024 offered Houston.
Andre Johnson first Texan to enter Hall of Fame
Receiver great Andre Johnson led the Texans one last time when he became the franchise’s first player to be enshrined into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio. “It means a lot. It’s – I don’t think this was only just for me,” said Johnson, who was notified of his induction into the Hall of Fame this past January after coming up short the previous couple of years. “I think this was for the whole city of Houston. It’s for the whole organization.”
Simone Biles claims sixth Olympic gold medal
Houstonian Simone Biles built on her legacy as the most decorated gymnast ever and is now flirting with being one of the best athletes ever after winning her sixth Olympic gold medal and ninth overall Olympic medal in Paris. The 27-year-old clinched the all-around gold medal after a stunning floor routine during the Paris Olympics.
Texans break through to playoffs, win opening round game
After several non-playoff seasons, the Texans broke through to the AFC playoffs in January for the first time since 2019. The Texans were ahead of schedule, capturing the AFC South title and then securing a first-round win over the Cleveland Browns in the first round of the playoffs in DeMeco Ryans’ first year as coach and with rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud in control of the offense. The Texans, who lost to Baltimore in the second round of the playoffs, posted a 10-7 regular-season record after going 3-13-1 in the previous season under Lovie Smith.
Michael Strahan, 23 others inducted into TSU Sports Hall of Fame
Already a Pro Football Hall of Famer after 15 mostly decorated NFL seasons, Michael Strahan was again a bright star for his alma mater as he heads into the Texas Southern Sports Hall of Fame along with 23 other former athletes, coaches, administrators and supporters of the athletic department.
Azeez Al-Shaair gets three-game suspension for hit on Trevor Lawrence
Texans linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair was the talk of the NFL and almost every national talk show after what appeared to be an illegal hit on Jacksonville quarterback Trevor Lawrence, who was attempting to slide at the first-down marker in their early December showdown. The NFL hit Shaair with a three-game suspension. And the debate began about whether or not Al-Shaair is a dirty player.
Texans complete trade for four-time Pro Bowl receiver Stefon Diggs
In the blockbuster trade of the season, the Texans acquired four-time Pro Bowl receiver Stefon Diggs from the Buffalo Bills for a 2025 second-round draft pick. The move now headlines an offseason of significant offensive upgrades after the Texans also added Cincinnati Bengals’ running back Joe Mixon, giving second-year quarterback C.J. Stroud an improved ground attack and receiving corps for the season.
Rockets begin 2024-25 season amid high expectations
After finishing the 2023-24 season and falling just short of playoffs with a 41-41 record, the Rockets and their young core started this season amid high expectations. It’s playoffs or bust for Ime Udoka and his young, talented group that includes Jalen Green, Tari Eason, Alperen Sengun and Jabari Smith, along with veterans Fred VanVleet and Dillon Brooks. And in early December, the Rockets looked on track with the second-best record in the Western Conference.
Texas Southern hires Cris Dishman as new coach
Former Houston Oilers star defensive back Cris Dishman was hired to replace Clarence McKinney as Texas Southern’s new football coach. Dishman, a two-time Pro Bowler, was hired by TSU after a 13-year NFL career and 20 years of coaching experience at the college and professional levels.
Texans QB C.J. Stroud, DE Will Anderson Jr. AFC Rookies of Year
First, Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud and defensive end Will Anderson Jr. became forever linked when the team picked them No. 2 and No. 3, respectively, in the 2023 NFL Draft. That link was strengthened when Stroud and Anderson were selected as the Pro Football Writers Association NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and Defensive Rookie of the Year in January.
Prairie View A&M parts ways with Bubba McDowell
In one of the more surprising moves, Prairie View A&M decided not to renew the contract of football coach and former Houston Oilers star Bubba McDowell one season after he guided the Panthers to the SWAC West title and an appearance in the SWAC Championship Game. McDowell and the Panthers were coming off a disappointing 5-7 overall and 3-5 SWAC record this season, but he was 17-18 overall and 14-10 in the SWAC in his three seasons as the head coach of Prairie View.
