In 2003 a superstar was not born, but he did create a pop culture moment that recently placed him in a hall of greats.He is one of the 34 athletes at his position to wear the iconic gold jacket inducting him into Football Heaven, home of 378 members going back to 1963, the National Football League Hall of Fame. 

 This was the year after the elite Miami Hurricanes game changer was drafted in the first round with a 6 year, $39 million dollar contract for his individual talent, selfless role as team player and for being an all-round pleasure to have around on and off the field.

In 2004, Andre Lamont Johnson, in his 2nd Season as a NFL starting wide-receiver had his 1st of 7-Pro Bowl selections. Andre Johnson is currently ranked 11th all time in receptions and is the first N.F.L. player to join TEAM JORDAN.  

It is safe to say, Andre Johnson was BORN2FLY

Johnson, was already well-known and loved by the hiphop community culture from his performances on the field at the “U." The 2004 Pro Bowl selection placed ‘Big 80’ instantly into pop culture media conversations globally. The superstar handled his business as a connoisseur influencing his NFL jersey to becoming a Top 50 in jersey sales 10 years later.

If you had the number 80 on your NFL jersey with that Texans logo and with the last name Johnson between the back shoulders, you knew you were flossing one of the best in the business both then and even more today on August 8th 2024, five days after this stronger, faster, bigger guy delivered his NFL Hall of Fame speech in Canton, Ohio.  

Exciting. Explosive. Fearless. Humble. 

  Four words to describe Andre Johnson’s game presence and impression he dispensed to any defense as a professional exceptional wide-receiver.  

He is referred to as the best N.F.L. player to ever put on a Houston Texans helmet and jersey. This is where the back to back NCAA College Football Champion began his thriving career padding up for what was at that time, the expansion team in the AFC of the NFL. 

In the 2004 NFL season, Johnson's display on the gridiron made his name at his position a name to respect, appreciate and never forget when he was between the two goal posts week to week, season to season. 

  In his 13th season at a press conference Johnson announced his retirement on Halloween 2016. The following season, Johnson signed a one-day contract with the Texans to retire as a Houston Texan. 

His heart never left that place. 

The two-time NFL reception leader and receiving leader began his Hall of Fame speech with, “Today marks a very special moment for me.” 

The Dade County, Miami, Carol City, born and raised 2024 NFL Hall of Fame inductee continues to play a key role in his community of Carol City at Buccaneer Park delivering celebrations time and time again. 

  As a kid playing optimist football for the Miami Lakes Pythons, Andre Johnson would push me to not quit and would always tell me to have fun doing whatever it is I do. Now that I think about it, technically I played football with a Hall of Fame NFL baller. All jokes aside, I knew then that he was going to be one of greatest to ever catch a football and this was back in 1993 or ‘94, so it really did not surprise me that in 2013, 10 years after going into the league, #80 would bring great vibes at The Andre Johnson’s Annual Community Day.  

Johnson is all about supporting his community hands on, which makes this one-of-a-kind superior athlete an inspiration to those around him.  

I have to give his mother two-thumbs-up for instilling principles, character and morale in him from day one.

One of my standout memories of Big Andre was at his10th Annual Andre Johnson’s Community Day. I will never forget that day because me and Mom were at Grandma’s house in Carol City. Grandma’s perfectly manicured yard sat right on the edge of Buccaneer Park and just like a young Andre Johnso many years before, I too would watch the Miami Dolphins football games on the Jumbotron from my grandma’s roof back in the day as a kid in the bajas, a section of Miami Carol City which is now known as Miami Gardens.

Now fast forward back to this Sunshine State Saturday in Miami 2013. Grandma wanted me to make sure I went to Andre Johnson's Community Day at the park, say hello to the Carol City native for her, have a good time, get a plate of barbecue and take a picture with Andre Johnson. My mom also came out and had a nice time as well. I took a picture of Mom with both Andre Johnson and his mother, who she had known for many years. This day meant a lot to me because I seen old friends and made new friends right at the parks skating rink where I played as a kid with my aunt for what seemed to be day to night and twice on Sundays. Side note. I'm just glad that I had my camera fully charged with a fresh memory card ready to save memories of this neighborhood holiday for a day like today.

  Attached below is the YouTube video I produced in 2013 of the current 2024 NFL Hall of Fame Inductee Andre Johnson not on the football field to win a game but on the field we grew up at where he blessed us all with straight positive vibes at Buccaneer Park in Carol City, Miami, Florida, where it all started back in the 80's because that is what greatness does.  

 Andre Johnson made an imprint in the game of football and life by maximizing his potential on and off the field.
  https://youtu.be/77bCylInn3g?si=5tHw3QPSqtoMeWnV