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Andre Johnson never envisioned Pro Football Hall of Fame enshrinement for himself.
Throughout his playing days, including a legendary NFL career in which he terrorized defenses for the better part of 14 seasons, the wide receiver always aspired to greatness. And for years, Johnson watched on television the annual Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony in Canton, Ohio. But Johnson always associated those images and accolades — the bronze busts, gold jackets, moving speeches, cheers from adoring fans — with players he idolized, not himself.
“I just never thought I would be a part of it,” Johnson, 43, said last week. “I never was like, ‘Oh, I want to be a Hall of Famer.’ I think for me, because I’m such a fan of the game, I was always excited to see other guys get in. But to be honest, I never really thought about it. Of course, when you’re playing, reporters would come up after games, telling me, ‘You could possibly be in the Hall of Fame one day,’ and things of that nature. But I really just never thought about it.
“So, to get that knock on the door,” Johnson added, referring to the visit he received from Hall of Fame wide receiver Cris Carter welcoming him into the NFL’s most elite fraternity, “that was special.”
Johnson on Saturday will officially take his place in pro football’s hallowed hall. He enters the Hall of Fame along with return man Devin Hester, pass rushers Dwight Freeney and Julius Peppers, linebackers Patrick Willis and Randy Gradishar, and interior defensive lineman Steve McMichael.
Read more on Johnson’s induction here.
GO FURTHER
‘I’m one of these guys?’ Andre Johnson in awe of Hall of Fame honor, even as others saw it coming
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Courtesy : https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/live-blogs/texans-vs-bears-live-updates-nfl-preseason-hall-of-fame-game/ING5WwxHhZS9/