“Everything is bigger in Texas”, a saying that applies to everything from their barbeque to their britches, is used to describe the Texan lifestyle. The “Lone Star State” takes its customs very seriously, and is very particular in its crafts. No matter where you are in this state, one thing reigns supreme, football. Whether it’s a small high school or a big league game, these Texans show out. When people think of Texas football, they think of the Dallas Cowboys. The Jerry Jones-led “Boys”’ have created a brand that labels them as “America’s Team”. With this brand comes a diehard fanbase that can be more annoying than anything. Throughout the Twentieth century, the Cowboys have dominated the NFL, bringing in five Super Bowl victories. As the 2000s hit, the Cowboys had company, as the NFL would add a new team to the largest city in Texas, Houston. As the program started, we saw the likes of J.J. Watt, DeAndre Hopkins, and more run through the organization. Just because these all-stars were a part of the program does not mean they were successful, bringing home only five playoff wins in twenty years. This lack of success led to the Houston Texans being known as the “little-brother program” to the “Boys Up North”, but while Dallas was talking, Houston was working.
If the Texans wanted to rebuild, they needed to clean house. In 2020, the Texans would trade All-Pro Receiver DeAndre Hopkins to the Arizona Cardinals for David Johnson and a couple of draft picks. Many were outraged by this decision and flew to many social media outlets to express their outrage over this “lop-sided” trade. Many only looked into the players traded rather than picks. David Johnson would only stay for one season, and the Texans stayed mediocre. This offseason was a kicker for the Texans, however, as Deshaun Watson’s off-field actions would land him in a lawsuit after lawsuit, and would be awaiting trial on his crimes. Watson would end up signing with Cleveland and serve a twelve-game suspension. With no quarterback, running-back, receivers, or even a head coach to ride home about, the Texans would suffer the two worst years of their tenure going 7-26 over two years, and receiving the number two pick in the 2023 NFL Draft. This pick left a lot of decision-making for the front office, and their search for their franchise quarterback started.
Up in the meadows of Ohio, their future pick was cooking. Finishing third in the 2022 Heisman voting and receiving a College Football Playoff bid, C.J. Stroud was building a solid draft stock. He did have one flaw, however, as he flunked a mandatory cognitive test that all NFL quarterbacks have to take. The backlash over this score led to C.J. having to comment, saying, “I’m a football player, not a test taker.” This score would later be found as invalid as the creators of this test reported that his test was faulty, per Yahoo Sports. Despite this test, the Texans would go on to take C.J. Stroud with their first-round pick.
As the Texans entered the season, Stroud was given the starting job, despite critics suggesting otherwise. Rookie quarterbacks usually struggle during their first years until they “learn the ropes”, but new first-year Head Coach DeMeco Ryans had faith. Through the first six weeks, the Texans showed out strong, finishing 3-3 going into their bye week. This stretch came with statement blowouts over the Jaguars and the Steelers. This team was explosive, with multiple 300-yard passing games. After a week’s rest, the Texans would go on to finish the regular season with a 10-7 record and a statement victory at Indianapolis to win the AFC South division. This turnaround from last to first really shows the capability of an organization, a rebuild like this usually takes three to five years, if lucky. C.J. Stroud is elite, and he was ready to show the playoffs that too.
As the Wild Card round started, the city of Houston was electric. Fans packed NRG stadium to watch their young phenom prove what he’s got. With Browns Quarterback Joe Flacco startled, Stroud could shake the jitters and blow out Cleveland 45-14. Houston was at the top of the world, C.J. had done it all it seemed like, but all good things come to an end. The Texans would lose to the Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional Round, thanks to an MVP performance by Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson. Despite this loss, C.J. would stay positive, thanking God for the opportunity, and is working on improving for next season.
Despite NBC’s effort, the message of faith Stroud sends truly depicts the American citizen. This country was built on faith and grit, as our early ancestors lived. The true American dream is made by the journey rather than the results, and flashing cash and belongings shows greed rather than grit. Jerry Jones might pour more money into his Cowboys, but the results aren’t showing, as the Texans have had more playoff wins since 2002, the start of the Texans organization. Real success takes hard work and dedication, like how this country was formed. So are the Cowboys really America’s Team?
