Community Engagement in Events for the Houston Texans

The Houston Texans have long viewed community engagement not as a secondary initiative, but as a core part of their identity—using events to connect with fans, support local neighborhoods, and address critical needs across the Houston area. From youth sports clinics to disaster relief drives, the team’s community events are designed to be inclusive, impactful, and rooted in listening to what the community actually needs. Unlike generic sports team outreach, the Texans’ events often involve direct player participation, long-term partnerships with local nonprofits, and a focus on sustainability—ensuring that engagement doesn’t end when the event does. For Houstonians, these events turn the Texans from a football team into a neighbor, fostering a bond that extends far beyond game days. Community Engagement in Events for the Houston Texans explores the key types of events the Texans host, how players and staff contribute, and the lasting impact these interactions have on both the team and the community.

One of the Texans’ most beloved community event series is their annual “Texans Play 60” youth clinics, which aim to promote physical activity and healthy habits among kids aged 6 to 14. Held at community centers and schools across the Houston area—with a special focus on underserved neighborhoods—the clinics feature current and former players leading drills like passing, catching, and agility exercises, along with nutrition workshops led by the team’s dietitians. At a recent clinic in Houston’s Fifth Ward, quarterback C.J. Stroud spent two hours teaching kids proper throwing form, high-fiving every participant and posing for photos. “When I was their age, I didn’t have NFL players teaching me football,” Stroud told the crowd. “This is about giving them opportunities I never had—and showing them that staying active can be fun.” The clinics also include a “gear drive” component, where the Texans donate footballs, cleats, and jerseys to kids who might not otherwise have access to sports equipment. Last year alone, the Play 60 series reached over 5,000 kids, with post-event surveys showing that 78% of participants reported being more likely to play outside regularly. Community Engagement in Events for the Houston Texans emphasizes that these clinics aren’t just about football—they’re about empowering kids to lead healthy lives, with the Texans using their platform to make a tangible difference in young people’s futures.

Beyond youth-focused events, the Texans also lead impactful community engagement around critical local issues—most notably, disaster relief. Houston’s history of hurricanes and flooding has made resilience a shared value, and the Texans have responded by hosting annual “Hurricane Prep & Recovery Fairs” in partnership with the American Red Cross and local emergency management agencies. These events, held each spring ahead of hurricane season, offer free resources like emergency kit building workshops, flood insurance consultations, and CPR training. At the 2024 fair, held at NRG Park, defensive end Jonathan Greenard and safety Jalen Pitre helped assemble emergency kits for senior citizens, packing bags with non-perishable food, water, and first-aid supplies. The Texans also use these fairs to collect donations—last year, fans and players donated over 3,000 blankets and 5,000 bottles of water, which were distributed to families displaced by recent storms. What makes these events stand out is their focus on preparation, not just response; the Texans work with local experts to educate attendees on evacuation routes and storm safety, turning a one-day fair into a resource that protects families year-round. Community Engagement in Events for the Houston Texans highlights that these disaster relief events showcase the Texans’ commitment to standing with Houston through both good times and bad, reinforcing that the team’s loyalty to the community is unwavering.

The Houston Texans also prioritize community engagement events that celebrate Houston’s cultural diversity, recognizing that the city’s strength lies in its varied neighborhoods and traditions. One of the most popular such events is the “Texans Cultural Heritage Game Day Series,” which pairs a home game with a pre-game festival honoring a specific cultural group in Houston—from Mexican American Heritage Day to Vietnamese American Heritage Day. At the 2024 Mexican American Heritage Day, the pre-game festival featured mariachi bands, folkloric dance performances, and local food vendors serving tamales and churros. Players like tight end Dalton Schultz, who has Mexican American roots, joined in the celebrations, dancing with performers and signing autographs for fans. The Houston Texans also use these events to highlight local Latino-owned businesses, inviting them to set up booths and share their stories. “Houston is one of the most diverse cities in America, and our events should reflect that,” said Texans community relations director Veronica Smith. “These heritage days aren’t just about entertainment—they’re about honoring the people who make Houston great and showing that every fan belongs in Texans Nation.” The events have been a hit with fans, with attendance at heritage pre-game festivals up 40% since the series launched in 2022. Community Engagement in Events for the Houston Texans shows that the Houston Texans’ cultural events are a powerful way to build inclusivity, ensuring that fans from all backgrounds feel seen and valued by the team.

Another key part of the Houston Texans’ community engagement strategy is their “Texans Scholars” program, which combines events with long-term support for local students. The program hosts an annual “Scholarship Awards Banquet” where the Texans honor 25 high school seniors with \(5,000 college scholarships, chosen for their academic achievement, community service, and financial need. The banquet isn’t just a ceremony—it’s a chance for scholars to connect with players and team staff, who share their own educational journeys. At the 2024 banquet, former Texans offensive lineman Duane Brown spoke to the scholars about overcoming adversity to earn his college degree, encouraging them to “never let anyone tell you what you can’t achieve.” The **Houston Texans** also host follow-up events for past scholars, including a “Mentorship Day” where current players meet with college students to offer advice on internships, career paths, and balancing academics with other responsibilities. Since the program began in 2010, the Texans have awarded over \)1.25 million in scholarships, with 92% of scholars reporting that the program gave them the confidence to pursue higher education. Community Engagement in Events for the Houston Texans underscores that the Houston Texans’ scholar events go beyond one-time recognition—they invest in the future of Houston’s youth, creating a pipeline of educated, community-minded leaders.

As the Houston Texans look to expand their community engagement, they’ve announced plans to launch two new event series in 2025: “Texans Senior Connect” (monthly events at senior centers featuring player visits and wellness workshops) and “Small Business Spotlight” (pop-up markets at home games highlighting local entrepreneurs). These new events are the result of feedback from the community—something the Texans prioritize through annual surveys and focus groups. “We don’t just create events based on what we think the community wants,” Smith explained. “We ask them directly, and we build from there.” For the Houston Texans, community engagement events are a two-way street: they give back to Houston, but they also learn from the community, which in turn makes the team stronger. Fans often cite these events as a reason they support the Texans—even during tough seasons—because they see the team’s commitment to the city. Community Engagement in Events for the Houston Texans concludes that the Texans’ community events are more than just public relations; they’re a testament to the team’s belief that football is about more than wins and losses. By showing up for Houston in meaningful ways, the Texans have built a legacy of trust and loyalty—one event, one interaction, one community member at a time. For both the team and the city, this engagement is a win-win: Houston gets a partner in progress, and the Texans get a fanbase that stands with them, no matter what.