Tradition Continues in Holidays for the Houston Texans

The holiday season in the NFL is a time of celebration, reflection, and connection—and for the Houston Texans, it’s also a time to honor longstanding traditions that bridge the team, its fans, and the Houston community. For nearly two decades, the Texans have turned holiday moments into meaningful rituals: from turkey drives at Thanksgiving to toy distributions at Christmas, from player visits to hospitals to festive in-stadium events. These traditions aren’t just annual activities; they’re part of the franchise’s DNA, a way to show gratitude for support and give back to the city that has stood by the team through wins, losses, and rebuilds. Tradition Continues in Holidays for the Houston Texans explores how these rituals have evolved over time, the joy they bring to both participants and recipients, and why they remain a cornerstone of the Texans’ identity. This article delves into the most beloved holiday traditions, the stories behind them, and the impact they have on fostering unity during the most wonderful time of the year.

Tradition Continues in Holidays for the Houston Texans begins with the team’s oldest and most iconic holiday ritual: the “Texans Thanksgiving Turkey Drive,” a tradition dating back to the franchise’s inaugural season in 2002. What started as a small collection drive with a handful of players and staff has grown into a week-long community event that feeds thousands of Houston families each year. In 2024, the turkey drive partnered with the Houston Food Bank to set up 12 collection sites across the city, where fans could donate turkeys, canned goods, and non-perishables. Players like quarterback C.J. Stroud, defensive end Jonathan Greenard, and tight end Dalton Schultz volunteered their time, greeting donors, loading food into trucks, and even posing for photos with families who stopped by. The drive collected over 5,500 turkeys and 30,000 pounds of food—enough to provide meals for 15,000 families. For long-time Texans fans, the turkey drive is a nostalgic tradition: many have attended with their children year after year, turning it into a family holiday custom. As fan Maria Lopez, who has donated since 2010, put it: “Every Thanksgiving, my kids ask when we’re going to the turkey drive. It’s not just about giving—it’s about feeling like we’re part of the Texans family.” This tradition has stood the test of time because it embodies the Texans’ commitment to service, turning a national holiday into a chance to lift up those in need.

Tradition Continues in Holidays for the Houston Texans also shines a light on the team’s Christmas-season “Toy Drive & Distribution,” a tradition that began in 2005 and has since become a highlight of the Texans’ community outreach calendar. Each December, the Texans collect new, unwrapped toys at their training facility and during home games, then partner with local organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Houston and Texas Children’s Hospital to distribute them to children in need. In 2024, the toy drive exceeded its goal by 45%, collecting over 12,000 toys—thanks in large part to fan donations and a “Toy Toss” during the Texans’ Week 15 game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, where fans threw toys onto the field after the team scored its first touchdown. The distribution events are equally heartwarming: players and cheerleaders visit hospitals and community centers, handing out toys, signing autographs, and spending time with kids who might be facing difficult holidays. Rookie cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., who participated for the first time in 2024, described the experience as “life-changing”: “I met a little boy at Texas Children’s who told me he’d been waiting all year for a football. When I gave him one, he hugged me and said, ‘Now I can be like you.’ That’s why this tradition matters—it’s not just a toy; it’s hope.” For the Texans, the toy drive isn’t just about giving gifts; it’s about creating lasting memories for kids and reminding them that they’re part of the Texans community, too.

Tradition Continues in Holidays for the Houston Texans extends to in-stadium holiday celebrations, which turn game days into festive gatherings for fans and families. Each year, the Texans host a “Holiday Game” in late December, where NRG Stadium is transformed with Christmas lights, giant wreaths, and a 20-foot-tall Christmas tree in the lobby. Fans are greeted by carolers dressed in Texans-themed Santa hats, and children can visit a “Toro’s Holiday Workshop” to meet the team’s mascot, decorate cookies, and write letters to Santa. During halftime, the Texans feature local school choirs performing holiday classics, and the team often surprises a military family with a “Holiday Wish”—like free tickets for the season or a visit from a deployed loved one. In 2024, the Houston Texans’ Holiday Game against the Tennessee Titans included a special tribute to first responders, with players wearing custom “Holiday Hero” patches on their jerseys and a halftime ceremony honoring firefighters, police officers, and paramedics. The game ended with a fireworks show set to “Jingle Bells,” leaving fans of all ages smiling. For the Houston Texans, these in-stadium traditions turn football games into holiday events that the whole family can enjoy, strengthening the bond between the team and its fans during a season of togetherness.

Tradition Continues in Holidays for the Houston Texans also includes a lesser-known but deeply meaningful ritual: the team’s “Holiday Visit to the Houston VA Hospital,” which has been a tradition since 2007. Each year, a group of Texans players, coaches, and staff visit the Michael E. DeBakey VA Medical Center to spend time with military veterans, many of whom are unable to be with their families during the holidays. The visits include coffee and cookies, gift bags filled with Texans merchandise, and casual conversations—players often sit and listen to veterans’ stories of service, while coaches share stories of their own holiday traditions. In 2024, defensive tackle Maliek Collins, whose grandfather is a Vietnam veteran, led the visit, bringing along his grandfather to meet other veterans. “My grandpa taught me the importance of honoring those who served,” Collins said. “This visit isn’t just a tradition for the Texans—it’s a way to say ‘thank you’ to the men and women who gave so much for our country.” The veterans often say the visits are the highlight of their holiday season: Army veteran John Smith, who attended in 2024, said, “Getting to talk to the players and hold a Texans football—this makes me feel like part of the family. I look forward to it every year.” For the Houston Texans, this tradition is a way to honor the military community that plays such a vital role in Houston, turning gratitude into action during the holidays.

Tradition Continues in Holidays for the Houston Texans ultimately reveals that these rituals are more than just “traditions”—they’re a promise. A promise that the Texans will show up for their community, not just on game days, but during the moments that matter most. Over the years, these holiday traditions have become part of the fabric of Houston’s holiday season: families plan their turkey drive donations into their Thanksgiving week, kids count down to the toy toss at the Holiday Game, and veterans look forward to the team’s VA visit. For the Houston Texans, continuing these traditions is a way to honor their past—paying tribute to the players, staff, and fans who started them—and build their future, creating new memories that will be cherished for decades to come. As head coach DeMeco Ryans put it after the 2024 turkey drive: “Holidays are about family, and the Texans family is here for Houston. These traditions aren’t going anywhere—they’re just getting started.” In the end, Tradition Continues in Holidays for the Houston Texans is a story about love: love for the game, love for the community, and love for the traditions that bring us all together.