Since its inception in 2018, the Houston Sports Hall of Fame has been the most prominent way to recognize the immortals of the Houston sports scene. Beginning with the inaugural class in 2018, which consisted of the three 34’s — Earl Campbell, Hakeem Olajuwon, and Nolan Ryan — the reveal of each class has been one of the more anticipated events on the Houston sports calendar.
Typically, the class consists of three or four people across various sports, oftentimes revealed in stages. Well, the 2026 class is off to a fast start, as last week the Harris County Houston Sports Authority announced that Texans legend J.J. Watt would headline the Class of 2026:
Watt’s resume needs no embellishment. He is one of just three players in the history of the National Football League to win three Defensive Player of the Year awards. He raised over $40 million in the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. In short, Watt is Houston royalty.
Let’s dig into this awesome development in a bit more detail:
J.J. Watt is the rare Houston Sports Hall of Famer in the “greatest Houston athlete” conversation
Like any Hall of Fame, there are artificial “tiers,” where we debate and discuss who the most elite are among these already elite athletes and human beings. J.J. Watt is in that rarified air where the conversation of who THE greatest athlete in Houston history unfolds. Among those already inducted, I would put Olympic gold medalists Carl Lewis and Mary Lou Retton, along with the aforementioned “three 34’s” in the mix with Watt. Someday, Jose Altuve will find himself being inducted, and he is part of any “greatest ever” debate, as well.
J.J. Watt’s reconnection to the city of Houston is complete
When the Texans, at Watt’s request, allowed him to leave and become a free agent in February 2021, the Texans were a dilapidated mess, with what felt like no end in sight to the dysfunction and losing. It felt like it would be a long time before Watt (and numerous other former players) would want to be connected to the franchise again. Then, DeMeco Ryans was hired, and the winning resumed, and Watt was once again engaged with the team. This honor feels like the completion of Watt’s reconnect with the city that he loves, and once again, calls his home.
This is a precursor to the summer of 2028
This will not be the last Hall of Fame that inducts J.J. Watt. 2028 will be here before we know it, and that’s the year that Watt first becomes eligible for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, where he is expected to be inducted, alongside Tom Brady, on his first round of eligibility. Again, like I said earlier, even Halls of Fame have tiers, and for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, there are inductees and FIRST BALLOT inductees. Watt will undoubtedly be among the rare immortals in the latter group.