Texans Rally Off the Field, Too: Taste of the Texans Raises Over $500K for Charity
HOUSTON - The Texans are on a roll - and not just on Sundays.
Inside NRG Stadium, the team traded helmets for aprons at their annual Taste of the Texans charity event, a celebration of Houston’s rich culinary scene and a major win for the community. With more than 35 of the city’s top restaurants serving up their signature dishes, the night raised over $500,000 to support the Texans Foundation’s mission to fight food insecurity across the Houston area.
This wasn’t just a night of fine dining - it was a full-team effort. Texans chairman Cal McNair and his wife Hannah were in attendance, leading the organization’s philanthropic push. They were joined by Hall of Famer Andre Johnson, whose presence remains larger than life in Houston, and a strong showing from the Texans’ rookie class, including starting left tackle Aireontae Ersery, wide receiver Jayden Higgins, return specialist Jaylin Noel, and running back Woody Marks.
Rookie quarterback Graham Mertz was soaking it all in.
“Oh, it’s amazing,” Mertz said. “For me, just being able to experience the city, great food culture, great people.”
That kind of energy isn’t just reserved for charity galas. It’s been fueling a Texans team that’s quietly building momentum on the field, too.
With Sunday’s win over the Colts, Houston moved to 7-5 and extended its win streak to four games - all by one-score margins. That kind of grit and resilience has become a calling card under head coach DeMeco Ryans.
“Yeah, it’s great,” Mertz added. “Just starting with coach Ryans, we’re in a great spot mentally, physically, we’re feeling good, so we’re fired up to go finish the season.”
The event itself was a showcase of Houston’s food scene at its finest. Local favorites like Guard and Grace, Hidden Omakase, Pearl & Vine, Candente, Taste Kitchen + Bar, and The Cheesecake Queen brought the flavor, while a silent auction helped push the night’s fundraising total past the half-million mark.
For the Texans, this was about more than good food and good vibes. It was a reminder that their impact stretches far beyond the gridiron - and that in a city as big and diverse as Houston, community matters.
With the team surging on the field and showing up off it, the Texans are playing a complete game - and the city is rallying right behind them.