HOUSTON – DeMeco Ryans has accomplished so much as a football player and coach.
He’s been named the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year and a Pro Bowl selection for the Texans.
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He’s been a runner-up for Associated Press NFL Coach of the Year after revitalizing the Texans into a division winner and playoff squad each of his first two seasons. He was previously NFL Assistant Coach of the Year with the San Francisco 49ers.
Now. the former Alabama All-American and Southeastern Conference Defensive Player of the Year has been honored by his hometown.
The city of Bessemer has renamed 2305 Fairfax Avenue, where Ryans grew up, as DeMeco Ryans Street. Ryans attended a special ceremony with his family, the Bessemer High School football team, local politicians and church leaders.
“This street may carry my name but it represents the journey, the support, and the shared work of so many, starting with my parents” Ryans said during a packed press conference. “For them, being able to purchase a home here, allowing us to grow up here, thank you for all the hard work and sacrifice that you guys have done for me.”
Ryans added with a laugh: “I guess I finally found the road to success.”
Ryans was an all-state selection at Jess Lanier High School in Bessemer before accepting a scholarship to Alabama and then was drafted in the second round by the Texans.
At Alabama, Ryans won the Lott Impact trophy and was named the defensive Most Valuable Player in a Cotton Bowl victory over Texas Tech. He is a member of the Cotton Bowl and Senior Bowl all-star game Hall of Fame.
“I’m incredibly honored and humbled to have a street named after me,” Ryans said. “This recognition means more than words can express. Thank you to everyone here who made this possible. I vividly remember running up and down these streets playing in the middle of the road, playing football, playing basketball. It was definitely a lot of fond memories growing up here. And to all my wonderful neighbors who showed up today, thank you. We had wonderful neighbors. You knew you couldn’t get in any trouble because they’d tell your parents on you.
“This just shows what it takes. It takes a village to raise children, and I had a village here on Fairfax, and it was a lot of great moments, a lot of great people, a lot of great friendships. Just a lot of support. And I’ll always remember Bessemer for this support. I’ll always remember all of you for the love you guys have shown me. And now to have this sign here is such a huge honor.”
Ryans was recognized by Bessemer Mayor Kenneth E. Gulley during the ceremony.
“You have been such an inspiration to us in this city and such an inspiration to all of these young men that you see behind you,” Gulley said. “We have followed your career from Little League to Jess Lanier High School to the University of Alabama to the Houston Texans to the Philadelphia Eagles, and we’ve also followed it from San Francisco and now to the Houston Texans. And we are so, so proud of you. And one thing that I am most proud of is that you are so proud of Bessemer, Alabama.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com
