‘Meant a lot,’ Texans host Salute to Service flag football showdown with military, first responders at NRG Stadium

HOUSTON – Inside NRG Stadium, a fierce tug of war commenced between military service members and first responders.

The red team won, as they did for the overall competition during a Salute to Service flag football showdown hosted by the Texans and presented by American National Insurance. That included their rookies, veteran defensive tackle Mario Edwards Jr., a Salute to Service award nominee, retired players Travis Johnson and Chris Clark, Toro and cheerleaders.

“It meant a lot just to be able to give back to them, just giving them our time for everything they do for us, a lot of the unseen things that they do so we can have our freedoms and things like that,” Texans wide receiver Jaylin Noel said. “It was super cool to just be able be out here with them.

“There was some talent out there. There was some double moves, motions before the snap. So, these guys knew what they were doing.”

Noel and his teammates had the opportunity to interact with men on the front lines of protecting and serving the country.

“Definitely thanking them for the services that they do and just being able to be out here with them, get to know some of the guys and just see how much fun they have being able to out here and play flag football,” Noel said. “So, it was cool. I feel like it was mutual. We were just excited to be around them and get to hang out with them. But for them to be able to hang out with us too was super cool.”

Scott Campbell, a senior vice president and chief client officer from American National, said supporting the military and first responders is something his company is extremely passionate about supporting.

“We’re just excited to be part of this event, partner with the Texans, military and veterans and first responder causes are important to our employees,” Campbell said. “So, the chance to get together and bring these guys in competition and have some fun and just honor and thank them, just something we were just so glad to be a part of.

“We went to our employees and said, ‘What matters to you?’ That’s where we want to put our charitable giving and military veteran causes are No. 1. And so that’s how we partnered with the Texans as their military community partner because it’s important to our employees, so it’s important to us."

The players spent a lot of time coaching and celebrating with the participants.

“The rookies were out here, they were having a good time,” Campbell said. “The competition was awesome. I mean, these guys really took it seriously and just a lot of fun to watch.

“So we really appreciate the Texans doing that. And it’s a little more special when you’re on the carpet at NRG versus in my backyard or something. Anything we can do to highlight our veterans, our military service members, we’re all about that.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com