Texans’ Tytus Howard gives 500 turkeys to families at Thanksgiving

HOUSTON – For Texans offensive lineman Tytus Howard, it was a moment and a day of perspective.

As Howard, his mother, teammate Ed Ingram and volunteers from the University of Houston track team personally handed out 500 turkeys at the Houston Texans YMCA, he felt a lot of joy and memories.

“It’s just a huge blessing to be able to be in a position to give back to the community that does so much for us, for the Texans,” said Howard, who held a similar event in his hometown in Alabama last week. “It’s a huge blessing to be able to be in a position to be able to do this, especially with mom. Growing up, we were the people who was in the line to get turkeys and anything that we were able to get to help us out. So, being in a position to give back is a huge blessing for me and something I never take for granted.

“That’s the point to be a helping hand to the people who actually need it. It brings me joy to be able to give it back to people and see the smiles on my faces. You know on that they’re gonna have a great Thanksgiving because that’s what it’s all about. I think it’s about getting together with your family having a great time eating, sharing a lot of memories and you know have some good times.”

Howard and his wife have four children and Chelsea recently gave birth to a son. They now have two daughters and two sons.

As a father, Howard knows what it means to have mouths to feed.

“So, we played the Bills on Thursday, I have my son Wednesday night and I’m standing in the hospital,” Howard said. “When I got up for the game Thursday morning, Just a huge blessing to be able to have another kid. She did an amazing amazing job. She was in labor for over 12 hours.

“I always wanted to have a big family. I’m excited to have another son. As a father, it’s my job is to do everything I can to be a great example of a role model for my kids and everything I do now is for them for my wife, for my family. I just grew up knowing that, ‘Hey, I want to be the person that if I had got an opportunity to get back to people I would do that.”

Howard’s favorites at Thanksgiving: Smoked turkey, macaroni and cheese, dressing, gravy, red Velvet cake and Kool-Aid pie.

Texans coach DeMeco Ryans has said he wants the players, who have practice Thursday, to practice moderation and not stuff themselves too much. He wants them energized for a big road game against the Indianapolis Colts, not sluggish and bloated.

“I’m pretty sure the food is gonna taste even better after we get a win,” Howard said.

Ingram participated in two Thanksgiving meal giveaway events, including the annual team event at NRG Stadium.

“I always like to give back, especially for a teammate like Tytus,” Ingram said. “As soon as he hit me up, I was like, ‘I’ll be here. I enjoy it.”

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