HOUSTON – Texans fans, huddle up because this is no ordinary play.
Toro, the Houston Texans’ beloved mascot, has been inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025.
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Toro has been the official mascot of the Houston Texans since his debut in 2001, ahead of the team’s first season in 2002.
That’s right, Toro is now running with the elite squad, joining a legendary roster of 33 other mascots who have been bringing the noise, laughs, and love across collegiate, professional, and independent sports. From high flying stunts to hilarious social media pranks, Toro has been bringing his A-game every season.
With over 2.5 million combined followers and countless viral videos, he’s become one of the most followed and recognizable mascots in professional sports. Now, he has a Hall of Fame title to match that game day swagger.
The Texans are expected to celebrate this monumental achievement during halftime at a home game this fall, where Toro will be honored in a ceremony recognizing his outstanding contributions.
“We can’t wait to celebrate Toro in the Mascot Hall of Fame this season and for him to continue bringing joy to fans of all ages,” said Andrew Johnson, Houston Texans Senior Mascot Program Manager.
A celebration filled with cheers, confetti, and maybe even a signature stunt or two by Toro? The city of Houston is definitely here for it.
So how does a mascot earn a spot in the Hall of Fame?
To make it into the Mascot Hall of Fame, a mascot must have been around for at least a decade, demonstrate excellence both on and off the field, and actively engage with the community.
Toro has excelled in all three areas, thanks to his epic fan engagement, his anti-bullying school program, Toro Takes the BULL Out of Bullying, and his heartwarming children’s book, Made to Be a Mascot.
He makes more than 400 appearances a year, not just in Houston but across Texas, the U.S., and even internationally in Mexico, Canada, England, and beyond.
He’s not just a sideline star he’s a community MVP.
The selection process blends public voting with evaluations from an executive committee of industry professionals. Toro didn’t just stand out, he led the pack, earning the highest number of votes from both fans and the committee.
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“We are so proud to have Toro inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame and we share this recognition with Texans fans everywhere,” Johnson said. “The city of Houston helped bring Toro to life by giving him an identity within the community.”
Over his legendary career, Toro has racked up accolades, like 11 NFL Pro Bowl selections and multiple NFL Mascot Awards, including ‘Mascot of the Year’ and ‘Stunt of the Year.’
Whether he’s energizing fans or innovating virtual classroom visits that reached nearly 10,000 students during the pandemic, his playbook goes far beyond the sidelines.
Founded in 2005 by David Raymond, the original Phillie Phanatic, the Mascot Hall of Fame is dedicated to celebrating the unique contributions of mascots. It combines creativity, education, and community engagement in a fun, family friendly environment.
And now, Toro is part of that legacy.
So, Texans fans, break out your horns and foam fingers, because Toro’s touchdown into the Hall of Fame isn’t just a win for him, it’s a win for all of H-Town.
