I like the look! (see pic below)
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Texans No. 1 pick Tytus Howard is all grown up
Aaron Wilson , Houston Chronicle April 26, 2019 Updated: April 27, 2019 3:29 p.m.
The transformation of Tytus Howard from an obscure high school quarterback into a hulking offensive tackle and the Texans’ latest first-round draft pick involved him hoisting heavy metal and consuming heaping portions of chicken spaghetti and Kool-Aid pies.
And the story of the 6-5, 322-pound, 21-year-old all-conference selection from Alabama State – now 100 pounds heavier and three inches taller than his senior year of high school - starts with the colorful nickname his adoring mother gave him: “Weenie.”
Born prematurely, Howard was once a little guy running around his mother’s home in small-town Monroeville, Ala. Population: 6,519. The town is best known for producing acclaimed writers Truman Capote and Harper Lee.
"We still call him ‘Weenie,’ it’s hard not to call him, ‘Weenie,’” said Teresa Rivers, Howard’s mother, Friday afternoon at NRG Stadium following his introductory press conference. “He was the smallest thing in the house, but he had the biggest heart. He stayed trying to prove his strength. It’s a hometown name that’s hard to drop.”
Option exercised on receiver Fuller
The Texans have exercised the fifth-year option on wide receiver Will Fuller, their first-round pick in 2016.
Fuller, who’s recovering from a torn ACL suffered last season, will now make $10.162 million in 2020.
Fuller starts opposite DeAndre Hopkins and has played in 11 games with quarterback Deshaun Watson. In those 11 games, Fuller has 11 touchdown catches.
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Growing up, the first organized football team Howard played for was called the ‘Tiny Mites.’ Rivers recalled how his helmet was bigger than his body.
Her son doesn’t mind the affectionate sobriquet.
Hey, it comes with the territory with a doting mother who broke into tears when the Texans drafted her son with the 23rd overall pick Thursday night.
“It’s pretty funny because everybody’s like, ‘Hey, we can’t call you, ‘Weenie,’ now,” said Howard, who was accompanied to his first day at work by Rivers, his fiancée, Chelsea, and his grandmother, Wyona. “We’ve got to call you, ‘Hot link,' now."
The way Howard emerged as one of the hottest commodities prior to the draft – visiting 24 teams, including the Texans, is a unique situation.
Once a 6-2, 225-pound high school quarterback who doubled as a kicker and tight end, Howard didn't garner much attention from recruiters despite having a strong arm and a versatile style for a Monroe County High School team that didn’t win many games.
Growing into position
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