June 30, 2023 • 21 mins
Houston Texans President Greg Grissom discusses all things Training Camp, Season Premiere, and Fan Council! Hear about the J.J. Watt Ring of Honor game and more in this episode of the VanderPod.
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Speaker 1 (00:05):
All right, welcome to the podcast everyone, and this episode
features the President of the Houston Texans, Greg Grissom. Has
been with the organization from the get go. Formally worked
at the Astros. He went to Baylor, but he likes
to ut a lot. I'm not going to get into
his personal life too much here, but I've been friends
with Greg for a long time, and he's doing a
phenomenal job with the Texans business operations as the organization
(00:29):
navigates through this coaching change to TMICO Ryans and marketing
with all the h town stuff, and you've seen the
merch and there's just so many aspects facets of what
he does and contributes to for this organization, in conjunction
with the mcnaires of course, and everybody in football operations.
But it's always interesting to catch up with Greg. So
(00:51):
let's get to it right now. Our conversation with the
President of the Houston Texans, Greg Grissom. Greg Grissom joining us.
It's regg off season. It's the desert as I call it,
between mini camp and training camp, but there's always something
going on with the Texans.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
How you doing there, I'm doing great, Mark, Great to
be with you. Yeah, it's always an exciting time. I
think if you'd go up to our staff upstairs and
talk to them, there's no desert. There's a lot of
hard work going on and a tremendous amount of excitement
as we prepare for the twenty twenty three season.
Speaker 1 (01:23):
So when we left the twenty twenty two season, the
Texans beat the Colts, which was a weird kind of
thing because the number one pick they didn't get it
that day. But so what it all turned out great
with c J. Stroud. We'll get into that in a moment.
But what about hiring tomko Ryans and what it's meant
to the organization reaching back in the history, getting the
(01:43):
former player and everything. The effect that that's had on
the organization as a whole.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
Great, Yeah, I think you the process that Nick Cassario
and Cal and Hannah McNair led to identify to Miko
and and to ensure that that he came home was spectacular.
And since the moment you know he arrived, the day
that he was here, you know that we got to
introduce him to the staff, even before I think that
the day a contract was signed, before the press conference.
(02:10):
I mean, the energy has just been off the charts
and the way it's engaged all of our teammates internally,
our former players, you know, the the all our fans
and season ticket members as a whole. You could feel it.
You could feel it from the very beginning. And and
his leadership, you know, as I've had a chance to
(02:30):
interact with him here and there is amazing and just
really looking forward to the to the impact he can
make on our organization and our city as a whole.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
I think with him and that combined with the draft, Greg,
you've been here every year. I can't think of an
off season with more of a boost, more anticipation. There
have been some off seasons where you feel like the
team's good, you're going to go into a good campaign
and we don't know what the record is going to be.
But just as far as the off season itself, are
you with me that this might be the biggest ever?
Speaker 2 (03:02):
Well, I think it could be. You know, I don't
like to make predictions, but uh, but just the feeling
of it is I will just say there's a tremendous
energy and excitement to what could be coming. And and
you know, uh, and you know, you and I've talked
about some different off seasons in the past. I think
(03:22):
it's equal to, if not greater, you know, some of
those off seasons. And you know, time will tell, but
but I think, you know, watching Nick and Demico work
together around the draft and how they they navigated that
to get the outcome that we did, and the excitement
that that generated across the city and our fan base,
and then you know, every step of the way forward,
(03:43):
you know, the free agencies, which I really think, you know,
some of the decisions, and the players we brought in,
you know, are going to be fun to watch and
to see the impact that some of these guys can
have on our team as a whole. So you know,
I have seen some of the media who aren't always
uh you know, is kind, and you know I've seen
it referenced in some places, even the perfect offseason. I
(04:04):
don't know about that, you know, I don't. I don't
I don't want to ever put that pressure on it.
But I know that that we're really excited about where
we're going and and and can't wait to get it
get it started here in a month or two.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
Draft night. It still blows me away the level of excitement.
It felt like a playoff win or something like that.
The way everything went down with the number two pick
and then trading up and the fans and uh Cal McNair,
Hannah McNair there, you were there. Obviously, it was a
tremendous experience.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
It was a great event and the first and foremost
I want to give a lot of credit to our
event experienced team and all the folks who helped put
that event together at Miller Outdoor Theater, working in partnership
with the folks at Miller Outdoor Theater Houston first to
allow that to happen.
Speaker 1 (04:46):
It was.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
It was packed to the gills. I think we we
we had found every spot for a fan to be
and obviously when we drafted CJ, the place went crazy
and excitement. And then right behind it to announce the
trade and I was actually standing very close to Andre
Johnson and just seeing him going you know what we
did what and just the excitement of how that all went.
(05:07):
It was a great night and to celebrate it with
our fans. I know the McNair's enjoyed, you know, being
there and being present both at the beginning of the
draft and coming back later and just to be around
our fan base and just to be hopeful about what's
to come.
Speaker 1 (05:25):
It was a great night, all right, you brought up
Andre Johnson, so I'm going to fast forward. We'll get
into everything else, but JJ Watt and having what night announced.
It's not a night, it's a game with the Pittsburgh Steelers,
but going into the Ring of Honor. But it's just
tremendous to have these former players, these Texans legends in
the fold with the Damico higher and I was going
(05:46):
over some stats today writing articles for various things, and
Demiko is still so high up on all these lists
tackles and solo tackles and consecutive starts and that kind
of thing. And then to see what go into the
Ring of Honor along with Andrey Johnson and mister MC
that's tremendous stuff.
Speaker 2 (06:01):
What is in all of our former players, we call
them legends. The NFL calls them legends. That's you know,
if you made it to the NFL, it's pretty legendary.
In my book, I don't think you and I made
it there, so uh, we give them that respect. And
all of our legends are really important to the organization,
the history of the organization and where we've come from.
And and how we continue to recognize that. And then
(06:23):
when you think of a player like JJ, I mean,
we we you know, you know, he left here, went
to Arizona, you know, had finished out his career, but
he's a Texan and and you know, we wanted to
make sure that that we did everything we could to
engage with him, and he obviously it was really excited
about the opportunity to come home and and and to
(06:43):
be part of Houston and what we're what we're what
we're building moving forward. I know he's extremely supportive of
Demico and and and his staff, so it all kind
of fit. But uh, you know, really excited and and
about making sure that that JJ takes his rightful place
in the history of our organization in the Ring of
Honor against the Steelers on October first.
Speaker 1 (07:04):
So that's going to be a tough ticket. There are
a lot of tough tickets though. So what's going on
with tickets? Greg? I know you've commented publicly a bit,
but what's the latest you can share with us on
how season ticket sales are going? In the crowd at
NRG Stadium.
Speaker 2 (07:16):
Yeah, I think, I mean, there's nothing better than a
sold out, energetic you know, full on crazy NRG stadium,
and that's our goal every game for for the that
we play here in Houston, and I think we're getting
back to that, you know. The last couple of years
we've actually, you know, without getting too far in the weeds,
we've sold a lot of tickets just we needed everybody
(07:38):
to come and support, you know, come to the games.
But I think the answer to your question is it's
going very well. There is still some opportunity, I think
here over the next thirty to sixty days for folks
to jump on board and get season tickets. There's a
very limited availability of that and then and there, but
there is group tickets and single game tickets available kind
of just adapting the way that we structure some of
(08:00):
access to tickets. But the goal is to sell out
every game. We want to start, you know, with the
regular season with the Colts game, to get.
Speaker 1 (08:07):
That sold out.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
Pretty sure, the Steelers game will be sold out with
a bunch of Texans fans. We may have some visitors
from Pittsburgh to but all celebrate. JJ got the Saints
following after that, So get off to a great start,
and really we just want the energy and n our
JEF Stadium is loud and is possible to support these players.
I know they feed off that energy and we want
(08:28):
to create that home field advantage for them.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
I think, no matter what, when the Steelers are on offense,
showed JJ on the video board, we're good. Yeah, lots
of noise, no matter what, there would be noise anyway.
But that's right shru Fan counsel, Greg, people have been
hearing about this fan counsel. What can you tell us
about what they do, what happens on a fan council meeting? Well?
Speaker 2 (08:47):
Sure, So the fan council first and foremost, We've always
you know, since inception of the organization, since I've been
here and we've been here, we always want to listen
to our fans. But with you know, some of the
things that we're trying to do really with Cal and
Hannah just challenging us to think differently and to make
sure we're reaching out and really listening to our fans
(09:07):
and getting as much feedback as we possibly can. We
established this fan council, you know, I guess in the spring,
and the real purpose is to to just share share
where we're going or in a different topic, whether it's
our marketing campaign, or our concession offerings or the music
we play in the stadium. We're not really talking. We're
(09:30):
not you know, we're not giving them folks have opinions
on who should maybe start a running back or left
tackle or whatever that may be. I think those are
two pretty good spots, but it's not football. But we
really want them to give us input on things that
we can do different or better. And so I'll give
you an example. The first fan council we are our
marketing campaign which will be launched here in the in
(09:50):
the not too distant future. Around training camp. We shared
that with the fan council and we were going a
certain direction just in slight word choices, and one of
the fan council members said, hey, I think I think
you might want to think about this differently. It was
really the same message, just the phrasing was a little
different and we changed it just based off based off
of that that fan council feedback. So we've got another
(10:13):
meeting set up here, I think in later in July,
you know, to talk about some of the game days things.
So we'll each meeting will and I think we're planning
on four or so a year we'll provide different topics
and where we present information and then allow the fan
council to give us feedback and then really listen to
it and see how we can adapt to and be
better for all. Do they have opinions on uniforms, Well, yes,
(10:36):
they do have opinions on uniforms, and we will. I mean,
we've been doing focus groups on uniforms for the last
six months, you know, weekly in different ways, and we've
did a huge survey that we took information on. It's
on our website for people to provide feedback, and so
we've listened to everybody. I you know, we're in the
final stages of of kind of putting that together again.
(10:57):
All launching in April twenty four. I see a lot
of questions out there about hey, what about the new
uniforms of this year? Just to be clear, it's April
twenty four. It's about a two year process with the
league that we've to be honest with you, we've cramped
into about a year and a half. So we're going
as fast as we can. So if anybody has questions,
it's not this year. It's for the twenty twenty four season.
But wanted to so there's been a lot of feedback
(11:20):
and we've adjusted to that and I think where we'll
end up is we're you know, based on the feedback
we've gotten. It's not all the same, right, people have
different opinions, and what we hope is we end up
with something that kind of gives a little bit for
all based on the feedback we received.
Speaker 1 (11:34):
Yeah, people don't understand how long it takes. I mean,
you would think I just make some new uniforms, throw
them on, You're good to go. It takes a month. No,
it doesn't.
Speaker 2 (11:42):
No, I mean it's a minimum of two year process
with the NFL, and you know, there's guidelines that we
have to follow. It's a little different than the college
rules where the uniform flexibility, let's just say Oregon is
significantly more flexible than what we have at the NFL level.
But that's what makes the league great. And there there's
there's there's a whole process with licensees and you know,
(12:05):
Nike and everybody else. It's it's we've learned a lot.
It's been a very productive process and excited to see
the outcome next April.
Speaker 1 (12:13):
Well, you worked on that red helmet for a while.
We did people don't understand. I remember I did a
social media post because we had a mannequin in the
lobby and it got some attention. You said, well interesting, Yeah, yeah,
I said, it's in the lobby.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
Yeah. Yeah, we were testing some things on the mannequin,
but just to get see with some input. But yeah,
there's this is all very well thought out, uh strategic approach.
You know that we want to have very good data
and just at the end of the day make the
best decision for the organization and for our fans.
Speaker 1 (12:45):
Okay, So training camp is going to start soon enough,
and everybody wants to know how Demiko Ryans is going
to handle training camp and how the Texans are going
to handle training camp with open practices, and training camp
has really evolved over the years because as you and
I remember, people sitting on bleachers and getting a lot
of sun, right and sometimes you want that, but maybe
(13:07):
in August you don't. So it's going to be a
similar setup. Very nice that way.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
Yeah. Well, we've as you know, we've invested in the
training experience over the last couple of years with shade
coverings for all fans to watch practices. We've done some
different things with some structures for some of our VIP
guests than others, but no training camp will have eight
open practices, which is pretty consistent with what we've done
the last few years, and they feel like it's the
(13:31):
right number spread out kind of over about a two
to three week period. Probably the headlines are night practice
that we'll have that working with Demiko so that our
fans will be a Saturday night practice, and then have
open practices for both the joint practices that we're having
with the Miami Dolphins leading into our first home preseason game.
(13:52):
So should be you know, a great time just for
fans just to come out see the team. You know,
see these guys in action. They work tremendously hard in
in you know, pretty hot weather, and I know the
energy that the fans provide, you know, the team for
those open practices is something that they all, you know,
(14:13):
thrive on and the and the fans get a great
chance to see see where we're headed. And so should
be a great couple of weeks.
Speaker 1 (14:19):
I feel like with the shade every seats of VIP Seed.
Speaker 2 (14:21):
That's correct, no question, you know. And and well we'll continue.
I think we're gonna do some fun things with some
merchandise this year related to some team the shirts that
the team's wearing, that kind of some messages that the
Demico's providing for the team that our fans can get
behind and you know, it'll always be a fun time,
but we'll do everything we can to enjoy some good
(14:42):
football and stay as cool as possible together.
Speaker 1 (14:45):
More memorable night practice hard Knocks in twenty fifteen or
the time Gary Kubiak I think he himself ordered up
a Zydaco band to sort of liven things up at
a night practice.
Speaker 2 (14:57):
Yeah, I think I think that's correct. I might go
with the hard Knocks practice because we had, if I recall,
we had a big tailgating competition before that game or
that for that practice, which made that a lot of fun.
But you're right, I think coach kob did order up
the Zydaco band. He wanted to live in it up
for the players that night, and so that was a
Now we have music at every practice, but I think
that was the first time we had ever had music
(15:18):
like that, and so it was it was a game changer.
Speaker 1 (15:22):
It was a lot of fun that night. So we
see a lot of h town branding with the Texans
leaning into Houston. Houston's team, and it's always been Houston's team,
But can you tell us about that a little bit
greg that direction, because we see the age, we see
the shirts, the merch is so cool.
Speaker 2 (15:38):
Yeah. Well, Houston is such an amazing place, and it's
evolved a lot over the last obviously one hundred plus years,
but I think specifically in the last ten or so,
and I don't want to put a specific timeline, but
it's the most diverse city in America, and it's what
makes Houston great, and from all different walks of life,
(16:00):
all different demographics. And really what we're trying to do
is to reflect and celebrate our city and all that
we do, and to make sure that that we are supportive.
We're showing up for our city, and then we want
our fans to show up for us, and and and so, uh,
very intentionally just trying to celebrate what makes Houston great.
(16:21):
And and you know the phrasing of h Town, which
is I think a moniker that the whole city's kind
of gotten gotten behind. And so it's very intentional. We're
trying to to do it in all different ways, whether
that's the music that we play, the folks that we
engage with the images that we that we put forth.
Speaker 1 (16:40):
How we talk.
Speaker 2 (16:42):
Houston's a very resilient, passionate, diverse place and and so
that really messes well with some of the things where
we are as an organization and what we're trying to
build and and so really excited to see how that evolves.
I think that will continue to evolve over the next
couple of years. But it's it's very purposeful and it
really is just about celebrating the great place that we
(17:02):
all get to live.
Speaker 1 (17:03):
Last year you changed the way you did the Draft party,
huge success, this year even bigger. Also last year you
changed the kickoff lunch into a season premiere night event.
So this year season Premiere Part two or whatever you
want to call it, it's gonna be awesome, even different
and during the week now, but Casino Night experience along
(17:25):
with everything else to raise money for the Houston Texans Founding.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
Correct last year, you know, with Hannah McNair's leadership, the
Lady Texans support, we raised over eight hundred thousand dollars
for the Texans Foundation. All of our players were there,
were so generous with their time, you know, Nick and
our coaches and this year, it will be similar. The
headline this year is it's moved from the Houston Training
(17:47):
Houston Texans or Houston Methodist Training Center to the floor
of NRG Stadium and so actually get to enjoy the
evening on the floor of the stadium where the players
play as we kind of unveil the premiere of the team,
if you will, for the twenty twenty three season, and
really just allows us to give back to our community
(18:08):
and inspire hope where it's needed the most.
Speaker 1 (18:10):
All right, Houston Texans dot com for information on that.
Also on the stadium floor the season ticket members town hall,
which was a really cool event. I mean people were
going wild for Demiko Ryans and Nick Cassario. Real raucous atmosphere.
Speaker 2 (18:25):
No, and it's again it's about being as transparent as
we can with our season ticket members and all of
our fans and just letting them know where we're heading.
I think we had over fifteen hundred people there that night.
As you know, there were no filtered questions and they
were able to just ask ask coach and Dimiko you know,
or coaching and Nick what you know, what that was
(18:48):
on their mind. But I think what was most just
exciting was the energy. I mean when Dimiko came out,
you get a standing ovation. Yeah, and I think the
fans felt that, I know we felt that. I know
I know Demiko enjoyed it and really just man that
that was a lot of fun. And so looking forward
to having that with seventy thousand plus on a Sunday.
Speaker 1 (19:08):
All right, I need a couple of things from you
quick before we exit here. What game other than the
Pittsburgh game where JJ Wato is into the Ring of honor,
what game do you personally have sort of circled on
your calendar. I'm really looking forward to that, this one,
I would say the first one.
Speaker 2 (19:23):
So, I mean the Colts game.
Speaker 1 (19:24):
I just.
Speaker 2 (19:26):
There's so many, but you know, I want to get started,
and I'm really excited about, you know, the team and
where we're headed. I'm excited about some of the changes
that we're we're going to unveil, you know, probably unveil
some of them at the preseason game against Miami, but
to really do that for a regular season game, the
home opener, and get this era and this season kicked
off the right way in front of our home crowd
(19:49):
sold out in RG Stadium, and get going, So, I mean,
you can't get to the second one until you get
to the first one. So I'm focused right there.
Speaker 1 (19:56):
All right, road game other than the first one, Do
you have anything here? Because the Jets in December? Obviously,
the division games are very cool. Cincinnati on the road,
we got a lot of good ones.
Speaker 2 (20:08):
Yeah, I think the Jet game in December might be
a lot of fun because I think they're you know,
they're going to have a good team, and I'm hoping
we're in a position to be playing for something in
the month of December. I know that's the goal and
and so you know, I think that would be a
lot of fun. You know, Robert Sala, there's a lot
of connections to Dimiico there as a former you know,
coach together in San Francisco, work together here, you know,
(20:31):
when Sala was a coach as a defensive assistant quality
control guy here when Demiko was playing. So I think
that'll be an interesting week with a lot of fun
storylines and looking forward to that. New York and December
is always a lot of fun.
Speaker 1 (20:45):
All right, Greg, thanks a lot for being with us.
Speaker 2 (20:47):
Thanks, Mark, appreciate it. Go Texans.
Speaker 1 (20:49):
There's our conversation with Greg Grissom. Great to visit with
him on some of the goings on with the organization.
Can't Wait for Season premiere really can't wait for the
season most of all, but all the other trimmings are
really interesting. The training camp practices. It's gonna be so
much fun out there to watch Tamiko Ryan's crew get
ready for the campaign. Can't Wait August tenth, preseason Game
(21:12):
number one. It'll be at New England. It'll be live
on Sports Radio six ten and The Bowl one hundred
point three FM and ABC thirteen. There will be a
quiz on this later. Check out all the other podcasts
wherever you got this one. Have a great day everybody,
and go Texans.
All right, welcome to the podcast everyone, and this episode
features the President of the Houston Texans, Greg Grissom. Has
been with the organization from the get go. Formally worked
at the Astros. He went to Baylor, but he likes
to ut a lot. I'm not going to get into
his personal life too much here, but I've been friends
with Greg for a long time, and he's doing a
phenomenal job with the Texans business operations as the organization
(00:29):
navigates through this coaching change to TMICO Ryans and marketing
with all the h town stuff, and you've seen the
merch and there's just so many aspects facets of what
he does and contributes to for this organization, in conjunction
with the mcnaires of course, and everybody in football operations.
But it's always interesting to catch up with Greg. So
(00:51):
let's get to it right now. Our conversation with the
President of the Houston Texans, Greg Grissom. Greg Grissom joining us.
It's regg off season. It's the desert as I call it,
between mini camp and training camp, but there's always something
going on with the Texans.
Speaker 2 (01:07):
How you doing there, I'm doing great, Mark, Great to
be with you. Yeah, it's always an exciting time. I
think if you'd go up to our staff upstairs and
talk to them, there's no desert. There's a lot of
hard work going on and a tremendous amount of excitement
as we prepare for the twenty twenty three season.
Speaker 1 (01:23):
So when we left the twenty twenty two season, the
Texans beat the Colts, which was a weird kind of
thing because the number one pick they didn't get it
that day. But so what it all turned out great
with c J. Stroud. We'll get into that in a moment.
But what about hiring tomko Ryans and what it's meant
to the organization reaching back in the history, getting the
(01:43):
former player and everything. The effect that that's had on
the organization as a whole.
Speaker 2 (01:48):
Great, Yeah, I think you the process that Nick Cassario
and Cal and Hannah McNair led to identify to Miko
and and to ensure that that he came home was spectacular.
And since the moment you know he arrived, the day
that he was here, you know that we got to
introduce him to the staff, even before I think that
the day a contract was signed, before the press conference.
(02:10):
I mean, the energy has just been off the charts
and the way it's engaged all of our teammates internally,
our former players, you know, the the all our fans
and season ticket members as a whole. You could feel it.
You could feel it from the very beginning. And and
his leadership, you know, as I've had a chance to
(02:30):
interact with him here and there is amazing and just
really looking forward to the to the impact he can
make on our organization and our city as a whole.
Speaker 1 (02:40):
I think with him and that combined with the draft, Greg,
you've been here every year. I can't think of an
off season with more of a boost, more anticipation. There
have been some off seasons where you feel like the
team's good, you're going to go into a good campaign
and we don't know what the record is going to be.
But just as far as the off season itself, are
you with me that this might be the biggest ever?
Speaker 2 (03:02):
Well, I think it could be. You know, I don't
like to make predictions, but uh, but just the feeling
of it is I will just say there's a tremendous
energy and excitement to what could be coming. And and
you know, uh, and you know, you and I've talked
about some different off seasons in the past. I think
(03:22):
it's equal to, if not greater, you know, some of
those off seasons. And you know, time will tell, but
but I think, you know, watching Nick and Demico work
together around the draft and how they they navigated that
to get the outcome that we did, and the excitement
that that generated across the city and our fan base,
and then you know, every step of the way forward,
(03:43):
you know, the free agencies, which I really think, you know,
some of the decisions, and the players we brought in,
you know, are going to be fun to watch and
to see the impact that some of these guys can
have on our team as a whole. So you know,
I have seen some of the media who aren't always
uh you know, is kind, and you know I've seen
it referenced in some places, even the perfect offseason. I
(04:04):
don't know about that, you know, I don't. I don't
I don't want to ever put that pressure on it.
But I know that that we're really excited about where
we're going and and and can't wait to get it
get it started here in a month or two.
Speaker 1 (04:17):
Draft night. It still blows me away the level of excitement.
It felt like a playoff win or something like that.
The way everything went down with the number two pick
and then trading up and the fans and uh Cal McNair,
Hannah McNair there, you were there. Obviously, it was a
tremendous experience.
Speaker 2 (04:33):
It was a great event and the first and foremost
I want to give a lot of credit to our
event experienced team and all the folks who helped put
that event together at Miller Outdoor Theater, working in partnership
with the folks at Miller Outdoor Theater Houston first to
allow that to happen.
Speaker 1 (04:46):
It was.
Speaker 2 (04:47):
It was packed to the gills. I think we we
we had found every spot for a fan to be
and obviously when we drafted CJ, the place went crazy
and excitement. And then right behind it to announce the
trade and I was actually standing very close to Andre
Johnson and just seeing him going you know what we
did what and just the excitement of how that all went.
(05:07):
It was a great night and to celebrate it with
our fans. I know the McNair's enjoyed, you know, being
there and being present both at the beginning of the
draft and coming back later and just to be around
our fan base and just to be hopeful about what's
to come.
Speaker 1 (05:25):
It was a great night, all right, you brought up
Andre Johnson, so I'm going to fast forward. We'll get
into everything else, but JJ Watt and having what night announced.
It's not a night, it's a game with the Pittsburgh Steelers,
but going into the Ring of Honor. But it's just
tremendous to have these former players, these Texans legends in
the fold with the Damico higher and I was going
(05:46):
over some stats today writing articles for various things, and
Demiko is still so high up on all these lists
tackles and solo tackles and consecutive starts and that kind
of thing. And then to see what go into the
Ring of Honor along with Andrey Johnson and mister MC
that's tremendous stuff.
Speaker 2 (06:01):
What is in all of our former players, we call
them legends. The NFL calls them legends. That's you know,
if you made it to the NFL, it's pretty legendary.
In my book, I don't think you and I made
it there, so uh, we give them that respect. And
all of our legends are really important to the organization,
the history of the organization and where we've come from.
And and how we continue to recognize that. And then
(06:23):
when you think of a player like JJ, I mean,
we we you know, you know, he left here, went
to Arizona, you know, had finished out his career, but
he's a Texan and and you know, we wanted to
make sure that that we did everything we could to
engage with him, and he obviously it was really excited
about the opportunity to come home and and and to
(06:43):
be part of Houston and what we're what we're what
we're building moving forward. I know he's extremely supportive of
Demico and and and his staff, so it all kind
of fit. But uh, you know, really excited and and
about making sure that that JJ takes his rightful place
in the history of our organization in the Ring of
Honor against the Steelers on October first.
Speaker 1 (07:04):
So that's going to be a tough ticket. There are
a lot of tough tickets though. So what's going on
with tickets? Greg? I know you've commented publicly a bit,
but what's the latest you can share with us on
how season ticket sales are going? In the crowd at
NRG Stadium.
Speaker 2 (07:16):
Yeah, I think, I mean, there's nothing better than a
sold out, energetic you know, full on crazy NRG stadium,
and that's our goal every game for for the that
we play here in Houston, and I think we're getting
back to that, you know. The last couple of years
we've actually, you know, without getting too far in the weeds,
we've sold a lot of tickets just we needed everybody
(07:38):
to come and support, you know, come to the games.
But I think the answer to your question is it's
going very well. There is still some opportunity, I think
here over the next thirty to sixty days for folks
to jump on board and get season tickets. There's a
very limited availability of that and then and there, but
there is group tickets and single game tickets available kind
of just adapting the way that we structure some of
(08:00):
access to tickets. But the goal is to sell out
every game. We want to start, you know, with the
regular season with the Colts game, to get.
Speaker 1 (08:07):
That sold out.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
Pretty sure, the Steelers game will be sold out with
a bunch of Texans fans. We may have some visitors
from Pittsburgh to but all celebrate. JJ got the Saints
following after that, So get off to a great start,
and really we just want the energy and n our
JEF Stadium is loud and is possible to support these players.
I know they feed off that energy and we want
(08:28):
to create that home field advantage for them.
Speaker 1 (08:30):
I think, no matter what, when the Steelers are on offense,
showed JJ on the video board, we're good. Yeah, lots
of noise, no matter what, there would be noise anyway.
But that's right shru Fan counsel, Greg, people have been
hearing about this fan counsel. What can you tell us
about what they do, what happens on a fan council meeting? Well?
Speaker 2 (08:47):
Sure, So the fan council first and foremost, We've always
you know, since inception of the organization, since I've been
here and we've been here, we always want to listen
to our fans. But with you know, some of the
things that we're trying to do really with Cal and
Hannah just challenging us to think differently and to make
sure we're reaching out and really listening to our fans
(09:07):
and getting as much feedback as we possibly can. We
established this fan council, you know, I guess in the spring,
and the real purpose is to to just share share
where we're going or in a different topic, whether it's
our marketing campaign, or our concession offerings or the music
we play in the stadium. We're not really talking. We're
(09:30):
not you know, we're not giving them folks have opinions
on who should maybe start a running back or left
tackle or whatever that may be. I think those are
two pretty good spots, but it's not football. But we
really want them to give us input on things that
we can do different or better. And so I'll give
you an example. The first fan council we are our
marketing campaign which will be launched here in the in
(09:50):
the not too distant future. Around training camp. We shared
that with the fan council and we were going a
certain direction just in slight word choices, and one of
the fan council members said, hey, I think I think
you might want to think about this differently. It was
really the same message, just the phrasing was a little
different and we changed it just based off based off
of that that fan council feedback. So we've got another
(10:13):
meeting set up here, I think in later in July,
you know, to talk about some of the game days things.
So we'll each meeting will and I think we're planning
on four or so a year we'll provide different topics
and where we present information and then allow the fan
council to give us feedback and then really listen to
it and see how we can adapt to and be
better for all. Do they have opinions on uniforms, Well, yes,
(10:36):
they do have opinions on uniforms, and we will. I mean,
we've been doing focus groups on uniforms for the last
six months, you know, weekly in different ways, and we've
did a huge survey that we took information on. It's
on our website for people to provide feedback, and so
we've listened to everybody. I you know, we're in the
final stages of of kind of putting that together again.
(10:57):
All launching in April twenty four. I see a lot
of questions out there about hey, what about the new
uniforms of this year? Just to be clear, it's April
twenty four. It's about a two year process with the
league that we've to be honest with you, we've cramped
into about a year and a half. So we're going
as fast as we can. So if anybody has questions,
it's not this year. It's for the twenty twenty four season.
But wanted to so there's been a lot of feedback
(11:20):
and we've adjusted to that and I think where we'll
end up is we're you know, based on the feedback
we've gotten. It's not all the same, right, people have
different opinions, and what we hope is we end up
with something that kind of gives a little bit for
all based on the feedback we received.
Speaker 1 (11:34):
Yeah, people don't understand how long it takes. I mean,
you would think I just make some new uniforms, throw
them on, You're good to go. It takes a month. No,
it doesn't.
Speaker 2 (11:42):
No, I mean it's a minimum of two year process
with the NFL, and you know, there's guidelines that we
have to follow. It's a little different than the college
rules where the uniform flexibility, let's just say Oregon is
significantly more flexible than what we have at the NFL level.
But that's what makes the league great. And there there's
there's there's a whole process with licensees and you know,
(12:05):
Nike and everybody else. It's it's we've learned a lot.
It's been a very productive process and excited to see
the outcome next April.
Speaker 1 (12:13):
Well, you worked on that red helmet for a while.
We did people don't understand. I remember I did a
social media post because we had a mannequin in the
lobby and it got some attention. You said, well interesting, Yeah, yeah,
I said, it's in the lobby.
Speaker 2 (12:27):
Yeah. Yeah, we were testing some things on the mannequin,
but just to get see with some input. But yeah,
there's this is all very well thought out, uh strategic approach.
You know that we want to have very good data
and just at the end of the day make the
best decision for the organization and for our fans.
Speaker 1 (12:45):
Okay, So training camp is going to start soon enough,
and everybody wants to know how Demiko Ryans is going
to handle training camp and how the Texans are going
to handle training camp with open practices, and training camp
has really evolved over the years because as you and
I remember, people sitting on bleachers and getting a lot
of sun, right and sometimes you want that, but maybe
(13:07):
in August you don't. So it's going to be a
similar setup. Very nice that way.
Speaker 2 (13:11):
Yeah. Well, we've as you know, we've invested in the
training experience over the last couple of years with shade
coverings for all fans to watch practices. We've done some
different things with some structures for some of our VIP
guests than others, but no training camp will have eight
open practices, which is pretty consistent with what we've done
the last few years, and they feel like it's the
(13:31):
right number spread out kind of over about a two
to three week period. Probably the headlines are night practice
that we'll have that working with Demiko so that our
fans will be a Saturday night practice, and then have
open practices for both the joint practices that we're having
with the Miami Dolphins leading into our first home preseason game.
(13:52):
So should be you know, a great time just for
fans just to come out see the team. You know,
see these guys in action. They work tremendously hard in
in you know, pretty hot weather, and I know the
energy that the fans provide, you know, the team for
those open practices is something that they all, you know,
(14:13):
thrive on and the and the fans get a great
chance to see see where we're headed. And so should
be a great couple of weeks.
Speaker 1 (14:19):
I feel like with the shade every seats of VIP Seed.
Speaker 2 (14:21):
That's correct, no question, you know. And and well we'll continue.
I think we're gonna do some fun things with some
merchandise this year related to some team the shirts that
the team's wearing, that kind of some messages that the
Demico's providing for the team that our fans can get
behind and you know, it'll always be a fun time,
but we'll do everything we can to enjoy some good
(14:42):
football and stay as cool as possible together.
Speaker 1 (14:45):
More memorable night practice hard Knocks in twenty fifteen or
the time Gary Kubiak I think he himself ordered up
a Zydaco band to sort of liven things up at
a night practice.
Speaker 2 (14:57):
Yeah, I think I think that's correct. I might go
with the hard Knocks practice because we had, if I recall,
we had a big tailgating competition before that game or
that for that practice, which made that a lot of fun.
But you're right, I think coach kob did order up
the Zydaco band. He wanted to live in it up
for the players that night, and so that was a
Now we have music at every practice, but I think
that was the first time we had ever had music
(15:18):
like that, and so it was it was a game changer.
Speaker 1 (15:22):
It was a lot of fun that night. So we
see a lot of h town branding with the Texans
leaning into Houston. Houston's team, and it's always been Houston's team,
But can you tell us about that a little bit
greg that direction, because we see the age, we see
the shirts, the merch is so cool.
Speaker 2 (15:38):
Yeah. Well, Houston is such an amazing place, and it's
evolved a lot over the last obviously one hundred plus years,
but I think specifically in the last ten or so,
and I don't want to put a specific timeline, but
it's the most diverse city in America, and it's what
makes Houston great, and from all different walks of life,
(16:00):
all different demographics. And really what we're trying to do
is to reflect and celebrate our city and all that
we do, and to make sure that that we are supportive.
We're showing up for our city, and then we want
our fans to show up for us, and and and so, uh,
very intentionally just trying to celebrate what makes Houston great.
(16:21):
And and you know the phrasing of h Town, which
is I think a moniker that the whole city's kind
of gotten gotten behind. And so it's very intentional. We're
trying to to do it in all different ways, whether
that's the music that we play, the folks that we
engage with the images that we that we put forth.
Speaker 1 (16:40):
How we talk.
Speaker 2 (16:42):
Houston's a very resilient, passionate, diverse place and and so
that really messes well with some of the things where
we are as an organization and what we're trying to
build and and so really excited to see how that evolves.
I think that will continue to evolve over the next
couple of years. But it's it's very purposeful and it
really is just about celebrating the great place that we
(17:02):
all get to live.
Speaker 1 (17:03):
Last year you changed the way you did the Draft party,
huge success, this year even bigger. Also last year you
changed the kickoff lunch into a season premiere night event.
So this year season Premiere Part two or whatever you
want to call it, it's gonna be awesome, even different
and during the week now, but Casino Night experience along
(17:25):
with everything else to raise money for the Houston Texans Founding.
Speaker 2 (17:27):
Correct last year, you know, with Hannah McNair's leadership, the
Lady Texans support, we raised over eight hundred thousand dollars
for the Texans Foundation. All of our players were there,
were so generous with their time, you know, Nick and
our coaches and this year, it will be similar. The
headline this year is it's moved from the Houston Training
(17:47):
Houston Texans or Houston Methodist Training Center to the floor
of NRG Stadium and so actually get to enjoy the
evening on the floor of the stadium where the players
play as we kind of unveil the premiere of the team,
if you will, for the twenty twenty three season, and
really just allows us to give back to our community
(18:08):
and inspire hope where it's needed the most.
Speaker 1 (18:10):
All right, Houston Texans dot com for information on that.
Also on the stadium floor the season ticket members town hall,
which was a really cool event. I mean people were
going wild for Demiko Ryans and Nick Cassario. Real raucous atmosphere.
Speaker 2 (18:25):
No, and it's again it's about being as transparent as
we can with our season ticket members and all of
our fans and just letting them know where we're heading.
I think we had over fifteen hundred people there that night.
As you know, there were no filtered questions and they
were able to just ask ask coach and Dimiko you know,
or coaching and Nick what you know, what that was
(18:48):
on their mind. But I think what was most just
exciting was the energy. I mean when Dimiko came out,
you get a standing ovation. Yeah, and I think the
fans felt that, I know we felt that. I know
I know Demiko enjoyed it and really just man that
that was a lot of fun. And so looking forward
to having that with seventy thousand plus on a Sunday.
Speaker 1 (19:08):
All right, I need a couple of things from you
quick before we exit here. What game other than the
Pittsburgh game where JJ Wato is into the Ring of honor,
what game do you personally have sort of circled on
your calendar. I'm really looking forward to that, this one,
I would say the first one.
Speaker 2 (19:23):
So, I mean the Colts game.
Speaker 1 (19:24):
I just.
Speaker 2 (19:26):
There's so many, but you know, I want to get started,
and I'm really excited about, you know, the team and
where we're headed. I'm excited about some of the changes
that we're we're going to unveil, you know, probably unveil
some of them at the preseason game against Miami, but
to really do that for a regular season game, the
home opener, and get this era and this season kicked
off the right way in front of our home crowd
(19:49):
sold out in RG Stadium, and get going, So, I mean,
you can't get to the second one until you get
to the first one. So I'm focused right there.
Speaker 1 (19:56):
All right, road game other than the first one, Do
you have anything here? Because the Jets in December? Obviously,
the division games are very cool. Cincinnati on the road,
we got a lot of good ones.
Speaker 2 (20:08):
Yeah, I think the Jet game in December might be
a lot of fun because I think they're you know,
they're going to have a good team, and I'm hoping
we're in a position to be playing for something in
the month of December. I know that's the goal and
and so you know, I think that would be a
lot of fun. You know, Robert Sala, there's a lot
of connections to Dimiico there as a former you know,
coach together in San Francisco, work together here, you know,
(20:31):
when Sala was a coach as a defensive assistant quality
control guy here when Demiko was playing. So I think
that'll be an interesting week with a lot of fun
storylines and looking forward to that. New York and December
is always a lot of fun.
Speaker 1 (20:45):
All right, Greg, thanks a lot for being with us.
Speaker 2 (20:47):
Thanks, Mark, appreciate it. Go Texans.
Speaker 1 (20:49):
There's our conversation with Greg Grissom. Great to visit with
him on some of the goings on with the organization.
Can't Wait for Season premiere really can't wait for the
season most of all, but all the other trimmings are
really interesting. The training camp practices. It's gonna be so
much fun out there to watch Tamiko Ryan's crew get
ready for the campaign. Can't Wait August tenth, preseason Game
(21:12):
number one. It'll be at New England. It'll be live
on Sports Radio six ten and The Bowl one hundred
point three FM and ABC thirteen. There will be a
quiz on this later. Check out all the other podcasts
wherever you got this one. Have a great day everybody,
and go Texans.
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