The Houston Texans began the 2025 NFL season carrying expectations unlike any in their past, and the buzz was palpable throughout the organization. Conversations in the hallways likely rang with the names “Nico Collins” or “CJ Stroud.” It had all the elements for a successful season: a young franchise quarterback, a creative coaching staff, and a roster packed with rising stars. For the first time in a long time, the Texans held hope for a playoff run and possibly a Super Bowl appearance. Ten games later, the Texans sit at 5-5, surrounded by questions of their inconsistencies this year and what the future holds for them.
With the sport of football being a large favorite among the student body and the school located in the city of Houston, it is no surprise that an overwhelming majority of St. Thomas students are proud to call themselves Texans fans. This strong local support means that many St. Thomas students follow the NFL closely, with Texans discussions dominating many conversations. Even as the team sits at 5-5 and remains in the AFC playoff picture, their results have fallen short of September’s expectations.
“I have been extremely upset by the Houston Texans’ play. I had high hopes for this season!” Stephen Granger ‘27 said.
The early part of the season formed a pattern that has become all too familiar for Texans fans: explosive offensive plays followed by stalled possessions, or strong defensive performances one quarter followed by 24 points in the next. Students aren’t exactly sure how the season will go and struggle to identify how successful the team could be.
“We don’t deserve to make the playoffs this year. The team is just too inconsistent,” Luca Chavez ‘26 said. Students are unsure whether to see the team as a contender or a pretender; however, Chavez makes his opinion clear.
The season has been a strange one, to say the least. Fans at the school feel confident, yet also defeated.
“Being a Texans fan is very frustrating. Our offense is lethargic when it comes to scoring. However, Davis Mills’ legacy game will hopefully give the offense some motivation moving forward. On the positive side, the defense looks immaculate,” Jacob Dickinson ‘27 said.
Some, such as Dickinson, believe in C.J. Stroud’s replacement, Davis Mills, after Stroud’s brutal head injury, as he has led them to a 2-0 record in games where he has started. Certainly, being a fan of the Texans requires significant patience.
“I very often get mad on Sundays when the Texans play and have to pray to God for help with my anger.” Hudson Sage ‘29 said.
The mood of students who are Texans fans and the Texans’ performance are most definitely correlated. All fans feel a certain connection to their team and feel frustrated when they fail, and they allow this frustration to carry over into various aspects of their day-to-day life. A winning streak for the team noticeably lifts the students’ morale; however, a tough loss can be seen in the disappointed faces of student fans the next day.
“I feel depressed every time the Texans lose. The Texans are more than a team to me,” diehard Texans fan Jonathan Marsack ‘27 said.
The Texans’ season thankfully remains unwritten, with seven games left to define whether the 2025 season will be remembered as a year of success or a letdown of what could have been.
“I think that we got it in us! In Money Mills we believe!” Texan’s super-fan Cal Kirkpatrick ‘26 said.
For students at St. Thomas, the Texans have given them hope, frustration, excitement, uncertainty, and so many other emotions.
“Every Sunday, I have no idea what to expect from my team. I just always hope to get the W,” Isaac Moody ‘28 said.
So among the students at St. Thomas, many anxious Texans fans must survive week by week and pray that the final chapter of the season is one of victory.
