John McClain: Andre Johnson fails to make Hall of Fame in second year of eligibility

For the second consecutive year, former Texans wide receiver Andre Johnson failed to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Johnson is caught in a logjam with two other receivers with Hall of Fame credentials – Torry Holt and Reggie Wayne.

The 48-member selection committee made Johnson, Holt, and Wayne finalists who made the reduction from 15 to 10, but they didn’t make the cut to five that would almost guarantee them of being elected. In his first year of eligibility in 2022, Johnson made the cut from 15 to 10, but Holt and Wayne didn’t.

The Class of 2023 was announced Thursday night on the NFL Honors Show in Phoenix. The class includes five modern-era members – offensive tackle Joe Thomas, cornerback Darrelle Revis, linebacker/defensive end DeMarcus Ware, linebacker Zach Thomas, and cornerback Ronde Barber. There also were three seniors – linebacker Chuck Howley, cornerback Ken Riley and defensive lineman Joe Klecko. The late Don Coryell made it as the coaches candidate.

The Class of 2023 will be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame on Aug. 5 in Canton, Ohio.

Of the receivers, Holt has been a finalist the longest. Wayne is next. Johnson will have a chance to make the Class of 2024 in his third year of eligibility.

Johnson, who certainly has the credentials to make the Pro Football Hall of Fame, was drafted third overall in 2003. He played 14 seasons, including his first 12 with the Texans. Johnson and Texans founder Bob McNair are the only members of the team’s Ring of Honor at NRG Stadium.

With the Texans, Johnson became one of the greatest receivers in NFL history. He had 1,062 catches, 14,185 yards, and 70 touchdowns. Playing with a plethora of Texans’ quarterbacks, Johnson caught 1,012 passes for 13,597 yards and 64 touchdowns. He had 51 games with at least 100 yards.

Johnson was voted to seven Pro Bowls and made the All-Pro team three times. Among his achievements during his exceptional career were five seasons with at least 100 receptions — one more than Jerry Rice and Marvin Harrison and two more than Cris Carter and Randy Moss, each of whom is a member of the Hall of Fame.

Three times Johnson compiled 1,500-yard seasons, tying him for second with Harrison, one behind Rice, among Hall of Fame receivers. Johnson and Harrison had three seasons with at least 100 receptions and 1,500 yards, one more than Rice and two more than Moss, Michael Irvin, Isaac Bruce, and Calvin Johnson.

To make the Hall of Fame, candidates had to receive at least 80% of the votes from the 48-member selection committee.

(John McClain writes four columns a week for GallerySports.com. He can be heard Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday on Sports Radio 610 and Monday and Thursday on Texans Radio. He does three weekly Houtopia podcasts for 610. He also can be read three times a week on SportsRadio610.com).