Houston Texans defensive end Will Anderson Jr. finally made his long-awaited visit to the Texas Air National Guard 147th Attack Wing at Ellington Field in Houston this Tuesday, November 10, 2026. The trip, canceled last year because of a government shutdown, saw Anderson connecting with dozens of Air National Guard members and getting a full tour of their operations, all ahead of Veterans Day.
From Pilot’s Chair To Hangar: Anderson’s 10 Out Of 10 Experience
This wasn’t just a quick photo op. Anderson got deep into it, starting with a presentation on the history of Ellington Field and the 147th Attack Wing. Then, he was right there in a ground control station, checking out how local unmanned flights go down. He even got to sit in the pilot’s chair while someone broke down the whole operation for him. Think about that! From the gridiron to piloting. He then moved to a hangar where different units showed off what they do, giving him a full look at their work.
Anderson himself called it “a 10 out of 10 experience.” He said, “I had a lot of fun today. It’s always great when you get to step off the field and you get to do something different.” And honestly, you could tell how much it meant. Julie Honeycutt, the 147th Operations Group Commander, was spot on when she said, “It’s amazing, and it says a lot about him. Like he’s here on his day off to come out here and show support.” That’s our guy right there, showing up when it counts, even off the field.
Football Is The Universal Language, But 75 Pounds Hits Different
The love clearly went both ways. Service members were stoked, bringing out items for Anderson to sign, and he signed *everything*, taking photos with anyone who asked. You know how important football is on bases, right? Honeycutt, a former Oilers fan who jumped on the Texans bandwagon, even threw shade at the Cowboys, saying, “I don’t like the Cowboys. You could put that in print.” Talk about a fan! She nailed it, saying, “With the military, sports is a shared language. It brings people together.” You see Texans patches on uniforms, fantasy leagues popping off, games playing in operation centers on Saturdays and Sundays. It’s real.
Anderson himself was chatting with folks about how much teamwork plays a role in both their jobs. There’s a shared grind, a shared mission. But let’s be real, there are differences too. He tried on some of their gear, a monster rig that weighed in at 75 pounds. His take? “Way heavier” than pads and a helmet. He even joked about it, saying, “We don’t need those right there. Somebody might fall out there” if they tried bringing that to Texans practice. It’s a stark reminder of the unique demands of each profession, but also the deep respect he has for what they do.
This visit wasn’t just a feel-good story; it was a powerful statement about community, respect, and the shared values of teamwork that transcend the football field. Anderson stepped up on his day off to honor those who serve, and in doing so, he showed us all what it means to be a true leader, on and off the gridiron. What an absolute legend.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
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