Titans 23, Texans 22

Helmet-less tackle turns Bryan Braman into a Texan folk hero: Fans love a crazyman

The Houston Texans' regular season finale didn't figure to provide many thrills.

Pro Bowl tailback Arian Foster watched from the sidelines in a sweatshirt, chewing on a straw as Ben Tate carried the load (16 carries for 97 yards). Starting quarterback T.J. Yates (who suffered an injury to his non-throwing shoulder that would have allowed him to return if the Texans wished) joined Foster after going 4-for-4 for 47 yards to lead the Texans on a 90-yard touchdown drive in his only series. With the Texans' playoff position locked in (No. 3 seed in the AFC), Week 17 turned into the preseason at Reliant Stadium.

"(Yates) could have gone back in the game," Kubiak said. "I obviously didn't want him to go back in the game."

The Tennessee 23, Houston 22 final score only matters to the Titans (9-7), who needed the win to have any chance of making the playoffs. The Texans (10-6) go into the playoffs off a three-game losing streak, though it's hard to say what that means considering how they played this game with reserves.

Braman didn't just tackle Titans returner Marc Mariani. He led with his head — his completely unprotected head — to deliver the hit.

How little did this game matter to Texans coach Gary Kubiak? With a chance to kick an extra point and take the game into overtime at 23-23 with 00:19 seconds left, the coach elected to go for a two-point conversion and the win instead. Even after tight end Joel Dreessen committed a false start penalty on the first two-point attempt, backing the Texans up, Kubiak ordered another two-point try.

The ball was promptly snapped over reserve quarterback Jake Delhomme's head by third-string center Thomas Austin and Houston lost.

It's no stretch to say that the New York Jets 19-17 loss in Miami carried more significance to the Texans as it eliminated two of the four teams they could host in the playoffs next Saturday or Sunday. Cincinnati and these Titans are now the possibilities. If Cincinnati beats 11-4 Baltimore, it's the Bengals. If the Ravens win, it's a Tennessee two-step for the Texans.

But the Houston fans who paid full price for the actual Texans game Sunday still got something to talk about. Besides Kubiak's curious two-point try decision.

Thanks to rookie special teams player Bryan Braman. Braman delivered one of the hits of the year in the NFL, upstaging even the Texans' mad-tackling kicker (sorry Neil Rackers).

The Unexpected Star

It started as an ordinary kick return for the Tennessee Titans. But then Braman came flying into the picture, with nothing on his head (he lost his helmet earlier in the return), gunning for the ball carrier. Braman didn't just tackle Titans returner Marc Mariani. He led with his head — his completely unprotected head — to deliver the hit.

Mariani went down and Braman jogged back to the sidelines, seemingly no worse for wear. The Reliant Stadium crowd roared and coaches and teammates came over to slap the rookie on the back — and to shake their head at him.

As the Texans started resting more and more of their starters, Braman got a sack in the third quarter as well. Who knew this would be No. 50's day?

It didn't last that long though as Braman left the game after that sack. Did the helmet-less hit earlier have anything to do with it?

Braman didn't think so, calling it just "a stinger." As for his helmet-less bravado, the shaggy-haired rookie shrugged that off too.

"I guess you don't see too many guys do that," he said. "Most guys who lose their helmet get out of the play. To be honest, I was more concerned about what the coaches were going to say about me getting blocked."

Braman didn't stay blocked — even if he couldn't stay attached to his helmet.

"The coaches haven't said anything about the block yet," Braman said. "But we haven't watched the film yet."

Braman — a brief sack star in this year's preseason — came to the Texans with some background baggage, the kind of baggage that can often derail the chances of an undrafted free agent. When he played defensive end for little West Texas A&M, Braman was suspended from the team after he plead guilty to manufacturing psilocybin, a hallucinogen found in mushrooms. Texans defensive coordinator Wade Phillips liked what he saw of Braman on tape though — and he liked the way Texans defensive assistant Bobby King (a former West Texas A&M assistant) stood up for Braman.

And what Phillips wants usually happens.

In this case, Texans' fans can thank Phillips for one of the most entertaining plays of the year. Braman's crazy tackle does not mean much in the big picture, but this particular game brought enough big-picture thinking (and resting). Sometimes football can still just be fun.

Braman is all about that. And delivering big hits. Just watch his highlights from his West Texas A&M days in the video above this story.

pucker up

Growing pickleball franchise smashes into Houston with 2 locations

Two men play pickleball on a Picklr court.

Photo courtesy of The Picklr

A Picklr court campus similar to the ones soon to open in Houston.

Pickleball is one of the hottest sports sweeping the nation, and one of the biggest names in the game is setting up two new facilities in Houston. Picklr is scheduled to open indoor sports campuses in Cypress and The Woodlands in the coming months.

“Bringing a pickleball facility to Cypress will not only provide a fun and engaging recreational outlet for residents of all ages, but will also foster a sense of community and promote a healthy and active lifestyle,” said Steve Nguyen, owner of The Picklr Cypress.“This facility will serve as a vibrant hub for social interaction, skill development, and friendly/competitive competition, enhancing community bonds and offering a welcoming space for everyone to enjoy.”

Although the game is approximately 60 years old, pickleball saw a massive spike in popularity following the pandemic when people were looking for fun group activities with easy points of entry. Though a racket sport like tennis, it is far easier and slower thanks to using perforated balls, smaller courts, and lighter paddles. This means the game is open to players of all ages, and was originally most popular with retirees. Now, there are roughly 5 million players across America, with players under 24 making up the majority. Houston even has its own professional team, the Hammers (not the Texas Hammer; that's this guy).

The court in Cypress will be located in the old ASI Gymnastics building at 8920 Barker Cypress. It's a relatively modest facility with only six courts including a practice court. By contrast, The Woodlands location will be much more opulent. At 66,517 square feet, it will have 20 courts, 4 private event spaces (one with an exclusive viewing area), as well as a shower, changing room, dry bar, and kitchenette. Picklr The Woodlands will be located at 16590 Interstate I-45 South.

These locations are the first for Picklr in Houston. They have twelve locations all throughout Texas, including in Round Rock and McKinney, and many more nationwide. Picklr locations operate on a membership model similar to a gym. Memberships run $159 a month for adults and $89 for minors, with unlimited access to open play, league play, and tournaments , as well as four free clinics a month. Additional coaching is available.

There is currently no set opening date for the two Houston-area Picklrs. Players interested in learning more may sign up for updates at ThePicklr.com.

pickleball openings

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