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    Beyond the Boxscore

    Arian Foster finds unusual playoff motivation: Email promise drives the Texansplayoff lifeline

    Chris Baldwin
    Jan 4, 2013 | 6:46 am
    • Arian Foster went into stands after he scored against the Bengals in theplayoffs last January.
      Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
    • Arian Foster is motivated by making sure that Andre Johnson gets his chance toleap high in the biggest games.
      Photo by © Michelle Watson/CultureMapSNAP.com

    Arian Foster sent the email to the all-time greatest Houston Texan back when 6-10 seasons brought real heartache to Reliant Stadium, long before anyone could have imagined 12-4 would deliver disappointment.

    He told Andre Johnson then that he'd do everything in his power to help the perennial all-pro get playoff moments like the one they'll both enjoy on Saturday.

    "This is mighty brave of me to say, but I remember emailing (Andre) and I said, ‘I’m going to help you get to the stage where you can shine,’ " Foster says. "I told him that when I was a rookie. And last year I told him, ‘We got here.’

    "And he did it, he shined on that stage. We didn’t get to go to the big dance, but we were in the dance. It was one of my goals as a player, as an NFL player, it’s written down, to help Andre Johnson get into the playoffs and maybe one day get into the Super Bowl."

     

      "I don’t really watch TV that much. I’ve been reading a lot of books lately. They don’t have any opinions on the Texans." 

    When everyone tries to analyze why Arian Foster is so good in the playoffs, they might want to start with that email. Texans defensive end J.J. Watt's obsession with writing down all his goals, and every seemingly crazy thing he wants to accomplish, is well known around the Texans.

    But it turns out the more free flowing, philosopher running back jolts goals down too. And he's doing pretty well at keeping the helping Andre one.

    Foster has rushed for more yards (285) than any back in history in his first two playoff games and has the chance to be the first running back to run for more than 100 yards in his first three career playoff games when the Texans face the Cincinnati Bengals (10-6) Saturday afternoon.

    Knowing that if he doesn't, there is a good chance Andre Johnson will be going home early again.

    "I think that’s the core of what we do, is running the ball," Foster says. "And I think when we’re effective running the ball, it opens up our offense. It keeps our defense off of the field."

     Reading Arian Foster

    Foster may be the most fascinating professional athlete in America. Every time he talks to the press is a virtual must listen. He largely refuses to answer trite, standard fare questions, volleying them back rather than delivering the same meaningless sound bites that athletes have been giving for generations.

    And he does it in such a deadpan manner that you sometimes wonder if the questioner even gets it.

    Take Foster on the Texans "alarming" lack of momentum going into the playoffs . . .

     

    Not that Foster is reading some American best seller. He's into The Sharman & Ayahuasca by Peru author Don Jose Carlos.

    "I don’t really watch TV that much," he says. "I’ve been reading a lot of books lately. They don’t have any opinions on the Texans."

    Not that Foster is reading some American best seller. He's into The Shaman & Ayahuasca by Peru author Don Jose Carlos.

    "It’s about a plant in, I think it’s the Amazon rain forest, that when you ingest it, it’s supposed to take you to a spiritual experience similar to DMT," Foster says of the hallucinogenic. "I don’t know if you want to get that deep, but that’s what I was reading.”

     Geno Atkins and the Bengals stifling front seven can hardly expect a tranquil Foster. For No. 23 is just as much of a student of football, one who understands what playoff time requires more than most.

    "I think everyone's intensity rises in the playoffs," Texans tight end Owen Daniels says. "But with guys like Arian and Andre, you notice it more because they're so talented.

    "When they take it to another level, it's a level most guys don't even have."

    Foster and Johnson carried the Texans' offense in the playoffs last January with T.J. Yates under center. If you don't think they can do the same with Matt Schaub at quarterback — despite all the frantic focus centering on the signal caller — you haven't been paying attention.

    "You’re not out there thinking, 'OK, this is the playoffs, I have to make a play.' But you kind of get a sense when your team needs you," Foster says. "I’ve been preparing my entire life for these moments to play in the National Football League."

    He has a promise to keep after all — a rookie's brash emailed vow that has not faded with time. If anything, Foster feels the urgency even more.

    "I’ve learned a lot from (Andre) and he’s inspired me to be a better football player, to be a better human being," Foster says. "It’s one of my goals to make sure he gets that (Super Bowl) opportunity."

    Every playoff burst from Foster brings Johnson closer, threatening to make an email almost book worthy.

    unspecified
    news/sports

    in this corner

    Premier Japanese women's wrestling league performs in Houston this weekend

    Jef Rouner
    Jul 9, 2025 | 12:30 pm
    Two Japanese women wrestlers compete in a ring. One is stomping in the other with both feet.
    Photo courtesy of Tokyo Joshi
    Hard-hitting women's wrestling for two nights in Houston

    For the first time ever, one of Japan's premier women's wrestling promotions, Tokyo Joshi Pro Wrestling, will be touring Texas, with a two-night stay in Houston this week.

    "Bringing TJPW to Texas reflects Tokyo Story’s broader strategy," a Tokyo Story representative writes in an email. "As a Japan-inspired toy and event company, we see major Southwest cities — especially in Texas — as prime for the growth of Asian pop culture. Houston, Dallas, and others are becoming more diverse, culturally curious, and open to new entertainment formats. This isn’t a one-off stop — it’s part of a long-term push to bring Japan’s creativity to cities with eager audiences. And we are making TJPW Live an annual event!"

    The events happen on Thursday, July 10 and Friday, July 11 at POST Houston (401 Franklin). Tickets are available at TokyoStoryUSA.com.

    TJPW split off from DDT Wrestling in 2012 as a sister promotion (or "league") that ran alongside its male counterpart before becoming its own entity in 2015. In that time, they've launched the career of international superstars like Yuka Sakazaki and Mina Shirakawa (both currently signed to All Elite Wrestling in America), as well as hosting non-Japanese guest grapplers like Thunder Rosa.

    The fighting is excellent and often brutal, but TJPW is also known for its playfulness. Matches embrace anime-like absurdity, such as having a wrestler work in a giant panda mascot costume. The promoters are hoping to one day partner with Texas truck stop icon Buc-ee's for a more mascot shenanigans. Many of the women also perform in J-pop girl groups on of their wrestling duties.

    On Night 1, strike specialist Miyu Yamashita will take on Maki Itoh, known for her flamboyant style and high risk maneuvers. Night 2 will feature much of the local guest talent, such as Houston's own Kaylia Capri (Reality of Wrestling) vs Yuki Arai in a singles bout, and Austin's Vert Vixen teaming with reigning TJPW tag champ Hyper Misao. Other Texans slated to appear ar Maya World, Alejandra Quintanilla, and Billie Starkz.

    The last decade has seen a marked rise in the quality and prestige of women's wrestling in America, with WWE hosting all-women Royal Rumbles and stars like Rhea Ripley and "Timeless" Toni Storm becoming household names. Most major promotions now feature robust line-ups of Japanese women wrestlers, with some like Asuka and Iyo Sky becoming world champions.

    For Japan, women's wrestling has a more consistent history of legitimacy going back decades, and the talent pool there is vast. TJPW branching out into Texas tours gives them a chance to showcase their wrestlers in the land that spawned legends like The Undertaker, "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, and the Von Erich Family.

    "The response has been overwhelmingly positive," said the TJPW spokesperson. "Many who had never experienced joshi (women’s) wrestling before are discovering how entertaining, emotional, and uniquely captivating it is. Since announcing the Texas shows, we’ve received a flood of enthusiastic messages — not just from wrestling fans, but from people drawn to the theatricality, comedy, and creativity of TJPW. We've also heard from fans in other states asking us to bring the tour to their cities."

    news/sports

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