Characters In the Backfield

Arian Foster gets the start, but Lion King-loving Ben Tate lands the SportsIllustrated spotlight

Ben Tate doesn't just have breakaway speed.
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com
He has the Lion KIng 3D cred.
Arian Foster
Photo by © Michelle Watson/CatchLightGroup.com

Arian Foster will start against the Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday and get as much action as his beaten-up hamstring allows. But Foster's backup, Ben Tate, is hardly fading away.

Tate's even receiving some play in the latest issue of Sports Illustrated, getting spotlighted in the magazine's Pop Culture Grid. This is the feature where the sports bible asks four athletes a series of non-sports questions and compares their answers. As usual, Tate — the guy who teammate Antonio Smith's dubbed Big Head Ben in an attempt to keep a tailback who's run for 301 yards in his first three career NFL games humble — comes across as quite the character.

Tate reveals everything from the name of his fantasy football team ("Tate's Terrors" — no ego there) to his opinion on what the next '80s film remake should be ("Scarface" — what, did you really think he was going to say Dirty Dancing?)to his favorite Modern Family character ("Never watched it" — this might cause some angst with those suffering from White People Problems, which is pretty much anyone who's a fan of Modern Family). He also says that the athlete who deserves a roast is Texans all-everything receiver Andre Johnson.

But Tate's most interesting response comes when the 23-year-old is asked to complete the sentence "The Lion King 3D is. . ." Tate's answer? "Awesome, when I watch it."

It's not a surprise really that a second-year NFL player loves The Lion King. Everyone in the CultureMap office under the age of 28 seems to think that The Lion King is one of cinema's greatest masterpieces. It's a generational thing. But in a grid that also includes 16-year-old pro golfer Lexi Thompson, Detroit Red Wings forward Danny Cleary and Arizona Diamondbacks ace Ian Kennedy, the Texans tailback comes across as the biggest personality of the bunch (though Kennedy gives Tate a run for it).

It's Foster's status as the Texans' most out-there-character that could be challenged by his fellow tailback.

When SI asked all four if Brad Pitt makes a believable general manager in the movie Moneyball, Thompson, Cleary and Kennedy all give serious, predictable answers. Tate? He shoots back: "I'd prefer Angelina Jolie."

Foster had better watch out. Not about his starting job. That's his as long as his hamstring lets him be last year's difference maker. No, it's Foster's status as the Texans' most out-there-character that could be challenged by his fellow tailback.

Of course, Foster isn't going to give anything up easily. One of his tweets this week? "I'll tap dance for you now. But lend me your ear later Van Gogh, I promise it'll be worth your time." No context or relevance provided. That's Arian being Arian.

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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