'That's J.J.'s Number': Danielle Hunter Pays Homage To Texans Legend, Changes Number
HOUSTON -- Danielle Hunter is making changes.
He's trading in the cold weather of Minneapolis for the scorching heat of Houston. He's saying goodbye to the Minnesota Vikings, his only home in the NFL, to return to his hometown team, the Houston Texans.
And he's switching up his wardrobe. Since being drafted out of LSU, the four-time Pro Bowler has don No. 99. It was his high school number at Katy Morton Ranch, where he transformed into one of the city's top players.
It's also the number of Texans' legend and three-time Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt. It'll stay Watt's number until the end of time, too.
“Man, 99, that’s J.J.’s number,” Hunter said during his introductory press conference Thursday. “He’s done a lot with that number. I’m not going to mess with it. To be able to do what he’s done with that number for the community and the Texans, I’ll just leave that number to him."
What number will the newest addition to the Texans' defensive line don instead?
"I’ve decided to possibly go with No. 55," said Hunter.
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Houston was always on Hunter's radar, who officially came to terms on a two-year, $49 million contract Thursday worth up to $51 million. Over the years, family and friends had brought up the idea of him returning closer to home to play in front of those who missed him most.
But the timing had to be right. After Minnesota was eliminated from the playoffs, Hunter returned home and decided to watch Houston's AFC Wild-Card Round matchup against the Cleveland Browns last January. He noticed the sounds of the crowd erupting as C.J. Stroud tossed three touchdowns to secure the franchise's first playoff win in four years.
"I liked what I saw there, and just the home feeling and how the guys were on the field, playing together for each other how they stormed the ball on defense," said Hunter. "That was a big part of it, so I'm excited about that.”
Another big part of his decision was playing for Ryans, who spent his first six seasons as a member of the Texans. Hunter's family moved to Houston from Jamacia when he was eight. He grew up watching his head coach headhunt quarterbacks alongside Pro Bowl defensive end Mario Williams, a player he tries to model his game after.
"He understands players and having them be able to go out there and play for each other as one unit," Hunter said of Ryans. "He brings in the family aspect of playing football. It's not an individual sport. You've got to go out there and play for each other."
Back home, Hunter hopes to bring the same fire as the Texans he grew up watching to a new franchise set on winning its first Super Bowl in the coming years. The Texans expect great things from the 29-year-old opposite Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson Jr.
Hunter dominated offensive tackles in 2023, recording a career-high 16.5 sacks and a league-leading 23 tackles for loss. Since entering the NFL in 2015 as a third-round pick, Hunter has recorded five double-digit sacks seasons, including back-to-back years in 2022-23.
“Just being able to just go after the quarterback," said Hunter. "The Texans showed that they were able to do it, and that's been in my DNA since I came into the NFL, and I'm happy to be able to go out there and play for my teammates and bring that to the table.”
Anderson, who broke Willams and Watt's rookie sack record with seven quarterback hits, goes by the nickname 'Area 51' because of his jersey number. Fans won't have to come up with a No. 55 pseudonym for Hunter, who's gone by everything from 'He-Man' to 'Vortex.'
His favorite nickname? Gumby, the name of the claymation cartoon that was "before his time." His former defensive line coach Andre Patterson gave him it while as a rookie in Minnesota.
He now brings that flexibilty and terror to NRG Stadium. He brings the aura of power back to his hometown.
"It's an honor to be able to come back and play in front of my family and all the people that I grew up with," said Hunter. "I know they've been pretty excited about the news lately. They'll finally be able to come to a game and see me play."
