How Texans linebacker Henry To’oTo’o approaches fourth NFL season, leadership role: ‘Not a lot of guys make it this far’

How Texans linebacker Henry TooToo approaches fourth NFL season, leadership role: Not a lot of guys make it this far Texans veteran linebacker Henry To'oTo'o has made steady progress heading into his fourth NFL season How Texans linebacker Henry TooToo approaches fourth NFL season, leadership role: Not a lot of guys make it this far, KPRC 2 Houston Texans ReporterBuffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen is sacked by Houston Texans linebacker Henry To'oTo'o in the second half of an NFL football game Thursday, Nov.

20, 2025, in Houston.

Henry TooToo takes time to reflect frequently, looking back at his growth from his rookie year to now as a veteran starting linebacker.

The average NFL career typically comes to a screeching halt after three seasons.

TooToo has exceeded that as he heads into the final year of his rookie contract as an established contributor.TooToo, 25, starting next to Pro Bowl middle linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, has piled up 261 career tackles, 18 for losses, two forced fumbles and one interception with four sacks.

He has emerged as a key figure in an elite defense, especially after the season-ending torn quadriceps suffered by third linebacker E.J.

Speed.

Sometimes, TooToo has to remind himself hes a veteran counted on for leadership for the younger guys.Its a little weird, like a lot at first, but, man, its such a blessing, TooToo said during teammate Kamari Lassiters celebrity softball game.

Not a lot of guys are able to make it this far in your career, like its only year four, but not a lot of guys make it that far.Being able to be where I am and helping the younger guys, and whatever knowledge that I have that I gained for these last three years, I try my best to give it to them as much as I can.Obviously, Im still learning, I still pick stuff from Azeez, and I pick his brain still to this day, but its pretty cool to see the younger guys ask me questions how I used to, three years ago.

Man, its just a blessing to be able to help other guys to prolong their career.

In 46 games and 35 starts, the 6-foot-2, 228-pound former Alabama standout has been striving for a stronger degree of consistency.With the exception of a few games last year hed like to have back, TooToo is coming off a strong season.

He recorded 95 tackles, second-most on the Texans top-ranked defense behind Al-Shaair, with a career-high 2 1/2 sacks and nine tackles for losses with four quarterback hits.

The individual statistics are nice, but TooToo and the Texans have built a standard with three consecutive playoff seasons and a much larger goal after three divisional round losses.Theyre chasing a championship.My main goal is the Super Bowl, if Im being honest, TooToo said.

Obviously, I have my own personal goals, but, first and foremost, is to bring home a Super Bowl for the city of Houston.

That comes first and obviously all the personal accolades will come by itself.My main goal is bringing the city of Houston a Super Bowl.

Thats what you play the game for.

Every time we put this uniform on and set foot on the grass, if youre not coming out to win, if youre not coming out to be a champion, then youre not doing it for the right reason.

I think we all understand that.I always think about that, TooToo said.I look at myself now and how much I care for the game now, how much I love the game now, how much I understand, how much I study, how much I put into my body, my body has changed tremendously from Year One to Year Four.

I honestly just tell myself, How much do you really love the game, and how much time are you able to devote to this game? Because this game is so short, and theres only such a small window, so.

So younger Henry, how much do you love the game? TooToo led the team with a dozen tackles in a victory over the Los Angeles Chargers.

He overcame a tough game against Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Ashton Jeanty, who had 188 all-purpose yards, including a 60-yard touchdown in single coverage against TooToo and 128 rushing yards.And TooToo rebounded from a missed tackle on quarterback Baker Mayfield on a pivotal fourth down situation in a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The way that TooToo played against the Chargers, doing an outstanding job, in the words of coach DeMeco Ryans, is how he wants to perform every week.Man, it meant a lot, TooToo told KPRC 2 last season.

I feel like that was just a good confidence-builder for me, tackling-wise.

I think that was an area that I needed to improve on.

And I feel like Ive been on the upward line as the season went on.Thats what we get paid to do and Ive been working on that my whole life.

TooToo has been mentoring rookie linebackers Wade Woodaz and Aiden Fisher, who were drafted this spring.

And he and his wife, Cheyenne, held a community pop-up event recently at Two Tone Coffee in Houston.

They held a meet-and-greet to support his charitable foundation via limited edition apparel sales and photos.They personally took orders and served drinks from a crowd of fans.Man, it was great, TooToo said.

Big shout-out to Two Tone, great company, great organization, everybody go try it.

When we first put it out, I was like, Damn, aint nobody gonna show up.

I hope at least 15 people show up, and then, like, the whole city of Houston showed up.They were wrapped around the block, but it was such a great event.

Great people, I love the people, love Houston, and I tell people all the time, its been like my second home.

Its been huge for me.

He has covered the NFL since 1997, including previous stints for The Houston Chronicle and The Baltimore Sun.

This marks his 10th year covering the Texans after previously covering a Super Bowl winning team in Baltimore.

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