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The Most Popular Athlete in Houston


It's an old football cliche that the backup quarterback is always the most popular guy in town. Texans fans will remember Sage Rosenfels as a guy who was pretty popular as the backup. Ryan Mallett was more popular when he was the backup than he was after he actually started a couple games. There are exceptions to the rule, of course. Nobody ever wants to see Aaron Rodgers backup, except the opposing team. But with Tom Savage currently at the top of the Texans depth chart, does first round draft pick Deshaun Watson fulfill the cliche as the backup who is the most popular guy in town?

Watson is a proven winner at the college level. He's lit up the top college defenses, won a national championship, and even graduated in 3 years. He is already the most athletic quarterback the Texans have ever had, and the only first round QB since David Carr. Watson is the bright, shining hope rising out of the Pandora's box of Texans quarterbacks. Many people in the national media considered Houston a quarterback away from the Super Bowl last season, and Watson just might be that final piece of the puzzle.

A year ago, such a question would be ridiculous. Asinine, even. J.J. Watt was by far the most popular guy in Houston, and may be most popular still. But the Texans defense still carried the team without the 3 time defensive player of the year last season. They more than carried it, they dragged along the anchor of the worst quarterback in the league, and still made it to the sunny shores of the playoffs - even gave the eventual champions a tougher game than they faced in the AFC championship. Sports is a "what have you done for me lately" business, and while Watt's star still shines, it isn't quite as bright if you look closely. But let's give credit where it's due - you still have to wear pretty dark sunglasses to look at Watt's star.

There are candidates in other sports. James Harden just completed an MVP-worthy season, even if he did turn into a pumpkin as the clock stuck midnight on the Rockets playoff run. He carried a team of role players in a league where other teams have needed up to 3 all-stars to contend. His style of play might be ugly at times, but it's our ugly, and we love it when he turns "you reach, I teach" into reality, rather than just trash talk. Plus who doesn't love that beard?

Speaking of beards, the Astros have a former Cy Young winning pitcher with a pretty impressive beard. Dallas Keuchel has more wins than anybody so far this season, and the Astros have the best record in the league. They are 3 games up on the next best team - the Yankees, who they just took 3 out of 4 from in New York. And Keuchel probably isn't the most popular Astro. I'd give that title to Jose Altuve, who was an MVP candidate himself last season, winning his second AL batting title, and tying for second in stolen bases. Basically, if you don't like Altuve, you don't like baseball.

So where does Deshaun Watson rank among Houston's most popular athletes? Does Houston's recent drought at the quarterback position make him a hero before he even plays a game? Vote below for Houston's most popular athlete.

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