Houston Texans receiver DeAndre Hopkins doesn’t play football for other people’s opinions, nor does he watch television or listen to the media. The first-team All-Pro jams the signal coming from outside influences.
However, if there is one person who can find a way to put more pressure on the three-time Pro Bowler, it is his mother.
“She feels like I can be better,” Hopkins told reporters Wednesday at Houston Methodist Training Center. “She talks junk to me, even if it’s a good game I have or something I did, she’s always pushing me to be better.”
Hopkins tied inaugural Texans Ring of Honor inductee Andre Johnson for the most single-season receptions in club history with 115. However, that may not be enough to satisfy Hopkins’ mother. Certainly it wasn’t enough to help the Texans achieve a first-round bye and give them a jump start in their playoff run by playing their first game in the divisional round at NRG Stadium.
For the former 2013 first-round pick from Clemson, he is only doing what successful people the world over do, and that is to surround himself with voices who want what he wants at the end of the day.
“I put a lot of pressure on myself, but I have people around me that put more pressure for me to do better and push myself,” Hopkins said.
Hopkins doesn’t just play for his own personal satisfaction. Even though he is arguably the best receiver in the NFL, even though he is the only offensive player a part of the four-man 99 club on Madden NFL 20, the 6-1, 212-pound wideout has another purpose for why he pushes himself so relentlessly.
“I play for my family and my teammates,” Hopkins said.
The Texans achieved an 11-5 record with Hopkins playing for his teammates and his family. If he is able to generate more production from the pressure from his mother, then the Texans have a great shot to defend their AFC South title.
