Anderson Jr. Visits Ellington, Meets Air Guard
The Texans player toured Joint Reserve Base Ellington ahead of Veterans Day after last year's visit was canceled by a government shutdown.
Updated on Nov. 11, 2026 in Football
Houston Texans player Will Anderson Jr. toured Joint Reserve Base Ellington on Tuesday and met dozens of Air National Guard members. The visit had been planned for last year but was canceled by the government shutdown.
Why it matters
The visit connects a professional football team with the military personnel stationed in the Houston area ahead of Veterans Day. It also highlights how local service members follow the team during games.
Anderson tried on gear weighing 75 pounds during the tour of the 147th Attack Wing operation. The extraction does not indicate whether similar appearances are scheduled for other units.
The players
Will Anderson Jr.
A defensive player for the Houston Texans who made a public appearance to honor military service members.
Joint Reserve Base Ellington
A military installation in southeast Houston that hosts the 147th Attack Wing of the Texas Air National Guard.
The details
The tour began with a presentation on the history of Ellington Field and the 147th Attack Wing before moving to a hangar where different units gave demonstrations. Anderson sat in the pilot's chair at a ground control station where local unmanned flights are conducted, and he autographed items and took photos with service members who asked.
Timeline
Last year: The planned visit was canceled by a government shutdown.
Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026: Anderson toured the base ahead of Veterans Day.
Season Trajectory
The appearance follows last year's canceled visit, which the government shutdown prevented from taking place. It shows the team carrying a tradition of military outreach into the current season.
Fans can watch the Texans on Saturdays and Sundays, and service members at the base follow those games in an operations center. The appearance adds a local dimension to the team's relationship with the military community.
The takeaway
Public appearances like this one can strengthen ties between a professional team and the service members who support its local community. The visit that was canceled last year shows how scheduling disruptions can delay such outreach.
Further reading
For more on the team's season, see Houston Football.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Houston Chronicle.
