‘Such a great spirit,’ inspirational Texans player Dylan Horton beats Stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma, returns to play again

HOUSTON – Hours before kickoff Sunday against the Buffalo Bills, Stacey Horton and Ron Horton couldn’t stop smiling. The parents were busting with pride after driving to Houston from Frisco to watch their son, Texans defensive end Dylan Horton, complete his inspirational victory over something much more daunting than any football opponent.

In remission from Stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma after being treated and ringing the bell at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Horton was activated from the reserve-non-football illness list and played in a game for the first time since he was diagnosed as a rookie last year.

“Oh my God, first of all, we want to give all glory and honor to our lord and savior, Jesus Christ and we just want to thank him for this amazing opportunity,” Stacey Horton told KPRC 2. “We’re so proud of Dylan, the fight he has shown, his determination. We are absolutely thrilled for him.”

Horton celebrated his return by chasing after Bills star quarterback Josh Allen during a 23-20 win at NRG Stadium. He played 15 snaps, 21 percent of the defensive playing time and recorded one tackle. His presence on the field one year after his rookie season ended prematurely when he was place on the non-football illness list was a win itself.

“I played football, and it was fun,” Horton said after the game inside the Texans’ locker room. “I had a great time, especially out there with my friends, my teammates, running around, making the plays we wanted to make and we needed to make as a defense.”

‘Such an inspiration,’ Texans’ Dylan Horton lifts team after celebrating final treatment for Stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma

‘What an awesome story,’ Texans’ Dylan Horton returns to practice, in remission from Stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma

Texans’ Dylan Horton, in remission from Stage 4 Hodgkin’s lymphoma, has final treatment, celebrates by ringing bell

For Horton, 24, a fourth-round draft pick last year from TCU, his journey from cancer patient to resuming his football career is one defined by perseverance and faith.

He tackled his battle with cancer like it was an opponent on the field, eventually ringing the bell to signify his remission.

Despite his circumstances, Horton didn’t give into self-pity. He maintained his positive attitude.

“I feel like it’s easy to reciprocate coming up the facility where everybody is positive,” Horton said. “It’s easy to reciprocate that energy and it’s always easy to spread positivity when it’s around you. I had my family, my friends around while I was going through everything. Especially coming to the facility, just having that routine, having those people around me who believed in me and just loving me.”

And to have his parents watching his moment of triumph was special for Horton.

“Man, it was beautiful,” Horton said. “They drove down. That’s what it’s all about. You play the game you love with the people in the stands who supported you all your life.”

When Texans coach DeMeco Ryans highlighted plays from the Texans’ win over the Bills, he made it a point to emphasize Horton’s contributions during a team meeting.

“Exciting to see Dylan, he stepped in, he sent the edge really well,” Ryans said. “He got after the quarterback. Dylan did a really nice job. I keep saying an awesome story, but he is an awesome young man and he is a pleasure to work with, pleasure to be around, such a great spirit.

“It is so encouraging and motivating to see him go out, missing as much time as he did, but he was still able to come in and affect the game. He made a really nice play where he set the edge, got off a block and made a physical tackle on the running backs. It was one of the first plays I showed the team and everybody just clapping for him, excited for Dylan.”

To toil away while no one was watching, not knowing when or if he’d play football again, it’s a testament to Horton’s commitment to the game.

“It’s very impressive, and it’s also a credit to the work that Dylan has put in,” Ryans said. “Nobody is checking for you, but you have to be committed to the work when nobody is watching. Dylan is definitely committed to the work, because we see the work that he put in by him stepping in, one week of practice and being able to go out and help us win the game. Credit to Dylan, credit to our sports performance staff for the work that they did along with him as well. It’s phenomenal to see the strides that he made.”

The Texans recognized Horton during a team meeting in the spring, drawing applause as his teammates stood behind him.

“Glory to God,” Horton wrote on Instagram with a video showing himself ringing the bell. “Final Treatment.”

“On December 1st, 2023, I was diagnosed with Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma,” Horton said in a statement in March. “Through God’s grace, I’m blessed to say that I’m currently in remission! I am grateful for the love from my family and friends, and support from the Texans organization and my doctors. My next objective is to complete my treatments, then get back to playing the game that I love. Thank you for your prayers and support as I continue this journey.”

• Texans defensive end Dylan Horton in remission after diagnosis of Stage 4 Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, hopes to play again

Horton played in 10 games for the AFC South champions. He recorded 13 tackles, one for a loss and two quarterback hits.

“I was happy to have him in our team meeting this morning and highlight him,” Ryans said. “All the guys were clapping for him, and you see the support that he has, all of them. All of the guys that were around him, praying for him, pulling for him, encouraging him along the way.

“That is what life is all about. We get to do football for a living but when real life hits you as something as serious as that and to see a young man overcome it at such a young age, I couldn’t be more proud of him and what he has accomplished. To see him ring that bell was the exciting moment for everyone.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com