How Woody Marks gives back through bowling, sets big goal for Texans: ‘Bull on the ring, be the first’

HOUSTON – Inside the bowling alley, Woody Marks sized up the pins, lined up his feet and followed through with a powerful delivery.

The Texans running back almost knocked down every pin during his first annual charity bowling tournament Sunday night at Lucky Strike as his charitable foundation raised money to benefit youth in Houston and Atlanta.

Toro was in the house and rolled a strike on his first try, drawing a lot of applause.

“It’s been a great event, just seeing everybody smile in the community,” Marks told KPRC 2. “Just being one year here, just seeing a lot of people come out and be happy. That’s what we do. That’s why we’re here.”

Marks was joined by his family, including his mother and brother, and his manager along with teammate David Montgomery, Montgomery and Marks are forming a new-look Texans backfield after Montgomery was acquired in an offseason trade from the Detroit Lions.

“Family is everything,” Marks said. “David, we hang out a lot. He’s been around this whole weekend.”

Marks grew up going to the bowling alley in Georgia that his brother worked for.

He’s having a Texans customized bowling ball designed now. The custom ball will have his picture on it and his uniform.

“Got a lot of pin action,” he said."

A fourth-round draft pick last year from USC who led the Texans in rushing yards, Marks became inspired to pursue football while growing up in Atlanta when he met Falcons star linebacker Jesse Tuggle.

“I looked up to him, and it just made me want to go even more,” Marks said. “Jesse Tuggle was a great football player.”

The Texans have made the playoffs and reached the AFC divisional round each of the past three seasons. They’re 0-7 all-time at that stage of the postseason and haven’t shied away from high expectations entering this season. They’re talking Super Bowl.

“It’s a nice schedule, got a lot of primetime games, big-time games,” Marks said. “We’re just ready to kick it off. We’re going to see what we get to. The thing is to get a bull on the ring, be the first team. That’s what we’re going to do this year.”

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