HOUSTON – Henry To’oTo’o takes time to reflect frequently, looking back at his growth from his rookie year to now as a veteran starting linebacker.
The average NFL career typically comes to a screeching halt after three seasons. To’oTo’o has exceeded that as he heads into the final year of his rookie contract as an established contributor.
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To’oTo’o, 25, starting next to Pro Bowl middle linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, has piled up 261 career tackles, 18 for losses, two forced fumbles and one interception with four sacks. He has emerged as a key figure in an elite defense, especially after the season-ending torn quadriceps suffered by third linebacker E.J. Speed. Sometimes, To’oTo’o has to remind himself he’s a veteran counted on for leadership for the younger guys.
“It’s a little weird, like a lot at first, but, man, it’s such a blessing,” To’oTo’o said during teammate Kamari Lassiter’s celebrity softball game. “Not a lot of guys are able to make it this far in your career, like it’s only year four, but not a lot of guys make it that far. Being able to be where I am and helping the younger guys, and whatever knowledge that I have that I gained for these last three years, I try my best to give it to them as much as I can.
“Obviously, I’m still learning, I still pick stuff from Azeez, and I pick his brain still to this day, but it’s pretty cool to see the younger guys ask me questions how I used to, three years ago. Man, it’s just a blessing to be able to help other guys to prolong their career.”
In 46 games and 35 starts, the 6-foot-2, 228-pound former Alabama standout has been striving for a stronger degree of consistency. With the exception of a few games last year he’d like to have back, To’oTo’o is coming off a strong season. He recorded 95 tackles, second-most on the Texans’ top-ranked defense behind Al-Shaair, with a career-high 2 1/2 sacks and nine tackles for losses with four quarterback hits.
The individual statistics are nice, but To’oTo’o and the Texans have built a standard with three consecutive playoff seasons and a much larger goal after three divisional round losses. They’re chasing a championship.
“My main goal is the Super Bowl, if I’m being honest,” To’oTo’o said. “Obviously, I have my own personal goals, but, first and foremost, is to bring home a Super Bowl for the city of Houston. That comes first and obviously all the personal accolades will come by itself.
“My main goal is bringing the city of Houston a Super Bowl. That’s what you play the game for. Every time we put this uniform on and set foot on the grass, if you’re not coming out to win, if you’re not coming out to be a champion, then you’re not doing it for the right reason. I think we all understand that.”
What would To’oTo’o say to himself as a rookie?
“I always think about that,” To’oTo’o said. “I look at myself now and how much I care for the game now, how much I love the game now, how much I understand, how much I study, how much I put into my body, my body has changed tremendously from Year One to Year Four.
“I honestly just tell myself, ‘How much do you really love the game, and how much time are you able to devote to this game?’ Because this game is so short, and there’s only such a small window, so. So ‘younger Henry, how much do you love the game?’”
To’oTo’o led the team with a dozen tackles in a victory over the Los Angeles Chargers. He overcame a tough game against Las Vegas Raiders rookie running back Ashton Jeanty, who had 188 all-purpose yards, including a 60-yard touchdown in single coverage against To’oTo’o and 128 rushing yards. And To’oTo’o rebounded from a missed tackle on quarterback Baker Mayfield on a pivotal fourth down situation in a loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The way that To’oTo’o played against the Chargers, doing an “outstanding job,” in the words of coach DeMeco Ryans, is how he wants to perform every week.
“Man, it meant a lot,” To’o’To’o told KPRC 2 last season. “I feel like that was just a good confidence-builder for me, tackling-wise. I think that was an area that I needed to improve on. And I feel like I’ve been on the upward line as the season went on. That’s what we get paid to do and I’ve been working on that my whole life.”
To’oTo’o has been mentoring rookie linebackers Wade Woodaz and Aiden Fisher, who were drafted this spring.
And he and his wife, Cheyenne, held a community pop-up event recently at Two Tone Coffee in Houston. They held a meet-and-greet to support his charitable foundation via limited edition apparel sales and photos. They personally took orders and served drinks from a crowd of fans.
“Man, it was great,” To’oTo’o said. “Big shout-out to Two Tone, great company, great organization, everybody go try it. When we first put it out, I was like, ‘Damn, ain’t nobody gonna show up. I hope at least 15 people show up,’ and then, like, the whole city of Houston showed up.
“They were wrapped around the block, but it was such a great event. Great people, I love the people, love Houston, and I tell people all the time, it’s been like my second home. It’s been huge for me.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com