The Houston Texans' beloved mascot, Toro, has officially been granted a spot in the National Mascot Hall of Fame, joining an elite group of 33 other cherished mascots. This induction comes after Toro received an overwhelming number of votes from both the Hall of Fame’s executive committee and from the public. "We are so proud to have Toro inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame and we share this recognition with Texans fans everywhere," said Andrew Johnson, Texans senior mascot program manager, in a statement obtained by CW39. Johnson lauded Houston's community for shaping Toro's identity, and the Texans are set to honor their mascot with a halftime enshrinement ceremony during a forthcoming home game.
Yet behind the costume's acrobatic stunts and sideline antics is Andrew Johnson, who embodies the Toro character with gusto. While Johnson may understate his role to strangers, calling it part of the game presentation crew, his commitment to the mascot extends well past simply donning a fuzzy blue outfit. According to a Houston Chronicle interview, Johnson shared that "to have their respect for what we built here in Houston means a lot," emphasizing the importance of peer acknowledgment in the mascot community.
Johnson's journey to becoming Toro is nothing short of dedicated effort. Inspired by Kansas City's K.C. Wolf, who holds a spot in the Mascot Hall of Fame, Johnson took every opportunity to perfect his craft, from high school gigs to becoming K.C. Wolf's backup and later the primary mascot, Victor E. Green, for the Dallas Stars. It was only after Jonathan Frost retired as Toro in 2015 that Johnson took on the high-flying stunts Toro is known for, becoming a central figure in Texans' games and a year-round presence at nearly 400 events.
Andrew Johnson, now entering his 11th year as Toro, expressed a particular fondness for the school programs, mirroring the event that inspired his own career. "The school programs for me, it’s a full-circle moment," Johnson told the Houston Chronicle. Having built Toro's social media following to more than 2.5 million, Johnson's contribution to the Texan's fan experience and his influence on future mascots are now immortalized in his Hall of Fame induction.
