Houston Texans: An open letter to linebacker Brian Cushing

With the Houston Texans news of Brian Cushing’s suspension for 10 games because of PEDs, the fan base is frustrated.

While dealing with issues elsewhere, this comes at a bad time. Every fan might feel the same way, but only a few might express it. As a Houston Texans fan, I have never criticized a player openly in public or online (other than Brock Osweiler).

I am a dedicated fan of every sports team with dreams of seeing a championship happen live in my lifetime. But with the recent events happening, I start to question whether my expectations have been tampered with by a negative dose of reality. Ultimately, what Brian Cushing did was the last straw. So I decided to write this letter to him. I hate the things I’ll say, but I have to let it out.

Dear Brian,

You came to Houston from USC, a program with national championships taken away through no fault of your own. You arrive in Houston and win Rookie of the Year despite being caught for performance enhancing drugs. By the way, your excuse was pathetic.

Over time, you grew onto us like we grew onto you. We cheered for you when you made big tackles. We liked that you headbutted a guy with no helmet and had blood trickle down. Our fondness for you grew as you became a family man off the field and a leader on the field. It hurt us when you were lost for the season… twice! Still, you became a big part of the Houston Texans organization. You were a Mt. Rushmore for the team along with J.J. Watt, Andre Johnson, and Duane Brown.

A few weeks ago, you said that you would do anything to help heal the city of Houston after going through Harvey. We expected and still do expect great things from the organization. Yet you get smacked against Jacksonville, which broke our hearts because we have paranoid fans worried that their chance at a Super Bowl will never come.

Then, this comes out.

I think I can say what everyone was probably thinking when the news first broke?

WHAT THE HECK WERE YOU THINKING?

It’s been over a decade since you last got caught and now you have to sit out 10 games. Good job man! Good job! You pretty much added to the level of frustration for all of us by doing what you did. Unbelievable man!

This was supposed to be a solid year for us. I don’t think it will lead to a Super Bowl win. Not yet anyway. But if God was kind, he would allow us a chance to get to a Super Bowl and win. But that’s not why we’re angry.

We’re angry because you promised that you would help the city heal. You basically decided to dedicate the season and show how hard the Texans will play. Despite a bad start, we still believe. We’re looking up to you to help the city out of the aftermath of Harvey. Now you’re telling us that for whatever reason, you had to take an illegal substance just to help yourself on the field.

I don’t know what to think.

What Do I Think?

Brian, you’re not a fraud. You’re not a phony. You are a tough SOB. But also, you’re just plain dumb right now.

Let’s be fair here man! This city needs healing. I said that y’all would be an escape and right now, this organization is not helping our cause. We got a coach who can’t decide what quarterbacks to use properly. Our best lineman is not there because of a stupid holdout. We got a game against Cincinnati, which to be honest, I’ll be surprised if we win. We lost there and then we’ll be 0-3 after New England. I hate being a doubter, but that’s what I feel.

Rather than think about the team and what’s going on, you decide to be selfish and get busted for the second time.

Your Train of Thought

Okay! Maybe I’m being harsh here. Let’s think about what you might be feeling. I don’t think you would do it because it’s consistent. I think you would do it because you care about us. You’ve dealt with season-ending injuries before. You want to be on the football field. If not 100%, then close to it you’ll play.

You want to win a Super Bowl for Houston. You want to compete and you want to be a light for Houston. It’s tough because we’re getting so close and yet it feels so far away. You want to give this city what it desperately needs. The talent in the locker room may not be the best talent in the NFL, but it might win. Still, you want to be there.

But why? Why do what you got caught doing?

You don’t want to end up like Art Schlichter, who got banned for gambling. I hate to see you be like Stanley Wilson, who got banned the night before the Bengals lost in Super Bowl XXIII. You’re better than that.

What Could Happen?

This will probably sting you for a while. You’re going to miss ten games and right now, this season is up in the air. It’s either going to come down to two options, which both won’t be pretty for you.

More from House of Houston

The Texans’ defense continues to be dominant and lead the league in almost every defensive category. Houston makes the playoffs and we have a run to the AFC Title game or the Super Bowl. That would mean fans would say we really didn’t need you this year.
The Texans’ defense struggles and leads to a losing season. Coach Bill O’Brien gets fired and another rebuilding year could be coming. Fans will say a big reason why is because of your dumb decision.

I don’t want either one to take place. If option 1 happens, it’s because we had a good team. Option 2 occurs, then the coaching staff did not do a good job. True fans know that and Brian, it doesn’t need to be.

When you do come back, you have to redeem yourself big time. You got fans that are on the trigger ready to fire if all goes bad. You still have a chance to have fans forgive you.

I haven’t decided on whether I forgive you yet or not. But I will say you can earn that forgiveness.

Conclusion

At the end of the day, the only people we can blame is ourselves. We’ve applied so much pressure in winning a championship for Houston that it’s gotten to a level of desperation. It doesn’t need to be. Sometimes we need to take a step back and look ourselves in the mirror.

Are we okay as Houston Sports fans? Do we really want a title badly? Should we need to respond to every criticism given to us from people who care for us because of Harvey? Answers will vary.

Perhaps there’s a better way to win it all on all sides. We just haven’t figured it out yet. Brian, this city is resilient. This city is willing to forgive and forget. But you have to earn that respect back.

Next: Three things Cushing didn't say about suspension

You come back and you play like we know you can play as well as being the man you were before this happened, everyone will know why we’re #HoustonStrong. We’ll see you in 11 weeks.

Sincerely,

A Texans Fan

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