Houston Texans: Toro 2.0: Why a die-hard super fan needs your help

As hard as the Houston Texans work on the gridiron to do battle each and every game, one of the team’s most devoted super fans is undergoing a battle of his own.

As the Houston Texans do so each and every game, we all face some type of adversity. It’s how we respond to those challenges that makes us who we are. It’s never easy but we all eventually find a way to lift ourselves from the bootstraps and march toward the goal.

Speaking of this notion, the Houston Texans’ best super fan has a personal bout of his own. You may have seen him during the game day festivities donned in full pads with a signature, custom-made mask that will ensure you’ll never forget who he is.

But under that brawny exterior lies a man that’s just about as caring and humble as one could be.

Who am I talking about? I’m referring to Pepe Garza, a great friend of mine who has a notable and colorful transition to his alter ego — Toro 2.0 — on game day. He’s truly the life of the tailgate and has the type of personality that invigorates one another.

Here’s a picture I took with him when we did a road trip up to Arrowhead Stadium when the Texans faced the Chiefs back in 2013. I had my gear on too:

10/20/2013 — Arrowhead Stadium — ToroTwoPointO & I at our seats ready for battle!#HoustonTexans #GoTexans…

Posted by Brian Patterson on Monday, October 21, 2013

I’ve known Pepe over the course of the past two decades — he’s also a long-time co-worker at my day job — and he truly is the genuine article, always available to lend a helping hand to those who need it. Whenever he has time in his busy schedule, he’s active at charity events put on by our beloved team as well as pitching in when he can at the local Ronald McDonald House location here in H-Town or in Galveston.

Here’s another pic from a Super Fan event held at the Houston Texans Grille to benefit breast cancer about a year ago to date:

Posted by Barkley Flamenco on Wednesday, January 3, 2018

Hell, I’ve even seen this guy dressed up in Santa Claus suit during the holidays at various events to help turn frowns into smiles. That’s what he does and I wouldn’t expect anything less out of him.

I can attest to many occasions at work where although I could see the weariness in his eyes, he still managed to come to work and keep an infectious smile on his face when I’d go over to get my daily fist bump at his desk. If the time would permit, we’d usually engage in a friendly debate about whatever the hell is going on with the Houston Texans.

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We’ve already had some terrific conversation about the team inking Brian Gaine and Bill O’Brien to long-term deals as the general manager and head coach respectively as well.

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Benevolence is an integral part of his character but he now needs that altruism toward his way. Through the past year, Pepe has had a tremendous bout with colon cancer and has been undergoing chemotherapy treatments as a result. He’s as tough-as-nails and I know he will pull through this.

However, the immense amount of the cost for the treatment has caused his medical bills to mount.

With the time he has been away from work, this has caused a massive amount of hardship on himself as he’s working hard to be victorious from this unfortunate test of mettle.

A GoFundMe account has been established in his namesake, take a look at it here:

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If you can give $1 or even $5, whatever you can, donate to a cause — that will certainly help a die-hard Texans’ fan that’s true to the heart — to help eradicate his ailment, an unexpected and unwanted visitor that has popped into his life.

Next: Texans: Eval of the 2017 offense by position with an outlook

It would be greatly appreciated and I guarantee that you’ll be making a difference in a life that’s so precious to many, including myself.

Go Texans.

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