History
Watt, Wagner and Ching inducted into Houston Sports Hall of Fame
Tuesday’s ceremony honored three athletes associated with Houston’s NFL, MLB and MLS teams.
J.J. Watt, Billy Wagner and Brian Ching were inducted into the Houston Sports Hall of Fame Tuesday at Le Tesserae, joining the institution’s Class of 2026. The ceremony recognized their careers with Houston’s football, baseball and soccer teams.
The inductees received Hall of Fame jackets and rings, and their bronze plaques were unveiled before installation along the Houston Sports Walk of Fame at GreenStreet, according to local coverage and the Sports Authority Foundation.
Watt spent 10 seasons with the Texans, earned three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards and set the franchise record with 101 sacks. Wagner finished his major-league career with 422 saves and entered the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2025.
Ching was an original Houston Dynamo player and helped the club win consecutive MLS Cups in 2006 and 2007. The Houston Sports Hall of Fame, established in 2018, recognizes athletes and other sporting figures who built their careers in the city or call Houston home.
