Justin Houston
Justin Donovan Houston is an American former professional football linebacker. He played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs, earning first-team All-American honors in 2010. Houston was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round of the 2011 NFL draft. A four-time Pro Bowl selection, he was also named to the All-Pro team in 2014. He also played for the Indianapolis Colts, Baltimore Ravens, Carolina Panthers and Miami Dolphins.
Early life
Houston attended Class AAAA Statesboro High School in Statesboro, Georgia, where he was a two-time All-Region selection and All-State honorable mention. He also played in three State Championships in 2003, 2004, and 2005. Statesboro won the State Championship in 2005, defeating Northside High School. He was teammates with fellow Georgia recruit DeAngelo Tyson.Regarded as a four-star recruit by Rivals.com, Houston was listed as the #11 weakside defensive end in the class of 2007.
College career
As a sophomore at the University of Georgia in 2009, Houston was a second-team All-SEC selection after recording 7.5 sacks. As a junior, Houston recorded 10 sacks, leading all linebackers in the SEC, and only second to Auburn's Nick Fairley who had 11.5 sacks as part of the defensive line, and was a first-team All-SEC selection and an All-American.Professional career
Pre-draft
On January 15, 2011, Houston announced his decision to forgo his senior season and enter the 2011 NFL draft. He attended the NFL Combine and performed all of the combine and positional drills. On April 26, 2011, it was reported that Houston had failed a drug test for marijuana that was administered at the NFL Combine. On March 22, 2011, Houston attended Georgia's pro day and opted to run the 40-yard dash, 20-yard dash, and 10-yard dash. He improved his times in all three drills and also performed positional drills during his pro day.Houston attended pre-draft visits with multiple teams, including the Baltimore Ravens, Kansas City Chiefs, New York Giants, New York Jets, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. At the conclusion of the pre-draft process, Houston was projected to be a second-round pick by NFL draft experts and scouts. He received a late first-round projection by NFL draft experts prior to his failed drug test. Houston was ranked as the fourth-best linebacker prospect in the draft by NFL analyst Gil Brandt and Sports Illustrated and was ranked as the fifth best linebacker by DraftScout.com.
Kansas City Chiefs
2011
The Kansas City Chiefs selected Houston in the third round of the 2011 NFL draft. He dropped to the third round after initially being projected as a late first-round pick due to a failed drug test at the NFL Combine. Houston was the ninth linebacker drafted in 2011.On April 4, 2011, the Kansas City Chiefs signed Houston to a four-year, $2.78 million contract that includes a signing bonus of $1.04 million. During training camp, Houston competed against veterans Andy Studebaker and Mike Vrabel to be a starting outside linebacker. Head coach Todd Haley named Houston a backup outside linebacker to begin the regular season, behind starting outside linebackers Andy Studebaker and Tamba Hali.
Houston made his NFL debut and first NFL start in the season-opener against the Buffalo Bills and made two solo tackles during their 41–7 loss. On September 13, 2011, Houston was promoted to starting outside linebacker after surpassing Andy Studebaker on the Chiefs’ depth chart. On December 4, 2011, Houston collected a season-high seven solo tackles and made a season-high three sacks on Bears’ quarterback Caleb Hanie during a 10–3 victory at the Chicago Bears in Week 13. Houston sacked Caleb Hanie for a nine-yard loss during the second quarter to mark the first of his career. On December 13, 2011, the Kansas City Chiefs fired head coach Todd Haley after they fell to a 5–8 record. Defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel was named the interim head coach for the remainder of the season. He finished his rookie season with 56 combined tackles, 5.5 sacks, four pass deflections, and a forced fumble in 16 games and ten starts. Houston received the Mack Lee Hill Award after teammates and coaches determined he was the best rookie on the Kansas City Chiefs in 2011.
2012
On January 9, 2012, the Chiefs officially promoted Romeo Crennel to head coach. Houston entered training camp slated as a starting weakside linebacker. Head coach Romeo Crennel named Houston and Tamba Hali the starting outside linebackers to begin the season. They started alongside inside linebackers Derrick Johnson and Jovan Belcher.On September 23, 2012, Houston made four combined tackles, a season-high three sacks, deflected two passes, and earned the first safety of his career during a 27–24 comeback overtime victory at the New Orleans Saints in Week 3. Houston sacked Saints’ quarterback Drew Brees for a seven-yard loss in the end zone for a safety during the fourth quarter. The play was challenged by the Saints and was upheld as the Kansas City Chiefs came back from an 18-point deficit. On October 14, 2012, Houston recorded three combined tackles, deflected a pass, and made his first career interception as the Chiefs lost 38–10 at the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Week 6. Houston intercepted a pass by Buccaneers’ quarterback Josh Freeman, that was intended for tight end Dallas Clark, and returned it for a 45-yard gain during the first quarter. In Week 17, he collected a season-high nine combined tackles in a 38–3 loss at the Denver Broncos. On December 31, 2012, the Kansas City Chiefs fired head coach Romeo Crennel after they finished the season with a 2–14 record. Houston started in all 16 games, recording 66 combined tackles, ten sacks, six pass deflections, one forced fumble, one interception, and a safety. On January 22, 2013, it was announced that Houston was selected to play in the 2013 Pro Bowl as a late replacement for Von Miller who was unable to play due to an injury. This became Houston's first Pro Bowl selection of his career as he joined fellow linebackers Derrick Johnson and Tamba Hali. He was ranked 49th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2013.
2013
On January 4, 2013, the Chiefs hired former Philadelphia Eagles' head coach Andy Reid to take over as head coach. On May 30, 2013, Houston was named the 49th best player in the NFL according to the NFL Top 100 Players of 2013 ranking, which is generated by the players. Defensive coordinator Bob Sutton retained Houston and Tamba Hali as the starting outside linebackers. They started alongside inside linebackers Derrick Johnson and Akeem Jordan.On September 19, 2013, Houston made seven combined tackles, deflected three passes, and made a season-high 4.5 sacks on Eagles’ quarterback Michael Vick during a 26–16 victory at the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 3. In Week 11, he collected a season-high ten combined tackles and deflected a pass as the Chiefs lost 27–17 at the Denver Broncos. In Week 12, Houston sustained an elbow injury during a 41–38 loss against the San Diego Chargers and remained inactive for the last five games of the season. On December 27, 2013, it was announced that Houston was selected to play in the 2014 Pro Bowl. He finished the 2013 NFL season with 44 combined tackles, 11 sacks, four pass deflections, and a forced fumble in 11 games and 11 starts.
The Chiefs finished second in the AFC West with an 11–5 record and earned a playoff berth. On January 4, 2014, Houston started in his first career playoff game and recorded four combined tackles, deflected a pass, and made one sack during a 45–44 loss at the Indianapolis Colts in the AFC Wildcard Game. He was ranked 57th by his fellow players on the NFL Top 100 Players of 2014.