Texans have a new Hall of Famer, but it isn't a player

The Houston Texans announced Tuesday that their beloved mascot, TORO, has been inducted into the Mascot Hall of Fame as part of the Class of 2025. TORO joins an elite group of 33 mascots recognized for excellence across collegiate, professional, and independent sports. The Texans plan to honor TORO’s achievement with an enshrinement ceremony during halftime at a home game this season, according to the team’s official website. Since debuting in 2001, TORO has become a fixture at Texans games and in the Houston community, making more than 400 appearances annually and amassing a social media following of 1.5 million. His accolades include being named the 2020 NFL Mascot of the Year, a title awarded for his adaptability and innovation during the pandemic season, which included pioneering virtual classroom visits for nearly 10,000 students. TORO is also an 11-time Pro Bowler and has received honors such as NFL Mascot Anchor in the Community (2020), NFL Mascot Stunt of the Year (2016, 2022), NFL Mascot Video of th