Metchie’s first NFL score is a powerful comeback story Texans fans won’t forget.
Sep 29, 2024; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans wide receiver John Metchie III (8) during the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
John Metchie III once faced the real possibility of never playing football again. But on Sunday, in the first half of the Houston Texans’ game against the Detroit Lions, the wide receiver scored his first NFL touchdown.
With just 12 seconds left in the second quarter, C.J. Stroud delivered a 15-yard pass to Metchie, pushing the Texans to a 23-7 lead.
That touchdown marked the peak of Metchie’s relentless journey back to the sport. In 2022, he shared his diagnosis of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), a rare blood cancer, after being selected by the Texans in the second round of that year’s draft. Against the odds, Metchie fought his way back to the NFL over the next two years.
Heading into Sunday’s game, he had appeared in 22 games, racking up 20 catches for 194 yards. Finally reaching the end zone was a powerful moment, especially considering where he was just two years back.
Metchie steps up in the absence of Stefon Diggs and Nico Collins
With Stefon Diggs out for the season and Nico Collins sidelined by a hamstring injury, Metchie has stepped into a larger role for the Texans — and he’s delivering. In the first half alone, Metchie caught all four of his targets for 65 yards, including the 15-yard touchdown. He also had an impressive 25-yard grab during Houston’s two-minute drill.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud shone as well, guiding the Texans to a strong 16-point halftime lead. By the end of the first half, Stroud had completed 14 of his 20 passes for 164 yards and a touchdown.
While the Texans struggled to establish their ground game, with Joe Mixon managing just 10 yards on 12 carries, Mixon still made an impact by scoring an 8-yard touchdown on a jet sweep during Houston’s first drive. He also added two receptions for 44 yards.
A shocking diagnosis, a life-altering journey
Back in July 2022, Metchie received the life-altering diagnosis of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL), a form of cancer that affects only 600 to 800 people in the U.S. annually. According to the National Organization for Rare Disorders, APL can result in severe bleeding and blood clotting.
While it’s one of the most curable types of leukemia, John Metchie still faced doubts about his future in football. He credits his faith for carrying him through the toughest moments, helping him believe he could make it back to the game he loves.
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Image: © Troy Taormina-Imagn Images
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