Justin Houston is a former American football player who played as a linebacker in the National Football League (NFL). He was born on January 21, 1989, in Statesboro, Georgia, and attended the University of Georgia, where he played college football for the Georgia Bulldogs.
Houston was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs in the third round of the 2011 NFL Draft. He quickly established himself as one of the league's premier pass rushers, earning Pro Bowl honors in four of his first five seasons. In 2014, he led the NFL with 22 sacks, just half a sack shy of the single-season record.
Over the course of his career, Houston was known for his ability to get to the quarterback and disrupt opposing offenses. He finished his career with 97.5 sacks, which ranks 25th all-time in NFL history. He also recorded 383 tackles, 118 tackles for loss, and 14 forced fumbles.
Houston spent the majority of his career with the Chiefs, playing for the team from 2011 to 2018. During his time in Kansas City, he helped lead the team to four playoff appearances and one AFC Championship game. He was released by the Chiefs in 2019 and signed with the Indianapolis Colts, where he played for two seasons before announcing his retirement in 2021.
Throughout his career, Houston was widely regarded as one of the best pass rushers in the NFL. He was named to the Pro Bowl five times and was a first-team All-Pro selection in 2014. He was also named to the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team.
Off the field, Houston was known for his philanthropic work. He established the Justin Houston Foundation, which aims to provide resources and support to underprivileged children and families in his hometown of Statesboro, Georgia.
In conclusion, Justin Houston was a dominant pass rusher in the NFL for over a decade. He was a five-time Pro Bowler, a first-team All-Pro selection, and a member of the NFL 2010s All-Decade Team. He finished his career with 97.5 sacks and was widely regarded as one of the best defensive players of his generation.
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