NEW YORK — When NBA MVP James Harden joined the Houston Dynamo ownership group, his fellow superstars across the local sports landscape took notice, including on the gridiron.
Houston Texans superstar wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins has spoken with the Houston Rockets ace about his interest in the Dynamo and more. Hopkins, who has a history with soccer from his playing days as a kid, is someone who helps bring soccer to underserved communities in Houston.
“James is a friend of mine, so of course I’ve talked to him about it," Hopkins told MLSsoccer.com at the league's FORWARD25 event in New York City, where he repped the Houston Dynamo and presented the club's new 2020 jersey. "That’s big in the sports world, for athletes to also be owners of a team. That made noise as soon as it happened.”
Perhaps Hopkins will follow his friend into ownership?
“Hopefully down the line somewhere," Hopkins said. "But right now, I’m just focusing on my job.”
Hopkins is quite good at that job, routinely recognized as one of the NFL's best receivers, if not the best. The 27-year-old has excelled in his seven seasons with the Texans, three times being named a first-team All-Pro and earning four Pro Bowls nods. He helped lead the Texans to four division titles in the last five years, including the 2019 season.
The wide receiver wears the No. 10 while doing it, which is an ode to the soccer world and Lionel Messi in particular.
“Yeah, that’s true," Hopkins said when asked if he wears No. 10 because of the Barcelona superstar. "Messi is obviously considered one of the greatest ever. He’s short, you know, not the tallest. I feel like he’s got that underdog mentality.”
Messi is considered one of the greatest soccer players of all-time. He is listed at 5-foot-7 and has become a legend despite being diagnosed with a growth hormone deficiency in his youth.
That underdog mentality fuels Hopkins.
“I’m not the tallest, I’m not the biggest or the fastest," Hopkins said. "When you look at me, you might not think I’m the best receiver but my play shows for itself.”
