Brian Cushing

Brian Cushing is a retired NFL Linebacker who played for the Houston Texans and became the team’s all-time leading tackler. Brian had a spectacular high school career that led to MaxPreps naming him one of the Top 50 High School Defensive Players of All-Time. He played his college football at USC where he instantly became a standout. Brian became one of two players ever to compete in the Rose Bowl game as a starter in all four years of his college career. He was named Defensive MVP of the 2007 Rose Bowl. In his senior season, Brian was named an Associated Press First-Team All-American and was subsequently selected in the 1st round of the 2009 NFL Draft as the 15th overall pick by the Houston Texans. In Brian’s 1st NFL season, he tied for the conference lead in total tackles with Ray Lewis and was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year. He was named a starter in the 2010 Pro Bowl because of his incredible performance. In 2011, a year in which the Houston Texans made the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, Brian was named Team MVP and earned AP 2nd Team All-Pro honors. Brian amassed 664 tackles throughout his 9-year NFL career, a mark that still stands today as the Houston Texans record for most tackles. Career Highlights & Awards: 2x AFC Defensive Player of the Week 2009 2nd Team All-Pro 2009 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year 2011 Team Captain