The Houston Sports Hall of Fame Class of 2026 officially welcomed Brian Ching, Billy Wagner and J.J. Watt. The Sports Authority Foundation inducted the three Houston legends during an Oct. 13 ceremony at Le Tesserae.
BlueSky IT and TDECU presented the event, which celebrated the athletes’ accomplishments and lasting connections to Houston.
Three Houston Sports Legends Honored
Ryan Walsh, CEO of the Harris County–Houston Sports Authority and Sports Authority Foundation, welcomed the new class. He said the athletes made Houston proud through their performances and community service.
“Their legacies on the field made Houston proud, and their impact in the community made Houston better,” Walsh said.
Each inductee received an official Hall of Fame jacket, trophy and custom ring. Organizers also unveiled bronze plaques honoring their careers.
The plaques will become permanent additions to the Houston Sports Walk of Fame at GreenStreet. They will join tributes to previous inductees such as Hakeem Olajuwon, Nolan Ryan and Earl Campbell.
Brian Ching Helped Build a Championship Club
Ching was an original member of the Houston Dynamo. He helped establish the club as a winning organization during its first seasons in Houston.
The forward led the Dynamo to consecutive MLS Cup championships in 2006 and 2007. He also earned six MLS All-Star selections and was named the 2006 MLS Cup Most Valuable Player.
Ching remained active in Houston’s soccer community following his playing career. In 2018, he opened Pitch 25 Beer Garden in East Downtown. The venue became a gathering place for Dynamo supporters and other soccer fans.
“Above all, Houston gave me a home and a community that embraced me as one of its own,” Ching said.
Billy Wagner Joins Another Hall of Fame
Wagner became one of baseball’s most successful relief pitchers during his 16-year Major League Baseball career. The seven-time All-Star recorded 422 saves, placing him eighth on MLB’s career list.
The Houston Astros selected Wagner with the 12th overall pick in the 1993 MLB Draft. He later recorded 225 saves with the organization, the most in franchise history.
Wagner entered the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2025 as a member of the Astros. The team also retired his No. 13 jersey that year.
“The opportunities that were given to me through the Houston Astros and the city of Houston are one of those things you can’t put a price tag on,” Wagner said. “Houston is always going to be special.”
J.J. Watt Celebrated for Excellence and Service
Watt spent 10 seasons with the Houston Texans and became one of the NFL’s most dominant defensive players. He recorded a franchise-leading 101 sacks during his time in Houston.
The defensive end won three NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards. That total is tied for the most in league history.
Watt’s impact extended well beyond football. He helped raise more than $41 million for Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts in 2017. The NFL later named him the Walter Payton Man of the Year.
“I’m not from here, but you welcomed me as one of your own,” Watt said during the ceremony. “You will always be my family.”
Hall of Fame Preserves Houston Sports History
The Houston Sports Hall of Fame was created in 2018. It honors athletes who built their careers in Houston or call the city home.
Each Hall of Famer receives an original painting by artist Opie Otterstad. Honorees also receive a custom ring from Diamond Cutters International and a jacket tailored by Ghurka.
Space City Home Network plans to broadcast the Class of 2026 induction ceremony at a later date. Additional airings will follow.
The new class gives Houston residents another permanent place to celebrate the city’s sports history. Fans will soon be able to see the three bronze plaques along the downtown Houston Sports Walk of Fame.