Jalen Pitre
HOUSTON TEXANS
| Position | College | Years in the NFL |
|---|---|---|
| Safety | Baylor University | 3 |
EXCELLENCE ON THE FIELD
Since being selected by the Houston Texans in the second round (37th overall) of the 2022 NFL Draft, Pitre has started in all 41 games he has appeared in, recording 280 tackles, 20 passes defensed, 17 tackles for loss, six interceptions and 1.0 sack. In 2022, Pitre set the franchise record for most tackles in a game (16) and became the only player in NFL history to record at least 125 tackles and five interceptions in their rookie season. In 2023, Pitre joined DeMeco Ryans as the only two players in franchise history to eclipse 100 career solo tackles within their first 18 career games, while also becoming the only Texan defensive back to do so. Pitre's 280 career tackles stand as the fourth-most by any safety in the NFL since 2022. This season, Pitre has started in all nine games and posted 49 tackles, seven passes defensed, six tackles for loss, and one interception. Head Coach DeMeco Ryans recently said, "Jalen Pitre is our spark plug. He finds a way to be all over the field. Whether he's in a blitz or just being active in coverage. I'm proud of Jalen. He continues to get better. These past three weeks Jalen's playing some of the best football he's played for us."
POSITIVE CHARACTER & A LIFESTYLE OF GIVING BACK
Pitre's coaches and teammates view him as a leader in the locker room and on the field. Head Coach DeMeco Ryans has said of Pitre, "Jalen Pitre is the epitome of a leader. He brings great energy, whether he's practicing or on the sideline. You talk about a guy who brings it every single day, the way he works every day." He is also incredibly close to his family. When he was drafted, he lived at home with his parents, the same house he grew up in about 20 minutes from NRG Stadium. Pitre, who has since moved into his own home, cherished the time with his parents and older brother, eating dinner together and watching their favorite throwback movies. Pitre shared that living with his parents went beyond him being frugal and waiting to find a place that was right for him. It was about a family bond that brought him peace from the daily grind of the NFL. Pitre is someone whose character and actions others want to emulate on a day-to-day basis. "I understand that I play for a professional team in Houston and I think it's my duty to help shed light on others who really need it. I hope I can continue to inspire and push people to help others as much as they can," Pitre recently shared. He is the epitome of a man who leads by example first and makes a profound impact on those around him. Those who know him best know there's so much more he will accomplish during his NFL career both on and off the field.
DEDICATION & COMMITMENT TO COMMUNITY EFFORTS
THIS YEAR
In his 3rd season with the Texans, Pitre continues to show up for his hometown community. This year, he remains a devoted advocate for Kids' Meals, a local nonprofit organization that delivers free, healthy meals year-round directly to the homes of hungry preschool-aged children in an effort to end childhood hunger. Last season, Pitre teamed up with Kids' Meals to lead the "Feed 5 More" campaign that continues today. Through $5 incremental, crowd-sourced donations, his goal is to raise a significant amount of money to help feed even more children across Houston. Pitre, a self-described foodie, said he never would have guessed he would be able to help so many kids in the community through this campaign, but is blessed to be in a position to do so. Pitre is also serving as a sponsor in the Houston Texans Community Huddle Ticket Program this season, which gives people who may not otherwise have a chance to attend an NFL game the opportunity to have a unique and special gameday experience. Every home game, the Stafford Cobras, the youth football team Jalen played on growing up, are treated to tickets, food vouchers, and parking passes thanks to his generosity.
IN YEARS PAST
During his rookie season, Pitre helped award $25,000 grants to three United Way agencies across Houston. At the time, Pitre shared that it was a blessing to visit the community center, as he remembered when he was a kid in their shoes. He has continued to give back over the years, including through bike giveaways, joining teammates' shopping sprees during the holidays, PLAY 60 events, volunteer days, and much more. Pitre's parents taught him about the importance of giving back at a young age. Launching the "Feed 5 More" campaign with Kids' Meals last season allowed him to pour into the community that means so much to him in his own way. He has taken the campaign to a new level this season and Pitre can often be found at Kids' Meals or delivering meals with their team on his off days. In Week 11 of the 2023 season, Pitre even arrived to NRG Stadium in the Kids' Meals van to raise awareness for the campaign and cause that is so near and dear to his heart.