'A real honor and a privilege': Houston Sports Authority introduces 2021 class of inductees

On Tuesday, Sept. 21, the Harris County – Houston Sports Authority introduced its 2021 class of inductees, and the theme is "deuces wild."

The Houston Sports Hall of Fame will comprise some legendary figures, former Houston Astros pitcher Roger Clemens, former Houston Rockets and University of Houston guard Clyde Drexler and former Houston Comets player Sheryl Swoopes, as announced by the Houston Sports Authority on Sept. 21.

"I made remarks at @HCHSA's Houston Sports Walk of Fame 2021 Class unveiling event at @GreenStreetHou. This year's class included @astros Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio, @HoustonTexans @johnson80, and we remembered @UHouston 's Bill Yeoman and Guy V. Lewis," Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner wrote in a tweet.

Clemens is known for his powerful and dominating pitchers in the game, and he is a graduate of Spring Woods High School. In the total 24 seasons, he achieved a record seven Cy Young Awards, and he is even nicknamed "Rocket."

"This is where I grew up," Clemens said. "Houston has always been my home, so it's a real honor and a privilege to receive this award. I'll have a lot of people to thank the night of this award, for sure."

Drexler was a student of Sterling High School and the University of Houston, where he even helped the team reach the 1983 national championship game. In 1996, Drexler was named one of the top 50 players in the history of the NBA.

"This is a tremendous honor, the Houston Sports Hall of Fame, with world renowned athletes and contributors that are part of that, and to be included is a tremendous honor," Drexler said.

Swoopes was the lynchpin of the 1993 Texas Tech women's basketball team that won a national crown. Joining the WNBA in 1997, she guided the now-defunct Houston Comets to four championships.

The Houston Sports Hall of Fame honors athletes who hail from or have connections to the Houston area who have made significant strides in their sport.

Clemens, Drexler and Swoopes donned No. 22 during their respective times in Houston hence the class's "deuces wild" theme.