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Tuesday 4 June 2013

Texans will attend memorial service for fallen firefighters

Houston firefighters raise a Texas flag outside Reliant Stadium Tuesday as they prepare for a memorial service for the four fallen HFD firefighters. (Brett Coomer/Chronicle)

On Wednesday, the city of Houston will mourn four firefighters who were killed Friday battling a five-alarm fire.

The Houston Texans will all be there.

“It’s important to us as an organization and a team,” coach Gary Kubiak said. “The players, we talked about it yesterday. We want to show our support for our community and for those families. We look forward to being there to show our support tomorrow.”

Wednesday’s OTA practice was moved up three hours to end before the memorial service at Reliant Stadium. The service is open to the public and begins at 10 a.m.

“It’s something that as players we talked with the coaches and just tried to work it out when we found out it was going to take place in our building tomorrow,” quarterback Matt Schaub said. “It’s important for us, being members of this community to be a part of that community and when something like this happens, we all rally around each other as citizens. So I think it says a lot about what’s important to us as a football team and an organization.”

It was the deadliest day in Houston Fire Department history. The fire was at a motel in southwest Houston.

“It’s a very humbling deal to be able to go in and support this community in the best manner that we can,” said punter Shane Lechler, who grew up in East Bernard. “Those are the real heroes. We are here mainly to win football games and entertain people. Those guys save lives. To be able to go and support the fallen and the ones that are still injured and in the hospital, it means a lot to us, it means a lot to me to just be a part of it.”

Texans 2013 organized team activities

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With veterans resting, spotlight shines on young players

Much like his time at UH, Case Keenum had no trouble finding the end zone on Tuesday. (Brett Coomer/Chronicle)

The Texans had a plethora of veterans on the bikes today, and even more who did little work during the Texans’ team drills.

It gave Gary Kubiak a chance to take a look at some younger guys with the first team today.

Two he singled out were quarterback Case Keenum and receiver Lestar Jean.

“And I like to see guys work; like (QB) Case (Keenum) worked with the first team today,” Kubiak said. “What was impressive was how he practiced. That’s the kind of stuff you want to see. (WR) Lestar (Jean) worked like a starter today and practiced very well. So those are the things you’re really looking for. Are those guys getting ready? Are they getting themselves into position? It’s exciting to see some of them doing that.”

Kubiak also referred to Jean and Keshawn Martin as two of the most improved players in organized team activities.

Texans 2013 organized team activities

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