Houston Texans

Texans punter Lechler back in playoffs for first time in 13 years

Published Jan. 6, 2016 1:31 a.m. ET

foxsports

For the first time in 13 years, Houston Texans punter Shane Lechler will experience what it's like to play in a postseason game when the Texans host the Kansas City on Saturday.

The 39-year-old Lechler made the playoffs each of his first three seasons in the NFL as a member of the Oakland Raiders, including a trip to the Super Bowl during the 2002 season. But he hasn't been back since, which has the 16-year veteran relishing this week's opportunity.

Via the Houston Chronicle:

“It’s been a long time,” Lechler said. “This is special. It’s not easy getting to the playoffs. I told the guys in our little special teams meeting, ‘Don’t take this stuff for granted. These chances don’t come around too often.’ I had veteran guys like Rich Gannon, Jerry Rice, Tim Brown tell me that and I didn’t listen. I took it for granted my first three years.

“It took me a long time to get back. I don’t let moments like this slip by. I don’t know how many more I’ll get. This is what you play for, to get to the postseason. We’re in it and you never know what will happen.”

While he's happy to be back in the postseason, he'll also no doubt be hoping for a better result than his last playoff game. The Raiders were blown out 48-21 by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in Super Bowl XXXVII.