Texans G Max Scharping excited to face hometown Packers again

Houston Texans guard Max Scharping is no stranger to Green Bay.

In fact, he grew up there. He graduated high school from Southwest High School just 2.7 miles away from Lambeau Field before going on to play at Northern Illinois.

Green Bay is a city of beginnings for the former 2019 second-round pick.

“I grew up my whole life there, so it’s everything,” Scharping said. “It’s who I am. That’s where I came from. So it built me into who I am today. I wouldn’t be here without Green Bay.”

Saturday night will be the second time Scharping has returned to Green Bay and the third time in his short career that he has faced the Packers, preseason or otherwise. Scharping’s first preseason game against the Packers was in 2019 to open up the preseason, coming off the tail end of joint practices with the NFC North club.

“I’ve been back once before obviously a couple years ago,” said Scharping. “It’s going to be super special again to get to go back to Green Bay. I’m excited.”

Scharping’s family is excited to see one of their own return to play at Lambeau Field — it means they won’t have to travel very fair.

“The fact that they can just host it and tailgate and stuff, they’re going to be happy,” said Scharping.

If Scharping can get a chance, depending on the schedule and logistics, he will try to see his family and friends after the game.

Ticket procurement is not up to Scharping.

Said Scharping: “That’s all on my parents. I have no idea. I’m not in charge of that one. That’s on them. That’s too much for me to handle.”

Scharping has enough to handle with three tackles, Tytus Howard, Laremy Tunsil, and Roderick Johnson, on the COVID-19 reserve. Nevertheless, in Green Bay, Scharping and the Texans have a chance to lay the foundation for a successful 2021 campaign.