‘It’s hilarious,’ Texans linebacker, special-teams ace Neville Hewitt makes viral, flying suplex, wrestling style tackle

HOUSTON – Neville Hewitt flew through the air like a pro wrestler leaping off the top rope.

His arena, though, was the football field Sunday.

The Texans’ veteran linebacker and special teams ace made an acrobatic tackle on Buffalo Bills punt returner Brandon Codrington that has gone viral on social media. The tackle, a somersault flying suplex tackle resembled something from Chris Jericho, according to his teammates.

“I just seen it,” Hewitt told KPRC 2 at his locker after a 23-20 win over the Bills. “It’s hilarious. Man, that’s what everybody is talking about lately. It’s funny. It was almost like the People’s Elbow.”

That was the trademark finishing move of The Rock when he was a WWE wrestling superstar. He was Hewitt’s favorite wrestler.

Texans owner Cal McNair once called Hewitt a “tackling machine.”

Source: Texans re-signing special-teams ace Neville Hewitt to one-year deal (click2houston.com)

One of the most aggressive, hard-hitting players on the Texans’ roster, Hewitt finished last season for first in the NFL with 13 special teams tackles last season as the Texans won the Rick Gosselin award for the top-ranked special teams units for the second consecutive year.

Hewitt, 31, has forged a 10-year NFL career, Hewitt has a history of overcoming adversity. Growing up in Silver Spring, Maryland, Hewitt dealt with his mother being incarcerated on a drug trafficking charge. He attended Georgia Military College before transferring to Marshall where he was named the Conference USA Defensive Player of the Year and recorded 208 tackles, 16 1/2 for losses 7 1/2 sacks and two interceptions in two seasons.

After being cleared medically with the Miami Dolphins and playing for them for three seasons, he worked his way up to become a starter with the New York Jets.

Now, he’s a vital part of a 4-1 squad.

“The win is a testament to everybody’s hard work,” Hewitt said. “Being able to execute and play complementary football.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com