When the New England Patriots cut DeAndre Carter three years ago, the diminutive wide receiver and return specialist wanted to stay busy and get involved with the community.
So, Carter took up work as a substitute teacher in Hayward, Calif. This allowed him to give back to kids and stay available for NFL auditions.
Now, the Texans' primary kick returner is an NFL starting wide receiver with Keke Coutee sidelined with a hamstring injury and had a career-long 50-yard reception against the New York Jets last week.
"I was trying to help out and help kids find their way through life in a rough area," Carter said. "It gave me flexibility if I had to go fly somewhere and the principal of the school was really good with me in terms of being able to go to work out for teams.
"I think everything happens for a reason. Everybody has a different journey to get to where they are now. Those times are what I needed to get to where I am and be successful right now."
Carter got his first big break earlier this season with the Philadelphia Eagles when Darren Sproles, one of the best returners in NFL history, was hurt. Carter was playing well, but was cut by the Eagles and claimed by the Texans off waivers and replaced Tyler Ervin on the roster.
"I understood the decision," Carter said. "Sproles is one of the greatest return men ever to do it. With him coming back from injury, you're going to put him back there.
"I will forever be grateful to that organization, to Howie Roseman to Doug Pederson for giving me an opportunity to put on display what I can do and that allowed me to get to Houston. It's fun to be able to get out there and make plays and contribute and have a role on offense and on special teams."
Carter has caught 10 of 11 passes thrown to him for 101 yards.
"It fortunate for us to have had him and coached him," Pederson said. "This kid is a hard worker. He's explosive, he's quick and the Texans are fortunate to have him. He's a guy that if he gets offensive snaps, obviously, they can move him around the formation.
"He's smart, he understands concepts and then of course his returns are very explosive. He did that for us and he's doing that for the Texans now."
Carter is averaging 9.1 yards per punt return and 24.8 yards per kickoff return for the AFC South leaders.