Growing up in Atlanta, Georgia, Steven Nelson always felt he had the best of both worlds. He lived the city life near Atlanta, but spent summers on his grandparents’ farm in the rural town of Warner Robins, just outside of Macon, Georgia.
Now in his eighth NFL season and first with the Houston Texans, Nelson still struggles for that same balance. Texans starting DB lives in the city during football season, but spends his free time on his farm outside of Houston.
“They go hand in hand, right? Football is, you know, it’s stressful,” Nelson said. “It can be stressful, it’s very demanding. So for me, my escape is being with the animals. It’s peaceful, it relaxes me a little bit and takes me away a little bit. I guess I’m recharged in a way.”
The Texans signed Nelson as an unrestricted free agent last April. After his rookie year, Nelson went on to become a six-year starter for the Philadelphia Eagles (2021), Pittsburgh (2019-20) and Kansas City (2016-18). In his five starts for Houston this year, Nelson has played alongside rookie Derek Stingley Jr. and has recorded 27 tackles (20 solo), one tackle for loss and three passes defensed and reunited with his former position coach, Dino Vasso.
“I’ve known Steve since his rookie year in Kansas City. He doesn’t get a lot of opportunities in the passing game, but he’s making plays when they come.”
“It’s been that way for most of my career,” Nelson said. “You know, some seasons I’ll target more than others for whatever reason. But I feel like that’s a sign of respect and naturally guys will target a younger player and try to move the ball that way. But that doesn’t allow me to relax at any point because in the corner, any mistake, you know, you can give up a big play. I see all those things, but I’m always trying to work and make sure I’m ready. full stop moment”.
Instead, Nelson finds time to relax when he’s on his farm. Although his love for animals began at an early age, Nelson came up with the idea for a farm during the pandemic. He began reading about sustainable living and researching how to live off the land at a time when people were concerned about food shortages and supply chain issues. In January, a few months before he even signed with the Texans, Nelson bought his farm and hasn’t looked back since.
“We have a garden right now, like a full garden,” Nelson said. “We have everything from chickens to turkeys. We have peacocks, pigs, goats, sheep and a miniature horse.”
On his days off, Nelson gets up at 7 a.m. to take care of his chores on the farm. Once the roosters wake up, he too is feeding his pigs, letting the chickens roam and graze, tending to his goats and letting his miniature horse, Dusty, out.
“I take him out, you know, I give him his little area to eat, he feeds the goats and the sheep,” Nelson said. “And that’s about it. Peacocks pretty much do their thing.”
Nelson Farms will be open to the public on Oct. 15 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for its first Fall Festival. The festival will include face painting, sack races, animal feeding, bounce houses, food trucks, refreshments. Nelson will sign autographs and take photos as well. Tickets can be purchased online. Click here for more information.
Find tickets for Texans vs. Titans on October 30 at 3:05 p.m.
