sports
Houston Texans Co-Founder Janice McNair Dies at Age 89
Janice S. McNair, co-founder and senior chair of the Houston Texans, died Tuesday in Houston at age 89. She became principal owner after her husband Bob McNair died in 2018 and helped bring the NFL team to the city after the Oilers departed in 1996.
Jul 17, 6:17 PM·1m read1 source
profootballtalk.nbcsports.comAudio version
Tap play to generate a narrated version.
Developing·Limited corroboration so far. This page will refresh as more sources emerge.
Houston Texans co-founder and senior chair Janice S. McNair died Tuesday in Houston at age 89, the team announced. ESPN reported the death. She became the team's principal owner after her husband Bob McNair died in November 2018.
Janice and Bob McNair played a pivotal role in bringing an NFL team back to Houston after the Oilers left in 1996. The Texans began play in 2002 and hold a 174-214-1 record with seven playoff wins and eight AFC South titles. Cal McNair, the team's chair and CEO, said she exuded kindness, radiated joy, had an endless amount of hope and love, and lived an incredible life centered around faith, family, philanthropy and football.
He added that outside of family, nothing mattered more to her than her beloved Texans. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell stated that her impact on the Houston community and the NFL will be felt for generations. In March 2024 NFL owners approved Cal McNair to become the new franchise principal owner.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans, who played for the Texans from 2005 to 2011, said McNair built an organization that felt like a family and welcomed him back in 2023 with open arms and her signature warm smile.
