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Houston Texans Co-Founder Janice S. McNair Dies at Age 89
Janice S. McNair, who became principal owner of the Houston Texans after her husband Bob McNair died in 2018, died Tuesday in Houston. She transferred ownership to her son Cal McNair in 2024 after serving six years as controlling owner.
Jul 16, 4:40 PM·1m read5 sources
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Houston Texans co-founder and senior chair Janice S. McNair died Tuesday in Houston at age 89, the team announced. McNair became the team's principal owner after her husband Bob McNair died in November 2018.
She and her husband played a pivotal role in bringing an NFL team back to Houston after the Oilers left in 1996. The Texans began play in 2002. The team holds a record of 174-214-1 with seven playoff wins and eight AFC South titles.
Over the past three seasons the Texans reached the divisional round each year under coach DeMeco Ryans, who played for the team from 2005 to 2011. In March 2024 NFL owners approved Cal McNair to become the new franchise principal owner. Janice McNair transferred principal ownership to her son in spring 2024.
She was inducted into the Texans' Ring of Honor in November 2025. "Janice McNair was a woman of extraordinary generosity, grace and faith, whose impact on the Houston community and the NFL will be felt for generations," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said. "McNair built an organization that felt like a family and it was a true honor to play for them," Ryans said.
Cal McNair stated that outside of family, nothing mattered more to his mother than the Texans. McNair donated over $500 million to charity. She is survived by four children, 16 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
