The Houston Texans family is mourning the loss of their beloved matriarch. Janice S. McNair, the team's co-founder and senior chair, passed away Tuesday at the age of 89.
Alongside her husband, Bob, Janice helped bring professional football back to Houston in 2002, a move that thrilled fans still stung by the Oilers' relocation to Tennessee. The franchise quickly became a source of pride for the city, and Janice remained deeply involved until the end.
After Bob's death in 2018, Janice took over as the primary owner. But in 2024, she passed the torch to her son Cal, who now serves as the team's chair and CEO. Cal released a heartfelt statement honoring his mother's extraordinary life.
“Mom was exceptional. 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,” Cal said. “It's impossible to describe the profound gratitude that my sisters, Ruth and Melissa, and I feel for having her as our mom. Outside of our family, nothing mattered more to her than her beloved Texans. I remain honored to lead this franchise and build on the foundation my parents set when they brought football back to Houston. Mom leaves an indelible mark on our family, our team and our community, and her giving spirit will always be embedded in the fabric of our organization. While I'm heartbroken, I take great comfort in knowing she is now reunited with my dad, her favorite teammate.”
Janice's impact extended far beyond the gridiron. She was a powerhouse philanthropist, donating more than $500 million to charitable causes. Her work through the Houston Texans Foundation focused on helping youth, and she established scholarship programs at the University of South Carolina, Rice University, and Baylor College of Medicine.
Her legacy of generosity is part of the fabric of the organization, much like the family-run dynamics seen across the NFL. The McNair family's commitment to community service will continue to shape the Texans' culture for years to come.
Janice is survived by her four children, 16 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. The family's influence on the Texans remains strong, ensuring that the team's foundation—both on and off the field—will carry her spirit forward.
