The Houston Texans are in mourning after the passing of co-founder and senior chair Janice McNair. She was 89.
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The team announced Janice's passing on Tuesday and noted that she is survived by by four children, 16 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. This group includes Cal McNair, who became principal owner of the team in 2024. Cal has run the team since 2018 when his father, Bob, passed away.
"Mom was exceptional," Cal McNair said in the statement. "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.
"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."
"All of us who were graced with her presence and kindness are better for the experience." pic.twitter.com/FA4lDBhUNO
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) July 15, 2026
Janice, a South Carolina native, and husband Bob founded the Texans in 2002 and brought professional football back to Houston. They filled the hole left when the Oilers headed to Tennessee after the 1996 season, and they built this franchise from one that struggled into one that could compete for division wins.
Janice and Bob also founded the Houston Texans Foundation in 2002, which they used to raise tens of millions of dollars for residents in need.
Last year, the Texans inducted Janice into the team's Ring of Honor. She became the fourth member as she joined Bob, JJ Watt, and Andre Johnson.
"Mrs. McNair was an incredible woman who will be deeply missed," said head coach DeMeco Ryans in a statement. "As a player, she and Mr. McNair built an organization that felt like a family and it was a true honor to play for them. I will always remember the day I came home to Houston in 2023.
"Mrs. McNair welcomed me back into the Texans family with open arms and her signature warm smile. We shared the same vision of bringing the organization to new heights and I will continue to work every day to accomplish that goal. My thoughts and prayers are with Cal, Hannah and their family during this time."
