Houston Texans co-founder Janice McNair dies at 89 years old

Houston Texans co-founder and senior chair Janice S. McNair has died at the age of 89, the organization announced Tuesday. McNair, who helped bring the NFL back to Houston alongside her late husband Bob McNair, leaves behind a legacy that extended far beyond football through decades of philanthropy and community service. She is survived by four children, 16 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Texans Chair and CEO Cal McNair reflected on his mother’s impact in a statement released by the organization.

“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 McNair 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.”

The Texans Foundation, created when the franchise joined the NFL in 2002, reflected Janice and Bob McNair’s longstanding commitment to giving back to the Houston community. Since its inception, the foundation has generated more than $51 million to support youth programs and community initiatives across the city.

Janice McNair’s impact was formally recognized in 2025 when she became the fourth member of the Texans’ Ring of Honor. She joined Bob McNair, Andre Johnson and J.J. Watt after being honored for her role in helping bring NFL football back to Houston and shaping the organization’s identity.

Janice and Bob McNair moved to Houston in 1960, where they raised four children while building a philanthropic legacy focused on education and medical research. Through the Robert and Janice McNair Foundation, the Houston Texans Foundation and other charitable efforts, the couple contributed more than $500 million to charitable causes.

Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans also paid tribute to McNair, recalling both his playing career with the organization and his return as head coach in 2023.

“Mrs. McNair was an incredible woman who will be deeply missed. 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.”

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