The NFL world is in mourning following the death of Houston Texans co-founder and senior chair Janice S. McNair, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 89.
McNair, alongside her late husband Bob, was instrumental in returning professional football to the city of Houston when they founded the Texans franchise, which began play in 2002.
The team confirmed her passing in a heartfelt statement on Tuesday afternoon, sparking an outpouring of tributes from across the league and the local community.
‘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,’ Texans Chair and CEO Cal McNair said in a statement.
‘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.’
He added: ‘While I’m heartbroken, I take great comfort in knowing she is now reunited with my dad, her favorite teammate.’
The NFL world is in mourning after the death of Houston Texans co-founder Janice S. McNair
McNair, alongside her late husband Bob, was instrumental in returning professional football to the city of Houston when they founded the Texans franchise
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans, who was originally drafted by the organization as a player in 2006, also paid his respects to the late owner.
‘Mrs. McNair was an incredible woman who will be deeply missed,’ Ryans stated. ‘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.’
Beyond her massive impact on the sporting landscape, McNair leaves behind a staggering philanthropic legacy.
Since moving to Houston in 1960, she and Bob contributed more than half a billion dollars to various charities.
Their efforts heavily focused on medical research and education, primarily distributed through the Robert and Janice McNair Foundation and the Houston Texans Foundation.
Since its inception alongside the franchise in 2002, the Texans Foundation has raised over $51 million to support youth development programs in the Houston area.
Since its inception alongside the franchise in 2002, the Texans Foundation has raised over $51 million to support youth development programs in the Houston area
In recognition of her massive contributions to both the team and the city, Mrs. McNair was formally inducted as the fourth member of the Texans Ring of Honor in 2025.
During a halftime ceremony, her name was placed in the stadium rafters next to her husband and franchise legends Andre Johnson and J.J. Watt.
General Manager Nick Caserio remembered her as a ‘remarkable person whose kindness and compassion left a lasting impact,’ while team president Mike Tomon noted her legacy ‘across the NFL and the game of football will last forever.’
McNair is survived by her four children, 16 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.
