Houston Texans co-founder Janice McNair dies
Janice S. McNair, co-founder and senior chair of the Houston Texans, passed away peacefully on Tuesday afternoon at the age of 89, the team announced. She was surrounded by her family.
Cal McNair, Texans Chair and CEO, expressed profound gratitude for his mother, highlighting her kindness, joy, hope, and love. He noted her life was centered on faith, family, philanthropy, and football. He also mentioned her deep affection for the Texans and the foundation she and his father established for the franchise.
Janice McNair is survived by her four children, 16 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. She and her husband, Bob McNair, moved to Houston in 1960 and dedicated their lives to community giving.
A Legacy of Philanthropy and Community Impact
The McNairs were known for their extensive philanthropic efforts, particularly in education and medical research. Through The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation, the Houston Texans Foundation, and The Robert and Janice McNair Educational Foundation in Forest City, N.C., they contributed more than half a billion dollars to charity. Janice McNair served as a director for each of these foundations.
The Houston Texans Foundation, established in 2002 at the franchise’s inception, was a direct result of Janice and Bob McNair’s desire to support Houston, especially its youth. Since its creation, the foundation has raised over $51 million to foster hope in the community, using the influence of football to promote youth development and address barriers to essential resources.
Through The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation, the McNairs also initiated McNair Scholars programs. These programs aim to attract talented students and faculty to institutions such as the University of South Carolina, Rice University, Baylor College of Medicine, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, and Texas Children’s Hospital. Their contributions to academic medical research include a significant gift in 2007 to Baylor College of Medicine, which supports medical scientists in developing new disease treatments. The McNair Campus was named in recognition of their generosity.
In 2015, the McNairs launched programs at various universities across the country to equip students with an understanding of free enterprise systems and entrepreneurial skills. The McNair Institute for Entrepreneurism and Free Enterprise at the University of South Carolina serves as a model for entrepreneurship centers in higher education.
Honors and Tributes
Mrs. McNair was inducted as the fourth member of the Texans Ring of Honor. She was recognized during a halftime ceremony, where Texans fans acknowledged her role in bringing football back to Houston and her lasting impact. Her name is displayed alongside her late husband, Bob, and Legends Andre Johnson and J.J. Watt.
Hannah McNair, Chief Community Officer and Vice President of the Houston Texans Foundation, described Janice McNair as an exceptional mentor, inspirational role model, and visionary leader, emphasizing that giving back was central to the organization’s ethos, a principle initiated by Janice.
Houston Texans Head Coach DeMeco Ryans remembered Mrs. McNair as an incredible woman who, along with Mr. McNair, built an organization that felt like a family. He recalled her warm welcome upon his return to Houston in 2023 and their shared vision for the team’s future. Texans Executive Vice President and General Manager Nick Caserio highlighted her kindness, compassion, and consistent support for players, coaches, and staff. Texans President Mike Tomon referred to her as the matriarch of the organization, whose impact on the Texans, the NFL, and the game of football will endure.
Janice McNair was a breast cancer survivor.
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Source: click2houston.com
