Former Houston Texans Owner Janice S. McNair Dead Tuesday at 89

The Houston Texans confirmed that team co-founder and senior chair Janice S. McNair has passed away. She was 89.

Janice McNair and her husband, Bob, founded the Texans in 2002. They helped bring an NFL franchise back to Houston, which is something fans desperately wanted the moment the Oilers were relocated to Tennessee.

Even though Janice was the primary owner for the Texans after her husband's death in 2018, her son Cal took over as the team's chair and CEO in 2024. As you'd imagine, Cal McNair released a statement on his mother's legacy.

"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."

Making an impact away the field.

In addition to being the senior chair for the Texans, Janice McNair donated more than $500 million to charity.

McNair was known for helping the youth through the Houston Texans Foundation. She also set up scholarship programs for several schools, including the University of South Carolina, Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine.

Janice McNair is survived by her four children, 16 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren. There's no question the McNair family will continue to play a major role for the Texans.

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This story was originally published July 14, 2026 at 1:49 PM.