Houston Texans Co-Founder and Senior Chair Janice S. McNair passed away on Tuesday, July 14, the team announced in a statement. She was 89.
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"It is with profound sadness that we announce Houston Texans Co-Founder and Senior Chair Janice S. McNair passed away peacefully in Houston this afternoon with her family by her side," the statement read.
Janice McNair became the Texans' principal owner after her husband, Bob McNair, the Texans' former owner, died in November 2018. Janice and Bob played a pivotal role in bringing an NFL team back to Houston after the Oilers left in 1996.
In 2025, Mrs. McNair was inducted as the fourth member of the Texans Ring of Honor. Her name was placed in the rafters next to her late husband Bob's, and alongside Legends Andre Johnson and J.J. Watt.
She is survived by four children, 16 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.
Janice McNair Donated Millions to Charity
"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," said Texans Chair and CEO Cal McNair. "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."
Since moving to Houston in 1960, McNair carved out a legacy as a philanthropist and a pillar in the community. With most of the funds going toward education and medical research, Janice and her husband Bob donated more than half a billion dollars over the years.
Contributions were made through The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation, the Houston Texans Foundation and The Robert and Janice McNair Educational Foundation. Janice served as a director of each foundation.
Texans Vice President Hannah McNair said, "Janice was more than a mentor. She was a dear friend, a role model, and a true queen mother. Her vision, generosity, and passion for serving others shaped our organization. She touched so many lives, including mine. Giving back was at the heart of everything she did. I'm honored to carry her legacy and love for sports and community forward. She will be deeply missed. Her example will continue to inspire us all."
