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TRIBUTES have poured in for Houston Texans co-founder Janice S.
McNair after the NFL trailblazer died aged 89.
McNair and her late husband Bob were instrumental in returning professional football to the city of Houston in 2002.
The NFL franchise confirmed her passing in a heartfelt statement on Tuesday.
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 CEO Cal McNair said in a statement.
Its 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.
READ MORE ON THE NFL I remain honored to lead this franchise and build on the foundation my parents set when they brought football back to Houston.
While Im heartbroken, I take great comfort in knowing she is now reunited with my dad, her favorite teammate.
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans, who was drafted by the organization as a player in 2006, also paid tribute to the late co-founder.
Mrs.
McNair was an incredible woman who will be deeply missed, Ryans said.
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.
McNairs contributions to the city of Houston went far beyond the sporting landscape.
After moving to Houston in 1960, she and her late husband Bob contributed more than half a billion dollars to various charities.
Their charitable donations focused primarily on medical research and education.
Mrs.
McNair was formally inducted as the fourth member of the Texans Ring of Honor in 2025 in recognition of her impact on both the team and the city.
NFL important dates 2026 Wed 9 Sept, 8:20 pm ET - Season opener (New England Patriots at Seattle Seahawks) Thur 10 Sept, 8:35 pm ET Australia game (San Francisco 49ers vs Los Angeles Rams at Melbourne Cricket Ground) Wed 25 Nov, 8 pm ET Thanksgiving Eve game (Green Bay Packers at Los Angeles Rams) Thur 26 Nov Thanksgiving day triple-header (Bears at Lions, Eagles at Cowboys, Chiefs at Bills) Fri 27 Nov, 3 pm ET Black Friday Football (Denver Broncos at Pittsburgh Steelers) Fri 25 Dec Christmas day triple-header (Packers at Bears, Bills at Broncos, Rams at Seahawks) Sun 10 Jan 2027 End of regular-season 16-31 Jan 2027 Playoffs Sun 14 Feb 2027 Super Bowl LXI at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California Her name was placed in the stadium rafters next to her husband and franchise legends Andre Johnson and J.J.
Watt.
McNair is survived by her four children, 16 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren.