‘I’m thrilled:’ Janice McNair to be inducted into Houston Texans’ Ring of Honor

HOUSTON – Since the birth of the Texans as a franchise, Janice McNair has been instrumental to the growth of the organization.

Now, the co-founder and senior chair, the widow of the late owner and founder Bob McNair, is being inducted into the Texans’ Ring of Honor. She will be honored with a halftime ceremony Nov. 9 when the Texans play the Denver Broncos at NRG Stadium.

McNair joins Bob McNair, Andre Johnson and J.J. Watt as the fourth member of the club’s Ring of Honor. Johnson became the first inductee in 2017, followed by Bob McNair in 2019 and Watt in 2023.

“I’m thrilled to join Bob, Andre and J.J. in the Ring of Honor,” Janice S. McNair said. “It means so much to me to be inducted alongside three of my favorite Texans. I have cherished every gameday since 2002 and I’m so proud of our team. It will be such a blessing to celebrate this special occasion with our amazing fans in November. Go Texans!”

Since moving to Houston in 1960, Janice McNair and her husband Bob raised four children and embarked on a lifelong career of giving back to the community. Bob and Janice have contributed more than a half billion dollars to charity. Contributions are made through The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation, the Houston Texans Foundation and The Robert and Janice McNair Educational Foundation in Forest City, N.C. Janice currently serves as a director of each foundation.

The Houston Texans Foundation was created in 2002 at the inception of the franchise. It was born out of Janice and Bob’s strong desire to do great things for Houston, especially Houston’s youth. Since the Texans Foundation’s inception in 2002, more than $50 million has been raised. The Texans Foundation is devoted to benefiting children.

Janice McNair has four children, sixteen grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren. Janice grew up in Orangeburg, S.C., was active in sports, choir and student government, president of the South Carolina Association of Student Councils and governor of the South Carolina Girls’ State. She graduated from Columbia College in Columbia, S.C. with a degree in education and later received an honorary doctorate from Columbia College. Janice is a breast cancer survivor.

“My parents brought football back to Houston more than 20 years ago and ever since, my mom has given so much to our city and our organization,” Texans principal owner Cal McNair said. “There is no one more deserving of being the next member of this illustrious group than mom. She continues to be our team’s biggest fan, and I know how proud dad would be to see her name join his in the rafters of NRG Stadium. I can’t wait to celebrate her induction into the Ring of Honor this season.”

The announcement was made before practice started with players and coaches listening to Hannah McNair and Cal McNair informing fans with Janice McNair looking on.

“That’s a really huge deal for the family and for Mrs. McNair, the late Bob McNair, for them bringing football back to Houston was a huge deal,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “And we’re all beneficiaries of them bringing the game back.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com