HOUSTON – It’s her day.
Sunday marks the induction of co-founder and senior chair Janice McNair into the Texans’ Ring of Honor.
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The widow of the late owner and founder, Bob McNair, will be honored at halftime of a game against the Denver Broncos at NRG Stadium.
She’ll become the fourth inductee in franchise history, joining her husband, Hall of Fame wide receiver Andre Johnson and three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt.
“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,” said Cal McNair, Texans principal owner and CEO. “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.”
Since moving to Houston in 1960, she and Bob McNair have been leaders in the community with a long legacy of philanthropy. She has been instrumental in the Texans’ charitable foundation launched in 2002 when the franchise was started. Since its inception, they have raised more than $50 million to help the community.
She is a breast cancer survivor and the proud mother of four children, 16 grandchildren and 13 great-grand children.
“She’s been everything,” Cal McNair said. “She’s been who we model so much of what we do. And we’re here today because of her and she and dad believed in giving back to community and being part of the community.”
Through The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation, the McNairs created McNair Scholars programs to recruit and support exceptional students and faculty at institutions including the University of South Carolina, Rice University, Baylor College of Medicine, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, UTHealth Houston and Texas Children’s Hospital. Their transformational 2007 gift to Baylor College of Medicine established the McNair Scholars Program, advancing groundbreaking medical research and improving patient care. In recognition of their generosity, the Baylor Medicine McNair Campus was named in their honor.
In 2015, the McNairs expanded their philanthropic focus by establishing the McNair Centers for Entrepreneurism and Free Enterprise at the University of St. Thomas-Houston and the University of South Carolina. These centers foster understanding and appreciation for innovation, entrepreneurship and the principles of free enterprise in society.
Janice McNair was selected to receive the 2025 Houston Sports Awards Lifetime Achievement Award which recognizes individuals who have made a positive impact on the sports world and the Houston community. By receiving this honor, she joins a distinguished group of trail blazers whose contributions have shaped the city’s rich sports legacy and inspired future generations.
“I know it was a unanimous decision,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “Mrs. Janice, with her love and affection for everybody, you talk about someone who supports, who loves Texans football. It wouldn’t happen without Mrs. Janice and Bob bringing football back to Houston. So, we’re thankful. As a city, we’re thankful for them bringing football back to Houston. She supports us in training camp. She’s out there every day supporting the team. I would say my fondest memory of Mrs. Janice is saying anytime I talk to her, she says, ‘Anytime you need a linebacker, I’m ready to go.’
“She loves football. She loves the Texans and she’s done everything in her power to make sure we have everything that we need as a team to be as successful as possible. So, we’re all thankful for Mrs. Janice and the late Mr. Bob McNair for what they’ve done to bring football to Houston and have our city fired up about football again. Now it’s on to us to continue to press it forward and take us to new heights.”
Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com