The NFL community is mourning the loss of one of its most influential franchise figures. Janice McNair, the Houston Texans' co-founder and owner, passed away on Tuesday at the age of 89.

McNair became the franchise's principal owner after the death of her husband, Bob McNair, in 2018. Janice McNair passed on the ownership to her son, Cal McNair, in 2024.

"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 Houston Texans X post read. "Mrs. McNair was 89 years old."

According to the Houston Texans X post, Janice McNair passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family.

Janice McNair co-founded the franchise with her husband in 1999, after spending $700M in 1998 to purchase the franchise expansion.

They brought an NFL team back to Houston, making it the 32nd team in the league after the former owner, Bud Adams, shifted the Houston Oilers to Tennessee in 1997, according to Jonathan M. Alexander of the Houston Chronicle.

She was one of the ten female NFL team owners and was inducted into the Texans Ring of Honor during the 2025 season. She is survived by her four children, sons Cary and Cal McNair, and daughters Melissa and Ruth.

A new chapter quietly began for the Houston Texans in 2024. Cal McNair officially assumed the role of the franchise's primary owner, with Janice McNair handing over the principal ownership title she had held since the passing of her husband, Bob McNair, in 2018.

After the Texans announced her passing, tributes and condolences poured in from across the league, honoring McNair's legacy.

League mourns the loss of Texans co-founder Janice McNair

NFL franchises offered their condolences by honoring McNair's legacy as a franchise owner, philanthropist, and one of the NFL's most respected figures.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell offered his condolences and prayers through a statement.

"On behalf of the entire NFL family, we extend our heartfelt condolences to the McNair family, the Texans organization, and the Houston community," Roger Goodell said, according to Jared Koch of Sports Illustrated.

The New England Patriots Chairman & CEO, Robert Kraft also offered his tribute to McNair through a statement.

"On behalf of the Patriots organization, our hearts are with Cal, Hannah, the entire NcNair family, and everyone in the Texans organization," the Patriots X post read.

Owner of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Glazer family offered their prayers to the family and a tribute to McNair's legacy in a statement.

"All of us at the Buccaneers extend our heartfelt condolences to Cal, the entire McNair family, and everyone in the Texans organization during this difficult time," the Buccaneers X post read.

The New York Giants remembered her for her leadership and kindness and offered heartfelt condolences.

"Our thoughts are with the McNair family, the Texans, and their supporters on the passing of Janice McNair, a great person and leader in our league," the Giants X post read.

The Los Angeles Rams also offered their prayers for the Texans' family in response to the Texans' post informing her demise.

"The Rams are saddened by the loss of Texans Co-Founder and Senior Chair Janice S. McNair. Our sincere condolences are with the McNair and Texans families," the Rams X post read.

The outpouring of tributes reflected the impact Janice McNair had on the Texans organization and the NFL community.

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Written by

Archana Ramakrishnan

Edited by

Aadesh Dhote