Janice McNair is set to be inducted into the Texans’ Ring of Honor this Sunday. This ceremony will take place during halftime at NRG Stadium, coinciding with a game against the Denver Broncos. She is the widow of Bob McNair, the franchise’s late owner and founder.
Historical Significance of the Induction
With this induction, Janice McNair will join an exclusive group of four members in the Texans’ history. This group includes:
- Bob McNair
- Andre Johnson, Hall of Fame wide receiver
- J.J. Watt, three-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year
Janice McNair’s Contributions
Cal McNair, the Texans’ principal owner and CEO, emphasized his mother’s impact on the organization and Houston community. He remarked on her ongoing support for the team and her extensive contributions to charitable causes.
Since the franchise’s inception, Janice McNair has played a vital role in its charitable foundation, established in 2002. To date, the foundation has raised over $50 million for various community initiatives.
As a breast cancer survivor, Janice McNair is also a dedicated mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She is credited by Cal McNair as a significant influence in the team’s culture and philanthropic efforts.
Philanthropic Endeavors
The McNair family’s commitment to education and healthcare is evident through The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation. This organization created the McNair Scholars Program, benefiting students and faculty at prestigious institutions such as:
- University of South Carolina
- Rice University
- Baylor College of Medicine
- M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
- UTHealth Houston
- Texas Children’s Hospital
In 2007, they made a transformative contribution to Baylor College of Medicine, establishing a program that advances medical research and patient care. As a testament to their generosity, the Baylor Medicine McNair Campus bears their name.
In 2015, they expanded their philanthropic work by forming the McNair Centers for Entrepreneurism and Free Enterprise at the University of St. Thomas-Houston and the University of South Carolina. These centers aim to promote entrepreneurship and the principles of free enterprise in society.
Recognition and Legacy
Janice McNair will also receive the Houston Sports Awards Lifetime Achievement Award in 2025. This honor recognizes individuals who have positively impacted both the sports community and the broader Houston area.
Texans coach DeMeco Ryans praised Janice for her unwavering support of the team. His fond memories of her showcase her dedication to the Texans and her enthusiasm for football.
As Janice McNair’s name joins the ranks of revered inductees, her legacy of philanthropy and commitment to Houston’s sports culture is firmly established. There is a collective gratitude for her contributions, echoing the sentiment that the return of football to Houston would not have been possible without her and her late husband, Bob McNair.
