Robert C. McNair was honored in the house he built, where he brought joy to 70,000 fans on Sundays.
On Friday, the Texans late Founder, Senior Chairman and Chief Executive Officer's Celebration of Life ceremony took place at NRG Stadium and was open to the public. Texans staff, coaches and players were on hand for the 2 p.m. ceremony, following Friday's practice.
Bill O'Brien said he was honored to attend the ceremony for the man who gave him his first shot at a head coaching job in the NFL.
"He trusted in me and I owe a lot to him," O'Brien said. "I learned a lot from Bob about leadership. I learned a lot from Bob about what type of organization he wanted here, the respect that he had for everybody in the organization, the way that he led, the love that he had for the City of Houston. Bob meant a lot to me. Bob and Janice McNair, Cal McNair, Hannah McNair, they've meant a lot to myself and my family."
A number of special guests were also present, from political figures, local leaders, dignitaries, as well as NFL owners and former Texans players. Among those in attendance were Governor Greg Abbott, Mayor Sylvester Turner, Astros owner Jim Krane, Colts owner Jim Irsay, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, and Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk.
Former U.S. Secretary of State James A. Baker III, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, University of South Carolina president Dr. Harris Pastides and Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church Pastor Emeritus Dr. Dave Peterson all gave moving tributes honoring McNair's legacy.
McNair passed away on Friday, Nov. 23 at the age of 81. He is survived by his wife Janice, sons Cal and Cary, daughters, Ruth and Melissa, 15 grandchildren and two great grandsons.
Honoring the life and career of Texans Founder and CEO Bob McNair, in photos.
Houston Texans owner Bob McNair watches during warm-ups before an NFL football game against the Philadelphia Eagles, Thursday, Dec. 2, 2010 in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Houston Texans owner Bob McNair, left, jokes with coach Bill O'Brien, right, after O'Brien dumped a bucket of ice cold water over his head after an NFL football training camp practice Thursday, Aug. 14, 2014, in Houston. O'Brien was challenged to take the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge to raise money for the ALS Association. The challenge, a social media phenomenon, is part of a program launched by the ALS Association to raise money for fighting ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. Participants challenge others on video to do it or donate money to ALS before dumping ice cold water over their heads. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Houston Texans owner Bob McNair shakes hands with Texans' Andre Johnson with following a joint practice between the Denver Broncos on Thursday, Aug. 21, 2014, in Englewood, Colo. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue and Houston businessman Bob McNair, left, smile during a press conference in Atlanta Wednesday, Oct. 6, 1999. Houston rejoined the NFL, paying a record $700 million for an expansion franchise and beating out Los Angeles, the nation's second-largest TV market. . (AP Photo/W. A. Harewood)
ADVANCE FOR WEEKEND EDITIONS, SEPT. 25-26 - FILE - In this Nov. 14, 2002, file photo, Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, right, and Houston Texans owner Bob McNair pose for photographers after a news conference at a Mexico City hotel. This nine-year-old expansion team can't compete with the popularity the Cowboys have gained in an illustrious 50-year history filled with figures that are ingrained in the fabric of this state. (AP Photo/Victor R. Caivano, File)
An image from the Aug. 9, 2017 preseason away game against the Carolina Panthers. The Texans lost 17-27.
Houston Texans owner Bob McNair poses with the new team's logo and helmet during a rally Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2000, in Houston. The Texans will compete in the 2002 NFL season. (AP Photo/Pat Sullivan)
Houston Texans Robert C. McNair, founder, chairman and CEO walks off the field before an NFL football game between the Houston Texans and the Minnesota Vikings Sunday, Oct. 9, 2016, in Minneapolis. (Jeff Haynes/AP Images for Panini)
Houston Texans owner Bob McNair talks to former Presidents George H.W. Bush and George W. Bush before an NFL football game against the Oakland Raiders Sunday, Nov. 17, 2013, in Houston. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, right, talks with Houston Texans' owner Bob McNair on the sidelines before an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 18, 2016, in Houston. (AP Photo/Eric Christian Smith)
An image from the Nov. 5, 2017 regular season home game against the Indianapolis Colts. The Texans lost 14-20.
An image from the Sept. 24, 2017 regular season away game against the New England Patriots. The Texans lost 33-36.
Houston Texans defensive end J.J. Watt, left, shakes hands with team owner Bob McNair, right, before an NFL football game between the Texans and the New England Patriots in Foxborough, Mass., Monday, Dec. 10, 2012. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Houston Texans owner Bob McNair, right, is joined by his son, Cal, left, before an NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens Sunday, Dec. 21, 2014, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
November 1, 2015; HOUSTON, TX -- Houston Texans defeat the Tennessee Titans 20-6 at NRG Park.
Former President George W. Bush, right, and Houston Texans owner Bob McNair before the NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers Sunday, Oct. 25, 2009 in Houston. (AP Photo/Dave Einsel)
The Bob & Janice McNair Foundation presents a $750,000 check to Brookwood Community, an educational, residential and entrepreneurial village for adults with functional disabilites.
