Bob McNair's gone, but we'll be reminded of him for many years to come.
Because of his generosity, you'll likely see his name if you visit the zoo, or a hospital, or watch a play in a theater. In the next year or so, I'm pretty certain you'll see his name join Andre Johnson's in the Texans ring of honor.
He spread his personal wealth around the city and country to those who could use it, and he did so to the tune of a half billion dollars. And that's just the money we know about. John McClain of the Houston Chronicle pointed out Friday night that McNair quietly gave money to an array of people who needed it, and he'd never let it get publicized.
I have some fond memories of him, and the first one starts with "Don't call him 'Owner'."
I can't remember what the story was about, or when exactly I wrote it, but the first article I penned about Bob McNair had a mistake in the first sentence. I was told, politely, by a coworker that McNair preferred the title of Founder, Chairman and CEO. I always liked the 'Founder' title of his, because in the late 1990's, Houston was in the football desert. The Oilers, who broke our hearts so creatively at the end of the 1970's, and then again and again a decade and change later, had fled to Tennessee. Sundays were weird here after they left.
But McNair was dogged in his determination to get an NFL franchise, and in 2002 he and the Texans kicked back off with a bang. He 'founded' the team that was ours, and Sundays haven't been the same. Sure: we've seen just four playoff teams in the club's history. But so many people are employed directly, and indirectly, by the Texans. It wouldn't have happened without him.
McNair also had a delightful sense of humor. In 2011, nose tackle Shaun Cody and the squad were living the high life. They'd peel off seven straight wins en route to the team's first division title, using three different starters at quarterback to do so. Cody had his video series "On the Nose", and he got everybody involved. Including McNair.
It's the only time I saw Cody get nervous, but McNair and his son Cal strolled in and immediately lightened the mood. He was up for anything Cody asked. He put on eye-black strips. He had his dress shoes and argyle socks taped up by the trainers. He chest-bumped Cody.
After we recorded it, Cody had an action shot of himself printed up, and he autographed it, with the special note "To Bobby Mac". McNair framed it and had it in his office at the stadium, where it still sits today.
McNair was a competitive man, and really wanted to see a Texans Super Bowl victory. To that end, he wasn't afraid to sign free agents. Sometimes, it worked out perfectly: Antonio Smith, Johnathan Joseph and now Tyrann Mathieu are a few who come to mind.
When the news broke nationally that Houston would sign quarterback Brock Osweiler in March of 2016, there was a buzz in the building and a buzz for the Texans. At that point, there was a great optimism for Osweiler's and the Texans future. Before the t's were crossed and I's were dotted on the contract, though, we couldn't confirm the news.
I walked down the hall for something, and came upon McNair and his son Cal. He saw me grinning—hey, we thought we had a franchise QB!—and said with a devilish grin, "You like that action?"
The Texans ultimately parted ways with Osweiler after a year, but that winding path eventually led to the trade up for Deshaun Watson. McNair, like the rest of us, was very excited about the Texans' future with him under center. Last spring, when I interviewed him for a Texans TV feature, McNair was very confident Watson would eventually lead the franchise to Super Bowl victories.
When that day happens, and it will, we're going to be very happy. I just wish McNair could be there with us.
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.
