John McClain, a member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame and the Texas Sports Hall of Fame, is in his 48th year of covering the NFL in Houston, including 45 seasons at the Houston Chronicle.
When the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority announced this week that Janice McNair would be honored with the organization's prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award in January, I thought back to the first time I was introduced to her 28 years ago.
Janice, the Texans' Co-Founder and Senior Chair, had joined her late husband, Bob McNair, in pursuit of an NFL franchise to replace the Oilers, who had moved to Nashville in 1997. The odds were against the McNairs because the NFL wanted to put an expansion franchise in Los Angeles, but that didn't discourage them from chasing their dream for Houston.
When I requested an interview with Bob and Janice, they invited a Chronicle photographer and me to their home. We stayed for an hour listening to their plans to compete with Los Angeles, and, ultimately, to return the NFL to Houston. It became official on Oct. 5, 1999 when the league announced Houston as the 32nd franchise.
Bob, who died in November of 2018 after a long battle with cancer, was as humble as any NFL owner I've met in my 48 years of covering the league – the first 45 for the Chronicle. He had a rock-solid plan to amass the expansion fee, secure minor partners and help the city and county finance a new, retractable-roof stadium next door to the Astrodome.
Before, during and after our interview, I was so impressed with how passionate Bob was for his project – his determination to secure a team for Houston, no matter what the financial cost.
As for Janice, a South Carolina native, the first time I heard her talk she had an accent as sweet as Tupelo honey. She was so polite, gracious and captivating when talking about her husband, her children and her philanthropic endeavors, especially in the Houston area and her native South Carolina.
I found it interesting that Janice sat in for most of the interview and was happy to answer my questions, but she politely asked me not to quote her in my story. She preferred to let Bob do the talking about their pursuit of an expansion franchise.
Over the years, I came to realize that the old expression – "Behind every great man is a great woman" – certainly pertained to the McNairs.
Bob liked being out front. He was comfortable and confident in that role as a dealmaker and spokesman. Janice has always preferred to be in the background, working tirelessly as a devoted wife, mother and grandmother as well as a shrewd businesswoman who's involved with innumerable charities for a family that's donated almost to $600 million to so many organizations.
Together, Bob and Janice formed a partnership that's been devoted to their faith, family, football, philanthropy and the city of Houston.
"I'm a Houston homer," Bob liked to say.
And Janice is, too, but she doesn't say it publicly.
No matter where they went in Houston or around the country, Janice was always at Bob's side offering support and encouragement as he navigated the landmines associated with being an NFL owner. They were respected around the NFL, and Janice remains one of 10 women who own or are part owners of the league's 32 franchises.
For almost three decades, I've seen how Janice can be sweet, charming and compassionate, but she also can be tough when it comes to making decisions she believes are best for her family and the Texans. Some have learned the hard way not to mistake her kindness for weakness.
Her son, Cal, the Texans' Chair, Chief Executive Officer and Principal Owner, calls his mother a "steel magnolia," defined as "a woman who exhibits traditionally feminine qualities as well as indefatigable strength, determination and resolve."
That definition fits Janice McNair like a glove.
And so does the Sports Authority's Lifetime Achievement Award. Janice joins Bob, the 2020 winner, as the only couple to receive the award.
In a reaction typical of Janice McNair, when she was surprised before a Texans' home game that she would be the 2025 recipient, she said, "But I don't deserve this award." And then she cried in appreciation.
Congratulations to the Harris County-Houston Sports Authority for recognizing Janice McNair's contributions to the Houston sports world and community. She joins George and Barbara Bush, Leslie Alexander, Larry Dierker, Jim Nantz, Bill Worrell and, of course, Bob McNair as recipients. I can't imagine anyone more appreciative and deserving.
