Tag: Cal McNair

Texans VP Hannah McNair takes delightful dig at Cleveland Browns heading

Hannah McNair is making sure Houston Texans are saying thanks to the Cleveland Browns heading into 2024.

Cal McNair keeps a stern face whenever addressing something surrounding the Houston Texans. 

Hannah McNair isn’t afraid to ruffle some feathers. 

As the Houston Texans prepare for what looks to be a promising 2024 season, the McNairs continue to see their popularity rise. Cal, who was named the majority owner during last year’s owner’s meetings, continues to win over the fans with his social media presence. 

Hannah McNair, however, truly has embraced the H-Town culture, going so far as to take a few playful jabs at other teams. Recently on The Ultimate Fan Experience with Texans super fan Steve Beckholt, Hannah said Houston fans should actually be friendly toward the Cleveland Browns. 

Why? 

“Have you thanked a Brown lately,” Hannah told Beckholt. “I thank them for all of our players.”  

Players? What? What are you talking about, Hannah? 

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Thanks to the infamous Deshaun Watson trade of 2022, the Texans were primed with enough draft capital to secure top-end talent en route to being considered a threat in the AFC. Watson, the expected franchise quarterback for the AFC South club, demanded a trade following the 2020 COVID-19 season after Houston hired Nick Caserio and David Culley. 

After dealing with a year’s worth of lawsuits, the Texans obliged, sending Watson to Cleveland in exchange for six total draft picks, including three first-round selections. 

Let’s look back and see how all six picks were used: 

  • The 2022 first (13) was traded to the Eagles for Nos. 15, 124, 162, and 166. Two picks later, the Texans drafted OL Kenyon Green
  • Pick No. 124 was subsequently traded to the Browns with 68 and 108 for No. 44 to draft WR John Metchie III
  • Pick No. 162 was subsequently traded to the Broncos with 80 for No. 75 to draft LB Christian Harris
  • Pick No. 166 was subsequently traded to the Bears with 207 for No. 150 to select DL Thomas Booker
  • The 2022 fourth (104) was used on RB Dameon Pierce
  • The 2023 first (12) was traded to the Cardinals with pick No. 33 and Houston’s first-round pick for Nos. 3 and 105. The Texans would select Defensive Rookie of the Year and DE Will Anderson Jr. 
  • Pick No. 105 was subsequently traded to the Eagles for a 2024 third-round pick, which was later used to select DB Calen Bullock
  • The 2023 third (73) was traded to the Rams with 161 for No. 69, which was used to select WR Tank Dell
  • The 2024 1st (23) was traded to the Vikings with 232 for Nos. 42, 188, and MIN’s 2025 2nd. Pick No. 42 later became CB Kamari Lassiter, while pick No. 188 became LB Jamal Hill. The 2025 2nd-round pick was later used to land four-time Pro Bowler Stefon Diggs. 
  • The 2024 fourth (123) was traded to the Eagles and then back to the Texans to land TE Cade Stover. 

Booker is the only player not a part of the Texans. Harris, Green and Dell are key starters at their respective positions, while Anderson is the foundation of Houston’s pass rush. 

Lassiter and Bullock are expected to be long-term starters in the secondary next to Derek Stingley Jr., Jalen Pitre and Jimmie Ward. Stover, who was C.J. Stroud’s security blanket at Ohio State, should factor in the passing game in some capacity as a rookie before expanding his role. Hill and Pierce are high-end backups who could start at any moment. 

And Watson? He’s missed 11 games in each of his first two seasons with the Browns, due to suspension and injuries. In the 12 starts he’s made over two seasons, he’s thrown 14 touchdowns and nine interceptions while posting an 8-4 record. 

The Texans also bettered their draft pick used in the Anderson trade to Arizona by beating Cleveland 45-14 in the wild-card round last season. Stroud, the franchise’s future, became the youngest passer in league history to win a playoff game en route to winning Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. 

So yes, thank a Browns fan if you know one, Texans nation. Those are Hannah’s orders and we follow whatever she says. 

Texans CEO Cal McNair returns to grill for annual Texans cookout

Cal McNair was back on the grill following Houston Texans’ practice on Thursday afternoon.

Cal McNair stood over the flames, but instead of extinguishing them with new players, he placed patties and hot dogs in its place. 

Fans of the Houston Texans lined up and waited their turn to enjoy a free meal on the team after watching joint practices with the Los Angeles Rams. Thus was the return of “Cal’s Cookout” for a third straight year. 

The idea started before training camp in 2022 when McNair asked his staff how he could become more involved with the fans. Someone suggested to start answering questions on Reddit, thus leading to the annual AMA sessions done before the start of the regular season. 

Another person mentioned bringing the whole city together with food, thus the birth of “Cal’s Cookout.”

“A lot of the things that they were wanting to do, turns out they were pretty good,” McNair said on SportsRadio 610’s Payne & Pendergast show before Thursday’s practice. We’ve got a good staff with a lot of good suggestions.”

At the time, the cookout served as an olive branch between the fans and the organization. Houston was coming off another woeful season and had just fired David Culley. It was only step one of a three-part build-up to contention entering 2024. 

Now, Houston heads toward new levels of success as the breakout team of 2023. Headlined by C.J. Stroud and DeMeco Ryans, there’s a sense of urgency with the current roster to win now. 

Even if Houston brings home its first Lombardi Trophy in franchise history, the cookout and AMA session aren’t going anywhere. 

“My interactions with the fans, one-on-one, have always been really positive,” McNair said. “The fans are always respectful, they love the team and they just want the team to do well and that’s what I want.”

Texans owner Cal McNair answers it all on Reddit AMA session

Cal McNair was back on Reddit, answering questions for Houston Texans fans everywhere.

Death, taxes and a fun afternoon with Cal McNair on Reddit should be expected at this point.

The Houston Texans’ owner and CEO returned to the keyboards for a third straight year with another light-hearted event for fans during what appears to be an annual AMA (Ask Me Anything) session on Monday.

McNair embraced being everyone’s favorite owner, handing out prizes, promoting future events and sharing details of the regular season ahead. Those prizes included a DeMeco Ryans autographed jersey,  a replica gold chain worn from one of the events and even the ball he signed to promote the AMA.

McNair also announced the annual “Cal’s Cookout” would take place on Thursday after a joint practice with the Los Angeles Rams, so be ready to enjoy burgers and hot dogs on hot Houston afternoon.

As for reveals, the Texans plan on wearing four uniform combinations throughout the regular season, including their new H-Town Blue uniforms, a nod to the fans and city. The NFL allows alternate uniforms to be worn three times in a 17-game period.  

Houston will debut the H-Town Blue on Oct. 6 against the Buffalo Bills. The new Battle Red combo will be worn on Nov. 10 against the Detroit Lions. As for the third time? 

“I would circle the Christmas Day game, too!” McNair wrote, meaning the Texans will likely wear the H-Town Blue or Battle Red. 

Countless questions were asked, including Cal’s order at Whataburger and his go-to restaurant in the city. He said a No. 2 with cheese and wouldn’t reveal the location of his favorite hot spot since “everyone would go and I wouldn’t be able to get in.” 

But the best question asked? A Reddit user pondered one that pinned Cal and his wife, Hannah, against the rest of the NFL. 

“If you had to fight any of the other 31 majority owners in a bare knuckle boxing match, who would you choose? Why would it be Jim Irsay?” 

Would Irsay be the correct answer? Hannah reignited the rivalry with AFC South foe Tennessee regarding the use of Oiler Blue as hommage to the Houston Oilers in the new uniforms, which was denied by Titans ownership, so maybe they become the betting favorites. 

The McNairs ended the session before an answer could be revealed, so maybe check back in on that one come next offseason when the fingers are flying on the keyboards with more fun-filled takes.

Texans don’t expect delays to roof repair at NRG Stadium following Hurricane Beryl

The Houston Texans should be good to go for the start of the regular season inside NRG Stadium following Hurricane Beryl’s rage

As the Texans prepare for the start of the regular season, ownership prepares to find several specific panels one can’t purchase at Lowe’s or Home Depot.

A small section of NRG Stadium’s retractable roof was torn apart by the 80 mph winds of Hurricane Beryl. The impact of the Category 1 storm led to questions about whether the team would have to shift its schedule.

According to owner and CEO Cal McNair, the roof should be able to open or close over the next month while the parts come in, meaning that all should be right on schedule for the home opener against the Chicago Bears on Sept. 15.

“The studies are showing that we’ll be able to keep the roof closed or open,” McNair said Tuesday. “So, we’ll have the choice to do that. And then we have a couple of events coming up, or we’ll get to study and see how the building is able to condition.”

Hurricane Beryl’s rage isn’t the first time NRG Stadium’s roof has been impacted by severe weather. In 2008, Hurricane Ike, a Category 2 storm, tore off five roof panels, forcing Houston to reschedule its matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals to October.

Even with the minor damage, McNair said the team will be able to test out the roof with several upcoming events at the arena before Houston plays its first home preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 17.

The Texans should have a better idea of how the damage could affect the functionality of the roof by the time they face off against the Rams on Aug. 24.

“The studies on that are ongoing, and we’ll know more as we kind of work through it,” McNair said.

Texans don’t expect delays to roof repair at NRG Stadium following Hurricane Beryl

The Houston Texans should be good to go for the start of the regular season inside NRG Stadium following Hurricane Beryl’s rage

As the Texans prepare for the start of the regular season, ownership prepares to find several specific panels one can’t purchase at Lowes or Home Depot.

In the aftermath of Hurricane Beryl, a small section of NRG Stadium’s retractable roof was torn apart by the 80 mph winds. The impact of the Category 1 storm led to questions on whether the team would have to shift its schedule.

According to owner and CEO Cal McNair, the roof should be able to open or close over the next month while the parts come in, meaning that all should be right on schedule for the home opener against the Bears on Sept. 15.

“The studies are showing that we’ll be able to keep the roof closed or open,” McNair said Tuesday. “So, we’ll have the choice to do that. And then we have a couple of events coming up, or we’ll get to study and see, how the building is able to condition.”

Hurricane Beryl’s rage isn’t the first time NRG Stadium’s roof has been impacted by severe weather since opening in 2002. In 2008, Hurricane Ike, a Category 2 storm, tore off five roof panels, forcing Houston to reschedule its matchup against the Cincinnati Bengals to October.

Even with the minor damage, McNair said they’ll be able to test out the functions of the roof with several upcoming events at the arena before Houston plays its first home preseason game against the New York Giants on Aug. 17.

The Texans should have a consensus on how the damage could affect the setting by the time they face off against the Rams on Aug. 24.

“The studies on that are ongoing, and we’ll know more as we kind of work through it,” McNair said.

Texans owner Cal McNair says WR Tank Dell will make ‘full recovery’

Texans owner Cal McNair provided an update on second-year receiver Tank Dell before the start of the team’s annual golf tournament.

Houston Texans owner Cal McNair gave a positive update surrounding receiver Tank Dell after he was wounded in a shooting at a Florida bar last month.

McNair told reporters before the start of the Texans’ annual golf charity golf tournament that Dell would make a “full recovery” after suffering a flesh wound in his leg.

Dell, Houston’s third-round pick out of the University of Houston in 2023, was one of 10 victims caught in the middle of the crossfire during the shooting in Sanford, Fla.

“It’s frightening,” McNair said. “You just try not to get into those situations, and sometimes it happens. We’re just grateful that I think no one was seriously hurt.

“I saw [Dell] in the office the other and he looked good, in good spirits.”

Dell, one of Houston’s breakout stars en route to an AFC South division title, was visiting family in Daytona Beach earlier in the week before the shooting. While attending a private event, a fight broke out, eventually leading a gunman to begin firing shots into the crowd, striking Dell among others.

Since the shooting, two people have been arrested, including a 16-year-old suspect. None of the injuries sustained in the shooting were life-threatening. Dell received immediate medical attention and was released from the hospital Sunday morning.

Dell broke his silence on the event last week, posting a photo to his Instagram in the Texans’ new Battle Red uniforms with the caption: ‘God I thank you’ along with a praying hands emoji.

“He’ll have to rehab and get back to where he was,” McNair said.

As the Texans’ No. 2 target, Dell hauled in 47 passes for 709 yards and seven touchdowns in 11 games. He was on pace to break Andre Johnson’s team rookie receiving record entering December, but suffered a season-ending broken fibula against the Broncos that required surgery.

Since then, Dell’s been rehabbing in Houston and seemed to be back on track to practice before the shooting. Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said that he’s spoken to Dell several times since the shooting and that they had a “good conversation.”

“Tank will be fine,” Ryans said.

When pressed further on Dell’s status for the start of OTAs next month, Ryans declined to comment.

“I’ve answered all that about Tank — he’ll be all right,” Ryans said.

When asked further about the incident, both Ryans and the McNairs elected to keep the details private.

“That’s kind of between us and Tank,” Texans foundation vice president Hannah McNair said. “That’s a hard situation to be in. I think that’s something we’ll talk about privately. In any situation in life, you’re going to learn something from it.”

Texans receive high marks in NFLPA report card

The Houston Texans were one of the most-liked teams by their players in a litany of criteria in the NFLPA survey.

The Houston Texans are an organization on the rise.

The on-field product has soared behind momentum from Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud and Defensive Rookie of the Year Will Anderson. The good vibes around the team are readily apparent under hometown hero DeMeco Ryans, who took the Texans to an AFC South title in his first year as head coach.

Houston could be a premier destination for free agents who are interested in competing for a Super Bowl in 2024. But the team also received high marks as an overall organization, according to the NFLPA team report card.

In the latest NFLPA Club Survey, an annual report released by the Players’ Association to rate their clubs, the Texans received a full report card of A’s and B’s while ranking seventh overall in the league.

Houston’s league-wide rankings were:

  • Treatment of Families: 5th
  • Food/Cafeteria: 4th
  • Nutritionist/Diet: 3rd
  • Locker Room: 10th
  • Training Room: 7th
  • Training Staff: 7th
  • Weight Room: 20th
  • Strength Coaches: 24th
  • Team Travel: 12th
  • Head Coach:14th
  • Ownership: 16th

Players were overwhelmingly happy with the Texans organization, with exceptional ratings on their nutrition and diet services. However, players did note they wish the team had an in-house sauna as many other NFL franchises do.

It’s a true sign that the franchise has taken intentional efforts to treat their players well and serve as a world class organization under the leadership of chairman and CEO Cal McNair. Now, the team will have to see if they can parlay that momentum into continuing to build a contending-caliber roster in the offseason.

Texans owners thank Andre Johnson following Hall of Fame announcement

The McNair family celebrated their first-ever player being named to the NFL Hall of Fame.

Andre Johnson was one of the first draft selections ever when the Houston Texans took him No. 3 overall in 2003. He was just their second first-round selection in franchise history after the team had opened as an expansion franchise the year prior under the stewardship of Bob McNair.

Now, 21 years later, the franchise can celebrate Johnson as the first player to ever wear the Battle Red and Deep Steel Blue to be named the NFL Hall of Fame. He’ll be inducted in August.

The McNair family put out a statement shortly after the announcement to celebrate the best receiver in franchise history.

“Congratulations on being named to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Class of 2024! You have always been a Hall of Famer in our eyes and we are incredibly proud that you have secured your rightful place in NFL history forever.

“As a Hall of Fame player, person, friend, father and son, your accomplishments on and off the field represent the best of H-Town. You were a Once-In-A-Generation player and every time you took the field, we knew you were bringing an incomparable passion and intensity that was a joy to watch. You are at the heart of some of the most memorable moments in our team’s history, including your induction as the inaugural member of the Texans Ring of Honor. Your impact across our community is immeasurable and you continue to serve as an inspiration to our organization and fans of the game of football everywhere.

“We can’t think of anyone more deserving to be the Texans first Hall of Fame inductee and we are honored to have been a part of your journey. You will always be a Texan and now, you are officially a Hall of Famer.”

It’s the end of a three-year wait for Johnson and the end of a history-long wait for the Texans to secure their own Hall of Famer. His dominant performance across multiple eras of Houston football is more than deserving of the honor.

The McNair family worked diligently to bring football back to Houston and it was moments like these that they must have imagined all those years ago.

Texans have found the right leader in DeMeco Ryans

The Texans finally chose the right captain to steer them towards success in DeMeco Ryans.

On Jan. 9, 2023, Houston Texans Chairman and CEO Cal McNair stood in front of the media in the team auditorium and announced that he had fired head coach and defensive coordinator Lovie Smith after serving a year in the head coaching position. It was the second consecutive year that the Texans had to make such an announcement, as former head coach David Culley was fired the year prior.

“As you know, Nick (Caserio) and I spoke with Lovie (Smith) last night and informed him that we would be moving in a different direction as an organization,” McNair said. “We just felt this was the best decision for us at this time. We know the last two seasons have not been what we had hoped for, but we’re committed to building a program that’s successful long-term.

“We’ve dealt with unprecedented circumstances over the last several years, but we’re excited about our future and where we’re headed. Now we’re committed to getting this one right. Like I said, I’m excited and optimistic about what’s possible moving forward on the field. I know our team has a bright future ahead.”

Sitting in the front row, staring intently at her husband speak about the franchise’s future, was Houston Texans Foundation vice president Hannah McNair. She looked directly at the podium intently, listening to every word from general manager Nick Caserio’s mouth as he spoke about how extensive the head coaching search would be and how the McNair’s would be a massive part of the process.

“In the end, it’s going to be my recommendation to ownership, and then ownership, our dialogue with each other, and then ultimately Cal and Hannah (McNair) own the team,” said Caserio about the collaborative effort in the coaching search. “I’m going to be respectful of their wishes. I think we’re going to be respectful of each other’s perspectives and wishes, and ultimately, we’re going to do what we feel is in the best interest of the Houston Texans organization. In the end, I think the owner has the trump card. For me to think otherwise, that’s probably rude of me, but that’s just the reality of it.”

As the press conference concluded, Hannah McNair made her way toward a couple of media members, me included, and spoke freely and candidly about ensuring they would hire the right leader for the rebuilding Texans.

“We will get this right, I promise you,” she said. “We know the narrative about this team, but that is not who we are. Neither is it the way we want this franchise to be. This will be corrected very soon. Cal will make sure of that.”

Every word Mrs. McNair spoke was with passion and zeal. Her numerous conversations with her husband were not for public consumption, but she conveyed the message as best she could. What she needed the fanbase to do was be patient throughout this process, which was a lot to ask for with all the internal adversity that had transpired over the last three seasons that led to a combined 11 wins during that stretch of turmoil.

Fast forward one year later, and in the same team auditorium where the news was delivered that Smith was fired, in walks former Texans player and first-year head coach DeMeco Ryans with a smile as he prepares for his weekly press conference.

Houston headed into the final week of the regular season needing a win over the Indianapolis Colts to advance to the postseason. Still, to Ryans, it was just another game and an opportunity for his team to improve. His players followed his lead and even played with his attitude as they pulled off a gritty 23-19 win over the Colts.

The spry 39-year-old has exceeded expectations by leading the Texans back to the playoffs with a 10-7 record and capturing the AFC South Championship for the first time since 2019. The 2022 Pro Football Writers of America Assistant Coach of the Year, during his last season with the San Francisco 49ers, has reenergized the Texans fanbase and organization.

“It means everything to me to provide this opportunity for our organization, to see the smiles on everyone’s faces,” Ryans answered when asked about his season thus far. “Not just the players, but all of our support staff, the owners, Cal and Hannah (McNair). Them entrusting us. To see the smiles on Nick’s (Caserio) face. Everybody. I’m happy to be a part of it. I’m happy to see everyone smiling. I’m happy, excited about this moment, excited about this opportunity that we have in front of us. It’s a proud moment for our organization, so I’m just happy to be a part of it and happy to be along for the ride.”

The Texans ship hasn’t fully gotten back on course yet, but as Houston prepares to host the Cleveland Browns in the Wild Card playoff game at NRG Stadium on Saturday, at least it isn’t spinning in circles anymore. The executive group led by the McNair’s and Nick Caserio finally got the GPS to work and chose the right captain to steer them towards success in DeMeco Ryans.

“DeMeco has definitely brought in great energy,” Cal McNair told Texans Wire during training camp. “It has energized the town, so I am excited for that. We are really excited that DeMeco wanted to come home and finish the job that he started back in 2006 when we drafted him. He has stepped into that leadership role, and I think it is going to be a really exciting time for the Texans.”

Texans’ McNairs giving DeMeco Ryans game ball was ‘humbling’ for rookie coach

Houston Texans coach DeMeco Ryans expressed his honor in receiving a game ball from the McNair family following the 37-17 win in Week 3.

A win is what the Houston Texans needed to give credibility to rookie coach DeMeco Ryans.

The Texans closed out their September slate with a 37-17 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars Sept. 24 at EverBank Field against the defending AFC South champions.

There are still 14 games left, but collecting the first win was a boost.

The McNair family presented Ryans with one of the game balls after the win that improves Houston’s record to 1-2.

“It was humbling, and to receive the game ball after the first win, it’s humbling,” Ryans said.” I’m thankful for the McNairs and for them trusting me with the opportunity to lead this team, lead this organization and it’s just the start for us for how we wanted to look.”

Ryans segued from the moment and into the larger vision for the team.

Said Ryans: “We want to develop a winning culture here, and that was the start of it, so it was a very special moment for me, one I’ll always remember and I’m very thankful for them.”

The Texans are headed into another emotionally charged matchup as Week 4 against the Pittsburgh Steelers features the enshrinement of J.J. Watt into the Ring of Honor at halftime at NRG Stadium. Houston fans are hopeful that contest also ends with a game ball for Ryans.

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