The excitement of Houston Texans training camp is contagious.
The fans are back in greater numbers than they were in 2021, and it didn’t have as much to do with the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic as it did the pessimism surrounding the team. The Texans weren’t going to have a franchise quarterback on the field — but taking up salary cap space and a roster spot — the roster was bottom tier, and their solution at coach was a 65-year-old rookie who had never been as much as a coordinator in his nearly 30 years prior.
With the promotion of defensive coordinator and associate head coach Lovie Smith to the big role, the optimism has been spreading.
Chairman and CEO Cal McNair and his wife, Hannah McNair, took part in the fun on the sixth day of training camp at Houston Methodist Training Center by giving away shirts to the fans in the stands and also signing autographs.
Texans CEO and chair Cal McNair and wife Hannah mix with the fans handing out shirts here at training camp pic.twitter.com/g9mNgXudkP
— Brooks Kubena (@BKubena) August 5, 2022
Hannah and Cal McNair spent time with Texans fans during practice, handing out T-shirts, taking photos and signing autographs. pic.twitter.com/wPzH8RFqBi
— Mark Berman (@MarkBermanFox26) August 5, 2022
#KHOU11 #Texans owner Cal McNair and his wife Hannah are in the bleachers at training camp handing out t-shirts and shaking hands with the fans pic.twitter.com/hOLL7yP8gE
— Matt Musil (@KHOUSportsMatt) August 5, 2022
The reality is the Texans haven’t won four games since 2019 and there are a bevy of question marks across the roster and coaching staff. Nevertheless the McNairs, team president Greg Grissom, and general manager Nick Caserio have done a magnificent job of generating energy and positivity surrounding the club as it carries on throughout its 20th year as the Texans.