Cal McNair treats Texans fans with second annual ‘Cal’s Cookout’

Houston Texans chairman Cal McNair took part in the second annual “Cal’s Cookout” where he grilled hamburgers and hot dogs for fans.

HOUSTON — The Houston Texans and the McNairs had a special treat for fans after the last open practice Thursday.

Chairman and CEO Cal McNair and his wife Hannah, the Houston Texans Foundation Vice President, provided free hamburgers and hot dogs as part of “Cal’s Cookout,” presented by H-E-B. It was the second consecutive year the Texans provided meals for the fans as a token of appreciation for their support of the team.

“It feels great anytime we are around the fans,” said Cal McNair as he took a break from the grill to talk with the media. “We see the fans out here day after day during open practice, and we just wanted to show our appreciation.”

Texans Wire beat reporter Brian Barefield joined Mr. McNair on the grill along with Sports Radio 610 hosts Ron Hughley and Sean Pendergast.

After back-to-back days of joint practices against the Miami Dolphins, the Texans will have a day off before playing their preseason home opener on Saturday at NRG Stadium against the Dolphins. It will be the first time the fans will see rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud outside of the practice field. He was named the starter by Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans after practice on Thursday.

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Texans’ Janice McNair still taking active role with team

Houston Texans senior chair and principal owner Janice McNair is still very much a part of the team despite Cal McNair being more well known.

When Houston Texans founder Bob McNair passed away in November 2018, chairman and CEO Cal McNair started to become more of the public face of the franchise. In the past two years, Texans Foundation vice president Hannah McNair also become part of the presentation of ownership.

However, Texans senior chair and principal owner Janice McNair is still taking an active part in the operations of the franchise.

Janice McNair, 86, was at Texans mandatory minicamp June 13 and took in the practice at Houston Methodist Training Center.

“It’s very cool,” Cal McNair said. “She loves the team, loves football and couldn’t wait to get out here. So, we’re excited to have her.”

Minicamp wasn’t the only Texans football event that Janice McNair attended this offseason.

Said Hannah McNair: “She was in the draft room. She loved it. She loves this. This is her other family. We’re all her family. She’s just as passionate about this as anybody. Her and Bob brought this here, so I would say they’re excited.”

The McNairs have also used the stage of pro football to give back to the greater Houston area. During the COVID-19 lockdowns, Janice McNair pledged $1 million as part of rent relief.

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Texans chairman Cal McNair says team is ‘coming along really well’ with DeMeco Ryans

Houston Texans chairman and CEO Cal McNair is pleased with the progress thus far under new coach DeMeco Ryans.

The Houston Texans went in a new direction for the third time in as many seasons as they sought a new coach.

Rather than going with an older coach who had experience, the Texans went with a younger coach who was taking his first shot as the man in charge on the sidelines.

Nothing energized the Texans organization and fan base more than the hiring of former two-time Pro Bowl linebacker DeMeco Ryans. Not only was “Cap” a fan favorite, but he was a formidable defensive coordinator in his own right with the San Francisco 49ers, who had appeared in the NFC Championship Game from 2021-22.

Four and a half months into the Ryans era, chairman and CEO Cal McNair can see the changes on the field — albeit artificial turf at Houston Methodist Training Center at that.

“The team is getting better,” McNair said at mandatory minicamp Tuesday. “That’s really what we want to see through this time period. What he says is iron sharpens iron, so, he has the guys working against each other, trying to get better. We’re looking forward to getting to training camp which is where it really gets started for the season. It’s coming along really well.”

Although Ryans is the reigning AP NFL Assistant Coach of the Year and his wheelhouse is defense, McNair is fascinated by the potential on the other side with new offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.

“I love the offense,” said McNair. “I’m a big fan of this offense. Excited to see the defense come together, under DeMeco. Watching the team really come together is really exciting for me because it’s all about the team coming together and playing great ball.”

The last time the Texans avoided a double-digit losing season was 2019. While the prospects are more difficult in the 17th game era, stacking more than four wins a season would be a welcomed product for Clutch City sports fans.

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Houston Texans take No. 6 in Forbes’ list of most profitable sports franchises worldwide

The Houston Texans are the sixth-most profitable sports franchise in the world according to the latest valuations from Forbes.

The Houston Texans may have been atrocious on the field, but their earnings away from the game have been world class.

According to Mike Ozanian from Forbes, the Texans are the sixth-most profitable sports franchise in the world with $356 million banked over the past three years.

The NFL team at the northern terminus of Interstate 45 was the most profitable with $1.2 billion. The New England Patriots were second at $623 million. Among NFL teams, the Texans are the third-most profitable.

Coming in at No. 3 overall on the list was Premier League’s Tottenham Hotspur at $414 million. Manchester United was No. 5 at $403 million.

Across the rest of the NFL, the New York Giants were No. 9 at $333 million. The Los Angeles Rams were No. 11 at $318 million. Washington — still owned by Dan Snyder — came in No. 13 at $290 million. The Chicago Bears were No. 15 at $288 million. The Jacksonville Jaguars were No. 17 at $281 million.

All of the NFC East’s teams were represented on the list.

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Report: Texans uniform redesign is ‘on track’

The Houston Texans are reportedly “on track” with their uniform redesigns.

The Houston Texans are on schedule with their uniform redesigns.

According to Greg Bailey from ABC 13 [KTRK-TV], the Texans have three new uniforms coming and are still on track to have the uniforms in time for the 2024 season.

Texans chairman and CEO Cal McNair and Texans Foundation vice president Hannah McNair indicated that there is a third uniform referred to as “the other.”

It is anyone’s guess as to what the third uniform would be. Houston sports fans may still hold out hope that the Texans in some way honor the Houston Oilers with a color scheme reminiscent of the “Luv Ya Blue” era.

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Texans chairman and CEO Cal McNair says QB C.J. Stroud will ‘earn his spot’

Houston Texans chairman and CEO Cal McNair says rookie QB C.J. Stroud won’t be handed a starting job, but that he will have to “earn his spot.”

The Houston Texans using their No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft to select C.J. Stroud signaled the beginning of a new era at quarterback.

However, just because the Texans made a significant capital investment doesn’t mean that Stroud won’t have to prove himself.

Cal McNair fielded questions ahead of the club’s 20th annual charity golf tournament Monday, and the chairman and CEO echoed a sentiment similar to what general manager Nick Caserio shared.

“I think that’s up to him and how he plays and the coaches, how they see him,” McNair said via Aaron Wilson of KPRC-TV. “He’ll earn his spot, wherever that is. And he’ll feel like he’s earned it, and the team will feel like he’s earned wherever he winds up.”

The competition shouldn’t be too stiff for a talented passer such as Stroud. Houston has third-year Davis Mills along with 12-year journeyman Case Keenum on the roster. The Texans also claimed E.J. Perry off waivers earlier in the offseason.

In Stroud’s introductory press conference on April 28, the former Buckeye understood nothing would be handed to him, and he relished the challenge.

“I know nothing is going to be given to me,” Stroud said. “Everything has to be earned. That’s how it’s been my whole life. That’s how it’s going to continue to be. That’s what makes me a great player. I’m excited to get started.”

The Texans raised over $415,000 for charities supported by the team, which include, but are not limited to, the Boys & Girls Club, Houston Food Bank and YMCA.

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Cal McNair says Texans are asking for a lot from next QB

Houston Texans chairman and CEO Cal McNair is well aware of how much the franchise will ask of their next quarterback.

The last three significant needs on the Houston Texans’ roster are quarterback, receiver, and defensive end.

One can argue as to the placement of receiver and defensive end, but neither will supplant quarterback as the top position on the roster. Assuredly Houston’s No. 2 overall pick will be used on whoever the Carolina Panthers don’t take at quarterback atop the 2023 NFL draft.

Texans chairman and CEO Cal McNair spoke with reporters at the NFL owners meetings in Phoenix and acknowledged that the organization will undoubtedly have great expectations on their next young signal caller.

“So much is asked for the quarterback position,” McNair said via Aaron Wilson from KPRC-TV. “Winning, of course, is part of it, leading the team, being the face of the franchise. Saying all these things, it’s a lot that we’re asking for from this guy. So, we are looking forward to having all of those things in place. However we get there, I’m not sure how we’re going to get there, but looking forward to it.”

Coach DeMeco Ryans said the Texans would bring in Alabama quarterback Bryce Young and Ohio State signal caller C.J. Stroud for a visit inside NRG Stadium. The Texans can better clarify their expectations during such meetings.

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LOOK: Texans’ Cal and Hannah McNair attend Rockets game with Andre Johnson

Houston Texans chairman Cal McNair and VP of the Texans Foundation Hannah McNair were at a Houston Rockets game with legendary WR Andre Johnson.

Houston Texans chairman and CEO Cal McNair and his wife, Hannah McNair, the vice president of the Texans Foundation, were taking in the Houston Rockets versus Miami Heat Thursday night at the Toyota Center.

The McNairs were joined by former Texans receiver Andre Johnson, who is a semifinalist again for the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Week 15 is “homecoming” for the Texans as they host the Kansas City Chiefs. Johnson will be in attendance at the game.

The last time Johnson was at a Texans homecoming game was Week 16 against the Los Angeles Chargers. The COVID-depleted 3-11 Texans pulled off the upset of the 8-6 Chargers at NRG Stadium.

Texans’ Cal McNair embraces chairman and CEO role with firing of Jack Easterby

According to @johnhcrumpler, Houston Texans chairman and CEO Cal McNair has embraced being more of a leader by firing Jack Easterby.

It’s been a tumultuous first three seasons for Cal McNair as CEO & Chairman of the Houston Texans.

Since his father, Bob McNair, died in November of 2018, Cal oversaw the Texans epic playoff collapse against the Kansas City Chiefs and the subsequent dismantling of the franchise under Bill O’Brien. Deandre Hopkins was traded, JJ Watt was released, and the relationship with franchise quarterback Deshaun Watson became so toxic that he was ultimately traded to the Cleveland Brown.

McNair, to his credit, has done his best to move on from the corpse of the awful 2020 season. Watson was traded as swiftly as possible and featured in no promotional material during 2021 or 2022. Nick Caserio, very well respected from his tenure in New England, was brought in to serve as General Manager. The team cycled through Baltimore Ravens’ wide receiver coach David Culley before opting instead to elevate Lovie Smith to the position.

On the frontlines, despite two consecutive 4-win seasons, McNair has done his best to win back the love of the fanbase and fight declining season ticket sales. The team created alternate uniforms for the first time in franchise history, preached a message of needing their fan support to win, and McNair himself even went as far as to grill burgers for fans after practice one day.

Despite everything, McNair’s entire tenure had one thing in common: Jack Easterby.

The executive vice president of football operations survived an Sports’ Illustrated hit piece that hinted at immense involvement in the football operations and seemingly played a huge hand in the hiring of Caserio. Easterby’s hand was also evident in the head coaching searches of both 2021 and 2022. His relationship and shared faith with former quarterback Josh McCown, a backup for Houston in 2020, was so strong that McCown was reported as a potential favorite for the job despite no coaching experience at either the NFL or college level.

Easterby may have been brought on at the desire of Bill O’Brien but even in the face of the team’s complete and total attempt to erase that era of team history… his job was seemingly unstable.

McNair finally shut down that narrative on Monday.

Easterby was relieved of all responsibilities with the Houston Texans in a move that the team published as ‘mutual.’ Many in the local media, including long time Houston Chronicle reporter John McClain, were quick to note that the parting was likely anything but that.

Even if the decision came two years too late, the move signals a new era for Houston and most importantly a new era for McNair as CEO of the Texans.

The firing not only removes a toxic presence and reminder of the Texans’ past from the building, but it also puts the impetus on McNair. It’s a sign of strength and independence of his young tenure as CEO that McNair is ready to absorb both the full responsibilities and independence that come with serving as the functional owner of the team. These are officially Cal McNair’s Texans in both word and deed.

There’s been no lack of desire nor lack of effort to try to win during the last three seasons. The biggest obstacles have been correcting the mistakes of the past and selecting the right people to make the choices to come. Easterby’s removal is one that signals McNair’s value to both have ownership in that process and to also put football-people at the forefront of making football-decisions.

It will certainly take time for Caserio to rebuild the roster and Houston will need to find a franchise quarterback before they once again can have Super Bowl aspirations. However, for the time being, McNair has done everything possible in his corner to make Houston a winner.

Texans’ Cal McNair says changing uniforms ‘definitely on the table’

Houston Texans chairman and CEO Cal McNair indicated in a Reddit AMA that the team is already looking at changing the uniforms.

Houston Texans chairman and CEO Cal McNair indicated in a Reddit AMA (ask me anything) Sept. 7 that the club is exploring the notion of changing the team’s uniforms.

A user asked McNair: “Would you ever consider changing the uniform designs? Not the colors, per se, but just the design of the uniforms? It may be the thing I hear most often.”

McNair responded back: “It’s definitely on the table! In fact, we have already engaged the NFL to better understand the process to formally start a fan research study and the timeline and guidelines if the fan research steered towards change. No promises but we will challenge everything, and we won’t be afraid to evolve. Let me know what you hope to see!”

The Texans have had the same uniforms since their 2002 inception — sans the Color Rush jerseys which debuted in 2017.