Tag: Texans president

Texans to hold moment of silence for former team president Jamey Rootes against the 49ers

The Houston Texans will hold a moment of silence for former team president Jamey Rootes before their preseason finale against the San Francisco 49ers.

The Houston Texans will hold a moment of silence for former team president Jamey Rootes Thursday night in the preseason finale against the San Francisco 49ers at NRG Stadium.

Rootes, who was the franchise’s first team president until Feb. 2021, passed away at the age of 56.

In addition to the moment of silence, the Houston Texans Foundation has partnered with Rootes’ family to establish the Jamey Rootes Leadership Scholarship Fund. The fund will help honor his legacy of supporting and shaping leaders, according to a team release.

The fund will provide scholarships to high school and college students who exemplify leadership qualities to further their education. Donations can be made online at www.HoustonTexans.com/JRLeadershipFund.

Janice, Hannah and Cal McNair will match the first $50,000 contributed to the fund in memory of Rootes and his leadership and contributions to the Texans.

“A 20-year-old friendship, Jamey led the Houston Texans business department at a very high level for two decades,” chairman and CEO Cal McNair told reporters on Aug. 23. “He was also really involved with Houston and giving back, and one of his favorites was United Way. He’ll be missed by his Texans family, he’ll be missed by the Houston community and our sincere condolences go to his family, his wife Melissa and kids, as we all work through a difficult time.”

Former Texans president Jamey Rootes passes away at age 56

Former Houston Texans president Jamey Rootes passed away at the age of 56.

Former Houston Texans president Jamey Rootes passed away at the age of 56 Monday night.

Rootes was the first president of the franchise and retired in February 2021. Rootes was responsible for the business operation of the Texans and worked closely with founder Bob McNair.

The Texans released a statement following the passing of Rootes.

“We are heartbroken to learn that former Houston Texans President Jamey Rootes has passed away,” a statement from the McNair family read. “For two decades, Jamey led our business operations with an unwavering commitment to Houston and the Houston Texans. We are grateful for his steadfast leadership and immeasurable contributions to our team. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with Jamey’s wife, Melissa, and their two children during this extremely difficult time.”

According to John McClain, Rootes got his start with the Texans based on a recommendation from former Kansas City Chiefs founder Lamar Hunt.

 

According to ABC 13 [KTRK-TV], Rootes’ wife, Melissa Wildgen Rootes said her husband passed away on Sunday after “a battle with mental health issues.”

“Jamey was best known for his devotion to his family and friends but was also former President of Houston Texans, retiring in 2021,” Rootes wrote. “Our family is requesting privacy and will not be responding to media inquiries. The details of a celebration of Jamey’s life will be announced at a later date. If you or a loved are thinking about suicide, or experiencing a health crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline right now at 1-800-273-8255.”

After leaving the Texans, Rootes got back into pro soccer by joining the Houston Dynamo. Rootes also taught at Sam Houston State and joined the faculty at Rice a week prior to his death.

Houston Texans become first NFL team to sell suite through digital currency

The Houston Texans have become the first team in the NFL to sell a suite through digital currency thanks to their new partnership with BitWallet.

The Houston Texans have finally achieved a “first” in the Greg Grissom era.

The Texans announced Tuesday they are partnering with Houston-based crypocurrency company BitWallet to have them become the official digital currency wallet of the team.

Texans fans will have an opportunity to purchase single-game suites with cryptocurrency, using BitWallet as the intermediary. The Texans are now the first team in the NFL that has sold a suite through digital currency.

Houston-based full-service digital marketing agency EWR Digital was the purchaser of the suite.

“We are proud to partner with BitWallet to offer an exciting option for our fans who are looking to enjoy Texans game day in one of our suites,” Texans president Greg Grissom said. “BitWallet is a perfect collaborator as we continue our efforts to move our organization forward in new and innovative ways.”

BitWallet CEO John T. Perrone says that he is “honored” that BitWallet is the first to offer such a service for Texans fans.

“Digital currency has become a primary means of payment and by partnering with BitWallet, the Texans are leading the way in the NFL,” Perrone said.

The partnership goes into effect immediately. For more information, visit www.bitwallet.org.

Houston Texans, Caesars Entertainment roll the dice on new partnership

The Houston Texans have formed a partnership to make Caesers Entertainment the official casino partner of the Texans.

The Houston Texans announced Thursday a new multi-year partnership with Caesars Entertainment.

The agreement, which goes into effect immediately before the 2021 NFL season kicks off, makes Caesars the official casino partner of the Texans.

“I’m thrilled to launch this multi-year partnership with Caesars Entertainment,” Texans president Greg Grissom said in a statement. “It aligns perfectly with our commitment to creating memorable experiences for our fans. We have some great events lined up for this upcoming season that fans will not want to miss, and this partnership with Caesars is just another example of how we continue to look for ways to enhance the experience.”

The agreement comes with Caesars Rewards, a customer loyalty program, sponsoring the free-to-play “Schedule Pick ‘Em” game, which will be on the official Texans mobile application.

Additionally, at each game, a season ticket holder will be selected for an all-inclusive trip to Las Vegas. The value of the trip increases each time the Texans score.

“Caesars Entertainment is committed to expanding relationships with leagues and professional sports teams, and we’re thrilled to team up with the Houston Texans,” Caesars Digital co-president Chris Holdren said. “We look forward to creating extraordinary experiences for Texans fans by doing what we do best, leveraging Caesars Entertainment’s vast portfolio of casino, hospitality, entertainment, and sports expertise.”

Caesars Rewards members also get a chance to watch the Texans inside a luxury suite at NRG Stadium.

Texans host fans at training camp for first time since 2019

The Houston Texans took part in “Back Together Saturday,” an NFL event celebrating having fans at training camp for the first time since 2019.

The NFL celebrated having fans across the country return to training camp for the first time since 2019.

The Houston Texans hosted fans in the stands at Houston Methodist Training Center during “Back Together Saturday.” The Texans hosted a private day for youth football. teams from the 2021 Showcase League at camp.

“Today is so special as we have all of our youth football teams throughout the city of Houston here, and we’re so excited to welcome them to training camp where we have people out here watching our team for the first time in person since 2019,” Texans president Greg Grissom told Mark Berman of Fox 26 [KRIV-26]. “It’s just exciting, exciting day to allow these families and these young players to connect back to the feelings of football that make our game so great.”

 

The Texans will take Sunday off before getting back to work at 9:00 a.m. Central Time Monday for their fifth training camp practic.

 

Former Texans president Jamey Rootes takes job as new Houston Dynamo CEO

Former Houston Texans president Jamey Rootes has taken a job as the new CEO for the Houston Dynamo and Houston Dash, going back to soccer.

Jamey Rootes was riding off into the sunset in 2021.

He had the new book and he was going to stay active serving the Board of Directors of the Greater Houston Partnership and the United Way of Greater Houston. Rootes was also going to teach undergraduates at the University of Houston’s C.T. Bauer College of Business, a job he had already taken in January.

Sports appeared to be behind the man who had been with the Texans since 2000. Rootes was in his reflection and instruction phase after accomplishing so much sports wise in Clutch City.

Not so fast.

According to Vanessa Richardson of KPRC-TV in Houston, the former Texans president is going back to his roots and joining the Houston Dynamo and Houston Dash as their new chief executive officer.

Before Rootes took the job to help Bob McNair bring the NFL back to Houston, he was the president and general manager of the Columbus Crew, also of Major League Soccer.

That Rootes took a job within the same city and is back in pro sports opens the question as to whether the Texans burned out one of their longest-tenured employees who was instrumental in building a winner over a 20-year arch.

The consolation for the Texans is that the new president, Greg Grissom, is a front office boss that learned plenty from the first ever Texans president.

“I got the opportunity to work for Jamey for almost 20 years,” Grissom told reporters on May 10 at the team’s charity golf classic. “What did I learn? I think it’s countless, too much to even ever really measure. He just taught me about doing the right thing, treating people the right way and investing back in our team and our teammates that work with us every day and then obviously our community as a whole.

“Jamey was a phenomenal mentor to me. I can’t thank him enough for the opportunities that he has helped me grow into. Very thankful for him.”

Houston sports benefits from keeping one of their more successful front office executives in the fold in Rootes. The Texans are hopeful one of his understudies can continue to build upon the foundation Rootes laid.

New Texans president Greg Grissom working with mindset to pack NRG Stadium in 2021

New Houston Texans team president Greg Grissom hopes to fill NRG Stadium with fans in 2021.

Due to the crisis of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Houston Texans were one of 19 teams that allowed fans at their home games during the 2020 NFL season. The Texans set a 20% capacity inside NRG Stadium while averaging 12,400 fans in seven of the eight home games played. The max capacity for NRG Stadium is 71,795.

In March, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said the league plans to have full stadiums in 2021, and the Texans are moving along with the plan in place.

“That’s our intention right now,” first-year team president Greg Grissom said on Monday. “We’re working with that mindset, and the NFL’s working with that mindset in all the venues. We feel like by the time we get to August that we’ll be in a position to do that. And if for some reason, we aren’t and there’s a reason not to, then we’ll adjust our plan — just like we did last year.”

Grissom acknowledged that the goal for the Texans is to sell out every home game next season, which has always been the organization’s intention. Despite the lack of expectations surrounding the on-field talent, Grissom stated people are still interested in the Texans and excited.

Last year, the Texans finished the season with the league’s sixth-highest attendance, with a total of 86,800 spectators inside NRG Stadium. Houston’s 33-16 Week 2 loss to the Baltimore Ravens was the only game the Texans played without fans in the stands.

“I think 2021 is just about getting it back going again and kind of adjusting to everything, getting people used to coming to football games again,” Grissom said. “Tailgating on Sundays and having those experiences that we all know and love, and then kind of get back as we move forward on how we can build and continue to grow as we have always done.”

Fans who are looking forward to making their return back to NRG Stadium can start planning on which games they would like to attend on Wednesday, during the NFL release of the 2021 schedule. In addition to their AFC South counterparts, the Texans will have home games against the Chargers, Jets, Patriots, Rams and Seahawks.

Texans promote former VP Greg Grissom to team president

The Houston Texans have announced their promotion of vice president Greg Grissom to the role of team president.

Significant changes within the Houston Texans organization are taking place beyond the gridiron.

The Texans announced on Wednesday the promotion of Greg Grissom to team president. Grisson began working for the Texans in 2002 as the corporate development manager. He most recently served as Houston’s Senior Vice President Of Corporate Development from 2017-2021, prior to his promotion.

“Greg’s extensive industry knowledge is evident by the meaningful relationships he continues to develop with our partners, our community and Texans teammates,” Chairman and CEO Cal McNair said in a statement. “While going through the interview process, Greg’s intentional, forward-thinking approach showed an authenticity and commitment to championship-caliber excellence that made him the ideal choice to take on this role.”

Grissom will be the second president in team history following the departure of Jamey Rootes. Rootes held the role of the Texans team president for 20 years before resigning in early-February.

According to the Texans, Grissom will oversee the direction and management of all business operations — which includes marketing, communications, broadcasting, ticket sales and many other duties.

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Texans considering 2 internal, 3 external candidates for team president

The Houston Texans are considering two internal candidates and three external candidates as their second team president in team history.

The Houston Texans are hard at work looking for the second team president in franchise history after the departure of Jamey Rootes in February.

According to Mark Berman of Fox 26 [KRIV-TV], the Texans are looking at two internal candidates and three external candidates. The two internal candidates are chief marketing officer Jennifer Davenport and senior vice president, corporate development Greg Grissom.

Davenport has been with the team since December of 2010, and her job involves monitoring the usage of the team’s brand and all related advertising. Davenport, according to her biography on the team website, “also oversees all gameday entertainment, community development, the Houston Texans Foundation, youth football initiatives, targeted fan development, merchandise sales and regional brand growth, including broadcast partnerships.”

The most intriguing part of Davenport’s resume is she worked with the Houston Rockets from 2006-10 and part of her job was fan development. In other words, she has a comprehensive view of how Houston sports fans have to be feeling in 2021 with the Deshaun Watson saga and James Harden eating his way to Brooklyn. If the Astros don’t come out on fire in 2021, it will be a dark winter for Houston sports fans.

Where Grissom is a great candidate is he has been with the team since 2002 and has worked his way up through the organization when he was first part of the business operations staff. Much like Davenport, as the overseer of sales for the team’s suites at NRG Stadium, Grissom can measure the pulse of fan and sponsor interest in the team. Going back to being doormats in the AFC South won’t be acceptable after the team has come a game away from the AFC Championship Game four times in the past decade.

The Texans will have to find the right candidate to build upon the legacy Rootes laid down. Cal McNair will need to be diligent and choose the right president who can lead the Texans into a new era of pro football excellence in the city of Houston.

What is next for Texans with president Jamey Rootes resigning?

With Houston Texans president Jamey Rootes resigning, where does the club go from here?

Houston Texans president Jamey Rootes will be resigning from the team in the coming weeks, which leaves another void in leadership the club will have to fill after addressing the general manager and coaching vacancies in January.

Chairman and CEO Cal McNair is confident they will be able to build upon the rudiments of success Rootes laid in his tenure with the club from 2000-21 — essentially the entire existence of the franchise.

“We will now build upon this foundation and move forward with a bold and unwavering commitment to winning championships, creating memorable experiences for our fans, and doing great things for Houston,” McNair said.

According to a statement from the Texans, the club will start a search for a new president immediately, and it will include, “a diverse slate of candidates,” that will also include internal candidates from the business side of the Texans.