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The Absence of Mr. McNair and its Aftermath

One thing that doesn't seem mentioned in all of this daily coverage (at least recently) toward the Texans is the fact that its original owner, Bob McNair, who passed away from cancer in November 2018.  His family continues to own the organization with his widow assuming ownership.   I write about this in that the Texans, which was arguably among the more successful organizations throughout the NFL, suddenly in the span of just one season went from division champion to its current state as one of the worst teams throughout the league.



Did Mr. McNair, although not officially acting like his own general manager like Jerry Jones does with the Cowboys, secretly managed critical elements of that organization?  Were the players and other employees of the Texans organization inspired and motivated to perform at their best by his mere presence?  I know its professional football but like any job I would imagine it would be a huge difference for people if respect was mutual.  McNair was a multi-billionaire from my understanding and contributed tens of millions left and right to numerous causes both private and private.  

Also back in the late 1990s, Houston did not have a NFL franchise anymore.  The prior NFL team, the Houston Oilers, which had played in the long-abandoned Astrodome suddenly left in 1995.  The Oilers moved to Nashville and eventually became the Tennessee Titans.  Mr. McNair who lived in Houston since 1960 and made his family fortune there led the effort to get the NFL back in Houston.  I know this from personal experience watching local Houston TV as a college student at Sam Houston State that for at least three years all of the Titans games were shown locally in place of Oilers games.  So whatever is true about the significance of Mr. McNair's role the Texans were indeed "his baby" when the team started playing games in 2002.   

Although the Texans never went to a Super Bowl, they hosted two of them in 2004 and 2017.   Typical of expansion teams, the Texans struggled to put together a winning program.  However, they eventually made the playoffs by winning the AFC South division six times throughout the 2010s (2011, 2012, 2015, 2016, 2018, 2019).   One thing I noticed that seems significant in McNair's absence is that QB Deshawn Watson's various legal complaints claim the various incidents of sexual abuse he was involved with took place within the last year or so.  Not over a lengthy period of time.  I could be wrong but I doubt that can't be wholly at random somehow.  

One thing that is clear is that Mr. McNair had the high praise of his contemporaries.  Take this video clip and see Jerry Jones of all people actually crying publicly when talking about McNair's life and legacy.  How often do you see this?  



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