Texans founder and owner McNair dies at 81
HOUSTON – Robert “Bob” McNair, billionaire founder and owner of the Houston Texans, has died. He was 81.
One of the NFL’s most influential owners, McNair had battled both leukemia and squamous cell carcinoma in recent years before dying in Houston on Friday. The team did not immediately release a cause of death, but said he died peacefully with his wife Janice and his family by his side.
“He was a very caring, thoughtful and passionate individual,” coach Bill O’Brien said in a statement. “As much as he cared about winning, I think the thing I will remember most about Mr. McNair is the way he cared about the players.”
When Houston lost the Oilers to Tennessee after the 1996 season, McNair made it his mission to return the NFL to the city. He formed Houston NFL Holdings in 1998, and on Oct. 6, 1999 he was awarded the 32nd NFL franchise. The Texans began play in 2002.
“He was the reason professional football returned to Houston and he (led) our franchise with a laser focus on honesty, integrity and high character,” team president Jamey Rootes said in a statement. “He was an amazing champion for Houston and worked hard to make sure our city received maximum value from the presence of the Texans and the NFL.”
Pats’ Brady sits out practice Friday, questionable vs. Jets: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady did not participate in the team’s last practice before Sunday’s game against the New York Jets and was listed as questionable to play.
The 41-year-old three-time NFL MVP hurt his knee when he slipped after receiving a pass in last week’s game against Tennessee. He was listed on the injury report as limited for Wednesday’s workout; the team did not practice on Thanksgiving Day.
Since taking over as the starter when Drew Bledsoe was injured in the second game of the 2001 season, only once has Brady missed games for injury, when he tore apart his knee in the 2008 opener and missed the rest of the season.
He also missed the first four games of the 2016 season to serve a suspension for his role in the team’s illegal football deflation scheme.
“When there’s a player like that (who is not) in … you’ve just got to be more alert and more aware and just got to make sure you’re on top of your job and your assignment and everything,” tight end Rob Gronkowski said.
Titans QB Mariota likely to start against Texans: Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota fully participated in Friday’s practice and is expected to start Monday night’s road game against the Houston Texans.
Mariota suffered a stinger Sunday in a 38-10 loss at Indianapolis and didn’t play in the second half of that game. He was limited in Wednesday and Thursday’s work but got the green light from head coach Mike Vrabel on Friday to start, barring an unforeseen setback.
“He felt better,” Vrabel said. “We’ve got to keep working. … He looked good today, but that’s why you practice. You try to always improve and get better and fix the things you didn’t have right. He was not limited.”
Mariota missed the first meeting between the Titans and Texans on Sept. 16 in Nashville.