Bob McNair facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Bob McNair
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McNair in 2012
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| Born | January 1, 1937 Tampa, Florida, U.S.
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| Died | November 23, 2018 (aged 81) Houston, Texas, U.S.
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| Nationality | American |
| Education | University of South Carolina |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Spouse(s) | Janice McNair |
| Children | 4; Cal McNair |
Robert C. McNair (born January 1, 1937 – died November 23, 2018) was an American businessman. He was also a philanthropist, meaning he gave money to good causes. Most famously, he owned the National Football League team, the Houston Texans.
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Early Life and School
Robert McNair grew up in Forest City, North Carolina. This is a small town in the western part of North Carolina. He went to the University of South Carolina. He graduated in 1958 with a science degree. His wife, Janice, also went to college nearby.
His Business Career
The McNairs moved to Houston, Texas in 1960. Robert McNair had a tough start in business. Many of his early companies did not succeed. But he kept trying and eventually found success.
In 1984, he started a company called Cogen Technologies. This company built power plants. He sold it in 1999. At the time of his death, he still owned other power plants. He also led The McNair Group. This company handled money and real estate. He also owned Palmetto Partners, Ltd. This company managed his family's investments. In 2000, he started Cogene Biotech Ventures. This firm invested in new science companies.
By November 2017, his wealth was about $3.8 billion.
Owner of the Houston Texans
Robert McNair really wanted to bring the NFL back to Houston. The city's old team, the Oilers, had moved away. So, in 1998, McNair created Houston NFL Holdings.
On October 6, 1999, the NFL announced good news. McNair was given the chance to start a new team. This team became the Houston Texans. They started playing in 2002. The Texans won their first division title in 2011. They won four titles in six seasons. McNair also helped bring the Super Bowl to Houston. Super Bowl XXXVIII was there in 2004. Super Bowl LI was there in 2017.
In 2017, some Texans players knelt during the national anthem. This was part of wider protests by NFL players. McNair made a comment about the protests. He later apologized for his words. He said he was not talking about the players. He meant the relationship between the league and team owners. This was the first time Texans players had knelt during the anthem.
Helping Others and Awards
Robert McNair was a member of the Texas Business Hall of Fame. He also served on many important boards. These included Rice University and Baylor College of Medicine. He also supported the Houston Grand Opera.
In 2007, McNair gave $100 million to Baylor College of Medicine. This money helped them hire top scientists. He received the Torch of Liberty Award. This award is from the Anti-Defamation League. McNair also supported the Sigma Chi's Horizons leadership program. He gave over $1 million to build McNair Field. This baseball field is in his hometown. He even threw out the first pitch there in 2008.
In 1998, the McNairs started a scholarship program. It was for students at the University of South Carolina. The university also gave him an honorary degree.
McNair Foundations
The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation started in 2015. It helps create centers for entrepreneurship at universities. These centers teach students how to start businesses. By 2016, they had centers at several colleges. These included Columbia College and Rice University.
In 1989, he and his wife started another foundation. It was called the Robert and Janice McNair Educational Foundation. Its goal was to help high school graduates. It helped students from Rutherford County go to college. The foundation has given about $2.6 million in financial aid.
Political Support
Robert McNair also supported political causes. He gave money to different Republican Party candidates. In 2015, he gave money to a group in Houston. This group wanted to change a city law. After some criticism, McNair took back his donation.
His Family and Passing
Robert McNair and his wife Janice had four children. Their sons were Cal and Cary. Their daughters were Ruth and Melissa.
Robert McNair passed away on November 23, 2018. He had been battling different cancers since 1994. In his last months, he was less involved with the Texans team. After his death, his wife Janice became the main owner of the Texans. Their son Cal McNair became the team's president and CEO. He now handles the team's daily work.
