Robert McNair, who owned the Houston Texans, died at the age of 81 on Friday in Houston, the team announced. Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United owner Arthur Blank released the following statement:
"First and foremost, on behalf of the Atlanta Falcons and my family, our thoughts and prayers are with Janice, the entire McNair family and all the Texans fans at this time of tremendous loss. I was fortunate to sit across from Bob at NFL league and committee meetings for 17 years and got to know him not only as a business partner, but as a dear and trusted friend. He was a great listener, a brilliant thinker who brought order to chaos and someone who cared very deeply for the city of Houston and his team. His drive to bring the NFL back to Houston left a lasting impression on me and showed all of us how much he cared for the city and just how much the NFL means to the fans there. Bob truly lived a life of purpose and leaves a lasting legacy marked by his love of family, his city and countless people whose lives were positively impacted by his charitable heart."
