Bob McNair Proves Again Houston Football Is Cursed By Owners

The Houston Texans are embroiled in a controversy. Surprisingly enough it has nothing to do with a player or coach. In fact it’s their owner.

Bob McNair has controlled the franchise since its inception back in 2002. He was awarded the rights in 1999. So this is a venture he’s been behind for 18 years and counting. One would imagine that length of time would get him acquainted with the types of people he employs, specifically in regards to the players. Yet that doesn’t seem to be the case.

The 79-year old got himself into boiling hot water when he commented on the ongoing situation between the NFL and the players regarding the national anthem protests. It became clear he was against the idea of players kneeling. That in itself wasn’t so bad. Unfortunately the way he phrased his concerns drew plenty of flak, and led to questions about just where McNair stands.

McNair joins Bud Adams on list of owners hurting Houston football

Truth be told this is merely the latest incident that has lost McNair points among not only his own players but players everywhere. He’s reportedly known to be the owner who donated the largest sum to Donald Trump’s presidential campaign. It’s rumored he played a big role in the team signing quarterback Brock Osweiler last year, something that did not go well at all. These issues have eaten in to the idea that he was fairly moderate owner.

He’s starting to get a whiff of that Bud Adams owner. Of course he has a ways to go before he reaches that level but the horizon is in view. Adams is the posterchild of owner woes in Houston football. Though he brought the pro game to the city, he’s also the one who held it back in many ways. Adams had a reputation for micromanagement and would find ways to get out of spending money if he could. To top it off he had an impulsive side that led to making certain coaching or personnel decisions that did more harm than good.

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A common thread throughout Houston football history is that just when it seems the team has something going, the owner finds a way to take air out of the tires. It was true of Adams and now it’s true of McNair. The Texans players almost walked out of practice over his comments and star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins actually did. Given the high expectations for this team, this problem could not have come at a worse time.