Heart of Houston A Year We Will All Remember
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HAT A YE AR! WHAT A YE AR! WHAT A YE AR! 2020 has been like none other we have experienced—a pandemic, losses, gains, changes, masks, heroism and an election... Our community continues to struggle with the effects of shutdowns and slowdowns, and Houstonians continue to openheartedly support the community.
by Warner Roberts Our Houston Rockets fell to the L.A. Lakers in the Western Conference semifinals and Coach Mike D’Antoni stepped down as the Rockets’ coach. Our Houston Astros saw A. J. Hinch, manager, fired for his role in the sign-stealing in past seasons. And, they fell to the Tampa Bay Rays in playoffs. Our Houston Texans also saw major changes. Bill O’Brian, Texans head coach and general manager, was fired after a 0-4 start to the season. The Houston Texans Foundation donated $100,000 to launch the Greater Houston COVID-19 Recovery Fund Texas partnering with the United Way of Greater Houston and the Greater Houston Community Foundation.
It’s finally time to vote! I heard this on a podcast this morning, and I always get chill bumps when I hear the truth. The statement immediately covered me with chill bumps. The moderator was saying that if Martians landed on our planet, actually in our cities, all over the country and the world, without hesitation, we would all come together to protect our families, to safeguard our friends and even strangers alike. We would spring into action to protect everyone in our vicinity. We wouldn’t stop to ask whether they were Republican, Democrat or Independent. We wouldn’t stop to see if they were Black, White, Asian, Indian, Italian, Greek, Iranian, Palestinian, Israeli, Chinese and on and on. We would jump in the same fox holes and unite. Our human being instinct would kick in as well as our love for humanity. We would instinctively do our best to protect each other. A great analogy is 9/11 in New York City. The human being in all of us kicked in, and humans did everything they could to help each other. No questions asked. As this important election winds down and the dust settles, we must remember our best selves. We must remember how important it is to love each other, through thick and thin. Bottom line is that we are all alike, we truly are each other and belong to each other. We don’t really need a disaster to remind us and unite us. Have you done something for somebody today?
Houston Texans’ Owner a True Gift to Our City One of the most generous people who ever lived in our city is Janice Suber McNair, the co-founder and senior chair of the Houston Texans and co-founder of McNair Interests. Following her husband Robert McNair’s death in 2018, Janice became the team’s principal owner. Her son, Cal McNair, is the current CEO and day-to-day head of the franchise. But, it is Janice who represents the Texans at NFL owners meetings and other league functions. She is one of only ten female NFL team owners. Since moving to Houston in 1960, Janice has raised four children and embarked on a lifelong career of giving back to the community. She is also a
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longtime breast cancer survivor. The McNairs have been champions of philanthropy for decades. Combined contributions made through The Robert and Janice McNair Foundation, Houston Texans Foundation and The McNair Educational Foundation total more than a half billion dollars to charity. With the inception of the Texans in 2002, the McNairs started the Houston Texans Foundation. Since 2002, more than $35 million has been raised through annual fundraising events, disaster response programs, United Way campaigns and partnerships with nonprofit organizations.
This year, Janice and the McNair family donated $500,000 to Interfaith Ministries, Meals-on-Wheels and the Houston Food Bank. The Houston Texans Foundation donated $100,000 to launch the Greater Houston COVID-19 Recovery Fund Texas partnering with the United Way of Greater Houston and the Greater Houston Community Foundation. When I asked her what was the hardest part of owning an NFL team, she said: “The hardest part about being an NFL owner is losing games. The best part about being an NFL owner is winning games.” Win or lose, Janice, you are our hero!
PHOTO BY BIGSTOCK
Janice McNair wins our hearts every time.
