​As news spread that Houston Texans co-founder and senior chair Janice McNair had died Tuesday, players, coaches and executives shared their love for the woman who helped bring the NFL back to Houston.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement”One of the sweetest souls I’ve ever been around!” Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud wrote on his Instagram story. “Thank you for your kind words and sweet smiles every time I seen you!”When McNair went into the franchise’s Ring of Honor last year alongside her late husband Bob, and former star players J.J. Watt and Andre Johnson, Watt called her “one of the kindest souls this great world has to offer.” He echoed those sentiments after her passing.”Rest in Peace Janice,” Watt wrote on social media. “All of us who were graced with your presence and kindness are better for it.”McNair, who died of natural causes at 89 years old, often was around the team, especially in the early days when she and her husband Bob, who died in 2018, got the organization off the ground for its first season in 2002. That means she was there when the Texans drafted DeMeco Ryans as a player in 2006 and when her son Cal, the franchise’s chair and CEO after his father died, brought him back as head coach in 2023.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement”Mrs. McNair was an incredible woman who will be deeply missed,” Ryans said in a statement released by the team. “As a player, she and Mr. McNair built an organization that felt like a family and it was a true honor to play for them. I will always remember the day I came home to Houston in 2023. Mrs. McNair welcomed me back into the Texans family with open arms and her signature warm smile. We shared the same vision of bringing the organization to new heights and I will continue to work every day to accomplish that goal.”Janice and Bob McNair contributed more than a half-billion dollars to charity through the Robert and Janice McNair Foundation, the Houston Texans Foundation and The Robert and Janice McNair Educational Foundation in Forest City, N.C., where Bob grew up. Janice served as director of each foundation with Hannah, Cal’s wife, now operating as vice president of the Houston Texans Foundation.”Janice was an extraordinary mentor, inspirational role model and visionary leader,” Hannah said. “Giving back has always been the heartbeat of our organization and that started with Janice. I’m honored to carry her legacy and love of sports and community forward. She will be sorely missed and remain a shining example for us all.”Janice often watched games from her wheelchair in the owner’s suite with Cal and Hannah. She also was on hand in February when the team unveiled plans for the Toro District, its new team headquarters and entertainment district that will be located in the Bridgeland community.AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisement”She was a remarkable person whose kindness and compassion left a lasting impact on our organization,” Texans general manager Nick Caserio said. “Her genui