After Sunday’s season finale against the Indianapolis Colts, the Houston Texans announced that Rick Smith would take an immediate leave of absence to be with his wife who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer.
“I am eternally grateful to the McNair family for their unwavering support during this trying time,” Smith said in a statement Sunday. “This was an extremely difficult decision for me to make as I love this organization and every member of this team both on and off the field. I remain committed to our quest to bring a championship to the city of Houston, yet my family needs me now and they are my priority.