Houston Texans owner Bob McNair died Friday at age 81, the team announced.
"It is with deep sadness that we announce Houston Texans Founder, Senior Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and philanthropist, Robert C. McNair passed away peacefully in Houston today with his loving wife, Janice, and his family by his side," the team wrote.
McNair had been a resident of Houston since 1960. Committed to bringing back an NFL franchise to his city after the Oilers left for Tennessee following the 1996 season, McNair formed Houston NFL Holdings in 1998 and was awarded the league's 32nd franchise in 1999.