Texans raise more than $1.4 million to fund girls flag football at all Houston ISD schools

HOUSTON – Walking the red carpet Thursday night, Texans principal owner Cal McNair and his wife, foundation vice president, Hannah McNair wore sharp dress clothes and big smiles.

The Texans held their annual Season Premiere kickoff charity event at NRG Stadium, which included a dinner, auction and casino games.

In perhaps the biggest win of the night, the team raised a record $1.4 million plus to fund girls flag football programs at all 25 Houston Independent School District high schools. Flag football is an initiative of the NFL supported by the Texans.

“This our way of saying thank you to the fans,” Hannah McNair said. “In addition to winning games, that’s by giving back to the community. This year, we’re focused on girls flag football. We couldn’t be more excited that we’re growing the program.”

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The event, partnered with Amegy Bank, bolsters a three-year commitment from the Texans toward flag football. There are 12 states that have officially sanctioned girls flag football as a high school varsity sport. The Texans hope to make Texas the next state to do so.

The McNairs were joined by general manager Nick Caserio and his wife, Kathleen, team president Greg Grissom, and multiple players, including Pro Bowl quarterback C.J. Stroud, Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil, Pro Bowl wide receiver Stefon Diggs, Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon, Pro Bowl defensive ends Danielle Hunter and Will Anderson Jr., linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair, safety Jimmie Ward, cornerback Derek Stingley Jr., offensive guard Shaq Mason, offensive tackle Tytus Howard, tight ends Dalton Schultz, Brevin Jordan and Cade Stover, running backs Dameon Pierce and Cam Akers, linebacker Jake Hansen, and wide receivers Nico Collins, Tank Dell and Robert Woods.

The Texans annual season kickoff event is chaired by Hannah McNair, Kathleen Caserio, Jamila Ryans, head coach DeMeco Ryans’ wife and Jamie Grissom, Greg Grissom’s wife. All proceeds benefited the expansion of the Texans’ girls flag football program that launched in 2023 to help provide opportunities for girls to play the game.

The Texans are looking forward to the season ahead as the defending AFC South champions. They finished 11-8 last season, winning one playoff game as Stroud led the NFL in passing yards per contest and touchdown-to-interception ratio.

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“Everyone is excited,” Hannah McNair said.

“We can’t wait for the season to start,” Cal McNair said. “Let’s go play a game.”

Working on flag football to grow the game for girls is something the Texans are collectively passionate about.

“We’re looking to expand flag football,” Kathleen Caserio said.

Nick Caserio said that one of his daughters is highly interested in playing flag football.

“Our middle daughter can’t wait to get it started,” he said.

“She’s ready to go, no question,” Kathleen Caserio said.

“Every girl deserves a chance to play the game,” linebacker Neville Hewitt said. “I think that’s great.”

“It’s very important to bring the awareness to it,” Hunter said. “We’re trying to make it a big thing in Texas.”

The Texans are off for the next few days before returning to work Monday to prepare for their Sept. 8 season opener against the Colts in Indianapolis.

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“I feel like this team is different,” Collins said. “We’re all locked in. We’ve bought into DeMeco’s message. I feel like it’s going to be a great year.”

Danielle Hunter, a Morton Ranch graduate who signed a two-year, $51 million contract during free agency, can’t wait to play in his first regular-season game for the Texans, his hometown team.

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“I grew up here,” Hunter said. “I know what this city and state is capable of when it comes to producing football players and I’m happy to be a part of it.

“Ever since I signed, the excitement, you can feel it in the air. We’re all real excited.”

Aaron Wilson is a Texans and NFL reporter for KPRC 2 and click2houston.com