The Houston Texans, the 32nd team in the National Football League (NFL), began play as an expansion team in 2002. Beginning in 1960, there was professional football in Houston, as the Houston Oilers were charter members of the American Football League (AFL), The franchise played in Houston until 1996. The team won two AFL championships before joining the NFL as part of the AFL-NFL merger n the late 1960s.
The team’s departure was primarily due to a combination of factors, primarily their stadium, the Astrodome, and the city refusing to build a new facility. Team owner Bud Adams moved the franchise to Tennessee, where they became the Tennessee Oilers, and later the Tennessee Titans.
The Houston Texans were founded in 2002 by businessman Bob McNair, who was the initial owner. McNair initially tried to bring hockey to the city, but was unable to. When Adams moved the Oilers to Nashville, the Texans filled the void by the departure. The city of Houston learned from their negations with Adams and build a new stadium to replace the aging Astrodome. The Texans play in NRG Stadium, which was completed in 2002 and has a seating capacity of 72,220. It was the first NFL facility to have a retractable roof. The Texans along with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR or the Rodeo) are the two primary tenants of NRG (formerly Reliant) stadium.
Don Capers hired as first coach
Dom Capers, who had coached the Carolina Panthers when they were an expansion team, was the Texans first coach. The team won their first division championship in 2011, and went to the playoffs. The team would go on to the playoffs in 2012, 2015, 2016, and 2019 as well. In 2011, 2012 and 2016 the Texans were able to advance in the playoffs, only to lose in the second round. Some of their key players from these teams included quarterback Matt Schaub, and wide receiver Andre Johnson. They were coached by Gary Kubiak.
The Texan are the only franchise to date that have never won a road playoff game, as well as the only team to never appear in a conference championship game. They are one of four franchises to have never appeared in a Super Bowl; the Cleveland Browns, Detroit Lions and Jacksonville Jaguars being the other teams to share that distinction.
Passing away of Bob McNair
Since the passing of McNair in 2018, the majority ownership of the team is controlled by his wife Janice.
The Texan have two players, Johnson and defensive lineman J.J. Watt are in the team’s Ring of Honor.
The Texans currently play in the American Football Conference (AFC) South Division along with the Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars and Tennessee Titans.
Most recently, the Texans top draft choice, quarterback C.J. Stroud, has become their starting quarterback and is the feature player for the organization.
Barry Schustermann
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