Before the 20th Houston Texans Charity Golf Classic on Monday, owners Cal and Hannah McNair and coach DeMeco Ryans met with members of the media. Cal McNair and Ryans were quizzed on the schedule that’s being released by the NFL on Thursday night at 7.
Cal was asked if he’d like for the Texans to have a prime-time game against Carolina, a game that could feature quarterbacks Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud – selected with the first and second overall picks in the draft – meeting for the first time.
“That’s a great group,” he said about the Panthers. “We have a lot or respect for them, and we’d love to play them. (But) we’ll play anyone anywhere. We’ll play on a golf course or in a parking lot. Let’s go.”
Later, Ryans was questioned about how much he would like for his first game as a head coach to be at NRG Stadium.
“With the buildup, it would be exciting,” he said. “To have our first game at home would be awesome, but whenever that first home game is, we know our fans will be there supporting us, and we’ll be excited to put on a good show for them.”
Bob McNair, the late Texans founder who died in 2018, began the annual golf tournament to support Houston organizations, with a focus on youth. The Texans were hoping to raise more than $400,000 on Monday, elevating that 20-year total to more than $45.3 million.
The foundation supports The Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Houston, YMCA of Greater Houston and the Houston Food Bank. The Texans also are strong supporters of the DePelchin Children’s Center of Houston and United Way.
“We were talking with Janice (controlling owner), and she said this (event) was Bob’s favorite, and to continue that legacy is really a lot of fun,” Hannah said. “We really reach a lot of people.”
Added Cal, “It’s a win-win situation. The folks who play in it have a lot of fun. There’s a player for every team. They have a lot of fun. We’re doing good for the community. It’s a triple win, and it’s been an honor to keep it going.”
The foundation’s slogan is “Champions for Youth.”
As a linebacker for the Texans from 2006 through 2011, Ryans played in the golf tournament. Monday was his first appearance as a coach.
“This is an outstanding event,” he said. “It’s fun to support the youth in Houston for the last 20 years. We’re all blessed to be in a position to help others.”
When scouting and acquiring players, Ryans wants them to contribute on and off the field.
“We want good guys on our team,” he said. “We want to make sure they understand the importance of being outstanding young men in the community. It’s not football all the time. It’s also about being good human beings and reaching out to help others.”
Ryans will have his draft choices, undrafted free agents, first-year players and prospects receiving tryouts on the practice field for the first time Friday for the two-day rookie minicamp.
“We’re excited because our coaches get an opportunity to get on the field with the young guys,” Ryans said. “We’re excited to get on the field with those guys and get to work with them.
“It’s (rookie minicamp) a part of the process. They’re learning what we’re asking them to do. We want them to come in and adapt to what we’re asking them to do – work, compete and continue to improve.”
Ryans remembers his rookie minicamp in 2006 under first-year coach Gary Kubiak.
“Going into my rookie minicamp, I remember all the guys were nervous,” he said. “You try to see where you fit. My biggest message is to continue to be who you are and what you did in college allowed you to get to the point where you are now. Have fun playing football.
“As coaches, it’s our job to develop players. We have to find out what young men do well and find out how we can help them grow. They may have some weaknesses. It’s our job to understand those weaknesses and show them where they can improve. Teach them fundamentals so they can get better.”
The Texans’ annual golf tournament comes within two weeks after the draft, so there’s a lot to discuss about the team. Something that’ll be a big deal at this time next year is the Texans will have new uniforms for the first time in their existence. They’re hoping to unveil the uniforms at the 2024 draft.
“It’ll be more than one uniform,” Cal said.
The Texans will retain their red, white and blue colors, but there’ll be different designs.
“We’re in the process of doing that,” Hannah said. “We’re trying to meet all the deadlines. We had to pause for a minute for the NFL. We had to renegotiate some things. We’ll get through it, and I hope the fan base will be really happy.
“It’s a little more exciting because it is your first time (to change uniforms). You really want to get it right. You want to excite the fan base. You want the players to be excited about what they’re wearing on the field. We’ll try to capture all of that.”
And, of course, those new uniforms will look a lot better if the Texans are able to show substantial improvement in Ryans’ rookie year as a head coach.
John McClain can be heard Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday on SportsRadio 610 and Thursday on Texans Radio. He writes three times a week and does two Houtopia Podcasts for SportsRadio610.com. He also can be read four times a week on GallerySports.com.