In the latest courtroom play of pigskin and family power dynamics, Houston Texans owner Janice McNair sidestepped an independent medical examination. This was a decisive courtroom win in an ongoing legal skirmish initiated by her oldest son. Harris County probate Judge Jerry Simoneaux denied a motion that would have compelled the 87-year-old widow and team matriarch to undergo an independent medical exam, aimed to rapidly determine her ability to run the NFL franchise following a stroke she suffered in January 2022.
The development follows a guardianship battle that jumped off the sidelines late last year, with Cary McNair charging into the legal field aiming to secure guardianship of his mother and her estate. The request was flagged as unnecessary interference by the opposing camp, citing two previous evaluations by Janice's personal doctors asserting her wellness. "On behalf of Mrs. McNair, and everyone who opposed the Motion, we are pleased with Judge Simoneaux’s Order denying Cary McNair’s Motion for an Independent Medical Examination of Mrs. McNair," attorney Don Jackson, representing the Texans owner, told the Houston Chronicle.
The block attempt by Cary McNair, which fought to push Janice to the medical sidelines, argued that the current doctors were too close to the McNair family to be unbiased. However, the judge's ruling indicated a preference to adhere to what Janice wanted, which was not to proceed to an independent exam. The disagreement has placed family tension under the stadium lights, with revelations from Cary's application suggesting the release of sensitive financial, medical, and personal data, which according to an affidavit, would "negatively affecting our employees, business partners, and the team," as stated by Cal McNair in court documents obtained by Chron.
Meanwhile, in the Texans' camp, the team has shown agile performance under Janice's ownership, clinching a 10-7 record this past season. This legal victory may well add more momentum for the team's leadership as they look to continue to build on their recent success on the field. With their eye on the ball for the next legal play, Jackson indicated confidence moving forward, "We're very pleased with the ruling," he said. "We believe it was the right ruling and justice was done. We appreciate Judge Simoneaux's diligent work on the case and his staff's diligent work. We're very optimistic going forward." Despite the familial scrimmage, the McNairs are seemingly ready to team up to put up a unified defense against any further challenges. The next move by Janice McNair's attorneys could likely be an attempt to outright dismiss the case.
