Texans Owner Bob McNair Apologizes For Divisive Anthem Comments

HOUSTON, TX — Houston Texans Owner Bob McNair was forced to walk back comments he made during a closed door meeting among NFL owners and executives who were discussing whether or not players should be allowed to take a knee during the National Anthem.

McNair, who has owned the Houston Texans franchise since 2002, said: “We can’t have the inmates running the prison.”

The McNair’s comments, which were first reported by ESPN the Magazine, apparently stunned some in the room.

NFL Executive and former player Troy Vincent took offense at McNair’s comments, leading to a heated exchange between Vincent, McNair and Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones, the Daily Beast reported.

Watch Now: Texans Owner Bob McNair Apologizes For Divisive Anthem Comments

McNair spoke privately with Vincent after the meeting and personally apologized for his remarks, and said the comments were not meant to be taken literally, ESPN The Magazine reported.

On Friday, McNair issued a public apology on the Houston Texans PR Twitter account:

McNair is the founder of the Houston Texans organization, and is responsible for bringing football back to Houston after the Oilers franchise relocated to Nashville and changed their name to the Tennessee Titans.

The full ESPN The Magazine article detailing the owner meeting will appear in the Nov. 13 issue.

Image: Houston Texans owner Bob McNair speaks to reporters after the NFL football owners meeting in Irving, Texas, Wednesday, Dec. 14, 2016. (AP Photo/LM Otero)

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