HOUSTON — Houston Texans executive Hannah McNair said she jokingly attributed the team’s AFC divisional round loss to the absence of country singer Parker McCollum, following the Texans’ playoff run in January.
The Texans defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers, 30-6, during the wild-card round but lost 28-16 to the New England Patriots in the divisional round.
McNair, speaking to a reporter at the NFL’s annual league meeting in Phoenix, noted that McCollum attended the wild-card game in Pittsburgh but did not travel with the team to New England.
“I blame Parker McCollum for not coming to New England, because he was at the Steelers game,” McNair said, adding that she told the singer the same during an encounter at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
McCollum later responded publicly and acknowledged the comment.
The Texans’ loss to New England came as quarterback C. J. Stroud threw four interceptions. The team also dealt with injuries among key players during the game.
Houston finished its playoff run in the divisional round and continues to seek its first Super Bowl appearance.
