Houston Announces Nickname: Texans

A not-too-well-kept secret was revealed when Houston owner Bob McNair announced the nickname of the NFL’s 32nd franchise will be the Texans. The name won out over the Stallions and Apollos.

A crowd estimated at 16,000 turned out in downtown Houston to learn the team’s name, logo and colors. The colors for the team that will begin play in 2002 will be battle red, steel blue and liberty white with a bull’s head logo that includes a Texas Lone Star on one side.

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Denver running back Olandis Gary said he was stunned to learn he had a knee injury that will require surgery and sideline him for the season. He said he only felt some “give” in his right knee during Monday night’s loss to the Rams. “It was shocking because even after the game, I didn’t have any ill effects with my knee,” he said. With Terrell Davis (ankle) questionable for Sunday’s game against Atlanta, rookie Mike Anderson, from Utah, might get the start. . . . For one more week at least, Jon Kitna is the Seattle Seahawks’ starting quarterback. Coach Mike Holmgren said earlier in the week that he might turn to backup Brock Huard for Seattle’s home opener against the Rams but decided to stick with Kitna. . . . Jacksonville Jaguar running back Fred Taylor sat out practice again. The third-year running back is on the slow mend since spraining a ligament in his left knee during the final exhibition game on Aug. 24.