The Texans received major backlash for firing VP/Communications Amy Palcic, and team President Jamey Rootes said the move "was definitely my call," according to Aaron Wilson of the HOUSTON CHRONICLE. Rootes, who oversees the communications department, said of Palcic, "I gave her the role a number of years ago and just felt the need to make a change." Wilson notes Palcic was the "only woman in the NFL in charge of a communications department." Palcic wrote on Twitter, "On what was arguably the most humiliating day of my life, people showed up -- my friends, colleagues, total strangers. PR can often be a thankless job. We live behind the scenes lifting others up. A great reminder that being a good person matters in the long run." Texans DE J.J. Watt said of Palcic, "You can tell from the universal response from prominent people in the business what type of person Amy is and how well-respected and well-liked she is, both inside of our building and outside the building." He added, "It's a very difficult loss. She's an incredible person, and I think she's going to have another job in an absolute heartbeat. I think it's a big loss for us" (HOUSTON CHRONICLE, 11/12).
PLAYERS' SUPPORT: ESPN's Adam Schefter said, "Palcic was so popular and so respected, chiefly amongst her team, the players. We remember Deshaun Watson signing the contract and there being a great press conference that was set up on Zoom where she coordinated having his family on a Zoom call to celebrate his big new contract with him. That was Amy Palcic. We remember J.J. Watt going out to the community there on hurricane relief efforts. That was Amy Palcic helping to set that up. She was immensely popular amongst the players there. They're not happy that she was let go" ("SportsCenter," ESPN, 11/11).
