NFL Media Slams Texans For Firing PR VP Amy Palcic
By Liam McKeone
In news that would normally fly far under the radar for your average NFL fan, the Houston Texans have decided to fire their VP of communications, Amy Palcic. The reason this internal move registered with the public at large is because Adam Schefter tweeted about it.
Texans fired VP of Communications Amy Palcic, telling her she no longer was "a cultural fit", per sources. Palcic was the first and only woman to have full PR responsibilities for an NFL team. She was the winner of the 2017 Rozelle Award for best PR staff. She is widely respected
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) November 11, 2020
The way this tweet is framed seems to indicate that Schefter thinks this is a mistake. He then retweeted other media members who said that more clearly in response to Houston's decision, and NFL media members around the industry joined in to proclaim how big of an error this is by the Texans. Some more strongly than others.
The Texans have turned into one of the worst organizations in football since Bob McNair died. @amypalcic was the best. She certainly was too good for what the Texans deserve. https://t.co/WHByVtvl9j
— Charean Williams (@NFLCharean) November 11, 2020
Every time I've worked with Amy, she is prompt, professional and puts team first. Her group engineered one of the most viral moments of the season when Deshaun Watson's family surprised him virtually. Any other team would be fortunate to have her on a roster. https://t.co/meyWqe9DaT
— Michele Steele (@MicheleSteele) November 11, 2020
She is fantastic at what she does too. https://t.co/aWgjggGyyh
— Taylor Twellman (@TaylorTwellman) November 11, 2020
Disgraceful. Amy is amazing. What are the Texans doing? https://t.co/Ujrq4JbeXJ
— Matt Miller (@nfldraftscout) November 11, 2020
This is a shocker. Amy, formerly with the #Browns , is amazing https://t.co/oZxnCzxGjX
— Mary Kay Cabot (@MaryKayCabot) November 11, 2020
This is shameful. @amypalcic is fantastic. https://t.co/nkAOOAkhTH
— Seth Markman (@tunasweasel) November 11, 2020
Terrible decision. https://t.co/aOqAq9zOuX
— Mike Jones (@ByMikeJones) November 11, 2020
She is REVERED by the players I ever knew that worked with her, and media alike. I’ve been removed from NFL for 3 years but this is shocking to hear. https://t.co/wv07ZDA1ia
— Jamie Erdahl ? Buckman (@JamieErdahl) November 11, 2020
This is crap. @amypalcic deserved better. Between Palcic and her predecessor @kevincooper44, #Texans don’t seem to understand what a good head of PR is. She was absolutely aces throughout Hurricane Harvey, too - when the org really needed it. https://t.co/ojzIqtt8fG
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) November 11, 2020
This organization continues to make nothing but bad decisions. Amy did an excellent job through tough circumstances for a long time, and played a huge role in shaping the only decent stretch this team has ever had. A culture she doesn’t fit isn’t a culture worth having. https://t.co/8IIT2dOiqb
— Robert Mays (@robertmays) November 11, 2020
Texans aren't going to gain much respect around the league for this move, that's for sure.
— Art Stapleton (@art_stapleton) November 11, 2020
Amy's great at her job. https://t.co/uCZP6bx1nD
This is a stunning move.
— Peter King (@peter_king) November 11, 2020
Stunning.@amypalcic is one of the best media-relations people I’ve met in my 36 years covering the NFL. Top 5. https://t.co/x6U3nA5nn5
A terrible decision by Houston. Amy is elite at her job. She was a true asset to that organization and a total pro. https://t.co/g1EKgoVNMS
— Pete Thamel (@PeteThamel) November 11, 2020
When I was an @NFLFilms producer in my former life, I worked with @amypalcic when she was with the @Browns. One of the top professionals I’ve encountered in any industry. Bar none. I’m shocked and stupefied by this move. Another team, if they’re wise, will benefit in short order. https://t.co/CVPeBrTLFz
— Jamil Smith (@JamilSmith) November 11, 2020
So, the Texans fire their PR director @amypalcic because she isn’t a “cultural fit” and countless reporters - who a PR director’s job is to work with daily - take to Twitter to express how terrific she is at her job.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) November 11, 2020
If she doesn’t fit, what kind of culture do the Texans want?
What, was @amypalcic too good at her job for his taste? Amy is certainly one of the best PR chiefs in the NFL. Another team will be lucky to get her and the Texans look more poorly run than ever. https://t.co/FjUBbpQTtK
— Judy Battista (@judybattista) November 11, 2020
Evidently the culture doesn’t include anyone being really good at their jobs.
— Greg A. Bedard (@GregABedard) November 11, 2020
What a clown show that place has become. https://t.co/1Dh0lA3TpM
If Amy Palcic isn’t a “cultural fit,” then the Texans’ culture is absolutely rancid. https://t.co/wYzqfblXe7
— Jeff Darlington (@JeffDarlington) November 11, 2020
While this blogger has never interacted with Palcic, she is clearly very well-liked and respected around the industry. Schefter is usually neutral in the tone of his tweets and his choice of retweets, but he widely broadcasted the sentiment that the Texans screwed up nevertheless.
It is also curious timing by the Texans, to say the least. They let Bill O'Brien act as both head coach and GM for the better part of a year and a half, fired him after an 0-4 start this year, and currently sit at 2-6 on the season with their 2020 first and second-round picks going to Miami. This year, and potentially next, is a complete wash and a huge waste of Deshaun Watson's prime seasons. Somebody in the organization -- Jack Easterby, team preacher turned power broker who has survived several regime changes, according to Ian Rapoport -- looked at the situation and decided that right now was the perfect time to fire their award-winning PR person because she's not a "cultural fit"?
From the looks of it, it will not be very long before Palcic gets another job. Then everyone will look back on this as just another bad decision in a very long string of them for the Houston Texans.