Earlier today, former NFL MVP quarterback Steve McNair was killed by a gunshot wound to the head. According to police, the incident occurred inside a downtown Nashville condominium with one additional victim. As of right now, local detectives appear to have no serious leads and have yet to make any arrests on any suspects.
“We don’t know the details, but it is a terrible tragedy and our hearts go out to the families involved,” NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement.
“We are saddened and shocked to hear the news of Steve McNair’s passing today,” Titans owner Bud Adams said in a statement. “He was one of the finest players to play for our organization and one of the most beloved players by our fans. He played with unquestioned heart and leadership and led us to places that we had never reached, including our only Super Bowl.”
In perhaps the greatest ending to a Super Bowl in NFL history, McNair took the Titans down the field with the clock winding down on Super Bowl XXXIV. With only 22 seconds left in the game, and down by a touchdown, McNair slipped past two defenders who had latched onto his jersey, avoided the sack, and managed to toss a pass to the ten yard line. With only six seconds left, McNair passed a bullet into the heart of Kevin Dyson -- who was tackled by linebacker Mike Jones on the one yard line. The closest game in NFL history was decided by one yard on the final play of the game.
Although McNair would never again play in football's greatest game, he would continue to excel at it, returning to the AFC Championship game on two other occasions. He would also win a Co-MVP award in 2003 (having finished second in voting the year before) while attending three Pro-Bowls.
But as great as his statistical achievements may be, he is perhaps best known for his strength, grit, determination, and toughness. Simply put, he was the toughest player to play in the past ten years. In 2002, the year he finished second in MVP voting, McNair played half the season without participating in team practices -- so hurt from previous injuries, that he could only afford to play on game day. Despite these injuries, he managed to secure a playoff spot for his team, and exemplified what it was to be a team leader. Interestingly, despite his placing second in MVP voting, McNair did not get named to the Pro-Bowl that year.
Cool, calm, and collected, McNair exuded a different temperament than most other NFL players, he seemed to carry the weight of a city's dreams with the same seriousness as the mayor of the town the night before the election, yet never lost that joyous love and understanding that he was playing a game for a living.
For whatever reason, perhaps none, McNair has been taken from this world. Hopefully, the person(s) responsible for this tragedy will be put to justice for their crimes. But no matter the outcome, a life lost leaves only the memory of his accomplishments: he has four young sons, a wife, and had opened up his own restaurant named Gridiron9, which he opened on June 19, 2009.
He played the game in a way that made young kids want to be him, and the crusty veterans respect him. He was a blue-collar guy who happened to play sports. As a young kid, he was asked to carry the franchise's fate from their move from Houston (the last year the the team played there) to the new home in Tennessee. Within two years of starting, he led them to a championship game, passed for 31,304 yards and ran for 3,590. He was a true hybrid quarterback, a true player.
One of the toughest players in the history of football. when I was younger I could not stand Steve Mcnair because I was a Jaguars fan and The titans had are number and the main reason was Steve McNair.But, I learned to respect his game and his true grit and willingness to go the extra mile throughout his whole career.
ReplyDelete