In Memoriam: Steve McNair
July 5th, 2009 by GregDietzSome quotes from those who worked with and knew Steve:
“I am deeply saddened and at this point do not have the words to describe this loss,” – Jeff Fisher, Titans head coach
“He was the first black quarterback that a team built itself around and tethered its fortunes to from Day 1. It probably isn’t a coincidence that, once it became clear McNair was the real deal, quarterbacks like Donovan McNabb, Akili Smith, Michael Vick and Vince Young were suddenly top five selections.” – Tom Curran, NBC Sports
“How do you move on and process it? It just doesn’t make sense. It is sad the way that he left this earth. A lot of emotions are going through me right now. I have so many memories of him.” – Eddie George, former Titans runningback
“Steve was such a happy person. I even called him ‘Smile.’ He was always smiling and was always willing to lend a hand to anyone who needed it. I’ve known him for 13 years, and he was the most selfless, happiest and friendliest person I have known. His family and my family are close, and it is a blow to us all. It is a devastating day.” – Derrick Mason, former Titan and current Ravens wide receiver
“If you were going to draw a football player, the physical part, the mental part, everything about being a professional, he is your guy. I can’t even wrap my arms around it. It is a sad, sad day. The world lost a great man today.” – Samari Rolle, former Titan and current Ravens defensive back
“He is one of the best players in the NFL over the last 20 years…He was a great player, one of the toughest of competitors, and a tremendous teammate, who was a leader on the field and in the locker room, especially to the young players.” – Ozzie Newsome, Ravens General Manager
“McNair was probably one of the most easy-going guys I’ve ever been around. He was real laidback and easy to coach. You admired McNair because he always tried to do what you wanted him to do.” – Jim Fassel, former Ravens offensive coordinator
“One of the things I learned from him was what a silent leader is. Sometimes people try to force leadership on themselves or other people by talking too much and people tune you out. He wasn’t a vocal, in-your-face leader. He was an example by how hard he played the game. You had to respect him by how he played the game, so when he did speak you listened to him. It was a great testament to the kind of tough guy he was.” –Gregg Williams, former Titans defensive coordinator
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The Tennessean reported yesterday that a pistol was found near the body of his alleged girlfriend Sahel Kazemi and that McNair was “killed in an apparent murder-suicide.”
I don’t know of many more successful stories of guys coming out of small schools like McNair did from Alcorn State. It is truly a sad weekend for not just Nashville and the Tennessee Titans, but for the NFL as a whole extending from the commissioner’s office to the coaches and players to the fans around the world. Steve McNair was truly a revolutionary quarterback and his impact on the game will never be forgotten.
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Tags: Greg Dietz, Steve McNair
July 8th, 2009 at 1:24 pm
If he had stayed faithful to his wife, he would not have been in that situation. He made his grave, now he’s laying in it.