Remembering Steve ‘Air’ McNair

While today is a day of celebration and one to spend with those closest to us, we have to take a minute to feel for those who will not get to spend this time with their loved ones. It is hard to believe, but today marks the two year anniversary of the tragic killing of former NFL quarterback Steve McNair.

McNair had an impressive career, with the Tennessee Titans/Houston Oilers and Baltimore Ravens, which spanned 13 seasons. During his career, “Air McNair” proved time and time again that he was one of the toughest players in the game. McNair was not just a tough guy playing quarterback, he was also one of the games greats.

In college McNair set more than a dozen records during his time at Grambling State and was awarded with a place on the All-American team. McNair also saw himself finish in third place in voting for the Heisman Trophy. McNair’s FCS records of  most career passing yards (14,496)  and  total offensive yards (16,283) still stand today.

His success did not end in college.

In the 1995 draft, Jeff Fisher selected McNair who would eventually take over as the team’s starter in 1997. McNair never looked back and saw himself constantly setting new career highs and ranking towards to top of all-time lists.

McNair eventually went on in his great career to be named to three Pro Bowls and become the NFL’s co-MVP along with Colts quarterback Peyton Manning in 2003. McNair was the quarterback during the Tennessee Titans “Music City Miracle” and improbable Super Bowl run before the team fell one-yard short to the St. Louis Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV.

McNair was one of the league’s most respected and loved players.

His life came to too sudden of an end on this day in 2009, when Sahel Kazemi shot McNair multiple times. McNair’s death shocked the NFL scene and left many of those in the Titans and Ravens organizations stricken with grief.

When people think of McNair to this day, they may not remember that he was one of the best to ever play the game. It was a pleasure to watch his gritty performances every Sunday and watch him as a leader willing his team to victory.

Take some time today to put McNair’s family in your thoughts and remember the former great. RIP, Steve McNair (1973-2009).