Remember Steve McNair the “Player” not the “Playa”
Happy Birthday, America! The United States of America celebrates its 234th on Sunday and despite what Al Gore (and some others insist) I say she looks damn good for your age.
Also celebrating a birthday on this July 4th is the owner and former principal executive of the New York Yankees, George Steinbrenner.
Who, I believe, is also turning 234 this weekend
(Actually “The Boss” will be a youthful 80)
And Sunday (July 4th, 2010) will also mark the 1-year anniversary of the death of Steve McNair. The 13 year NFL veteran, 3-time Pro Bowler and Co-MVP of the 2003 NFL season was shot in the wee hours of July 4, 2009. McNair was found dead alongside of his mistress, a 20 year old by the name of Sahel Kazemi, who McNair had met when she was working at “Dave & Busters” and owned the condo she lived and eventually shot him in.
It was a shocking end to a life of what many of us saw as an honorable man.
Watch Peyton Manning in this “Outside the Lines” feature from before McNair’s death
Kurt Warner quarterbacked the winning team (St. Louis Rams) in SB XXXIV, had superior passing statistics in the game and had already been named as the league’s MVP for that season, but it was Steve McNair that had captured the unforgettable competitive moment as he willed his team all but 36 inches away from the first overtime in Super Bowl history.
Earlier that game, McNair had already led the Tennessee Titans back from a 16 point deficit. It was the first, and only, time in Super Bowl history that a lead that large has been erased. Before that final possession, the Titans began with the ball on their own 10 yard line with less than two minutes remaining. During that drive Steve McNair would account for every yard gained (other than Ram penalties).
The drive also included a dramatic 3rd down completion with 22 seconds remaining that demonstrated the magic of McNair. It was, with apologies to any Santonio Holmes, David Tyree or John Elway fans, the most exciting single play in Super Bowl history.
