Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
If you're a football fan, you'll probably remember Steve McNair as one tough quarterback for the Tennessee Titans and Baltimore Ravens. If you're not a sports fan, you'll remember him for being that football player that got shot to death by his 20-year-old girlfriend.
Really, it doesn't even matter how you remember him.
The bottom line is that a life was cut way too short -- McNair was only 36 -- and it's simply a sad story.
When I first heard McNair was killed, I got that pit in my stomach and just started feeling bad for his family, friends and the millions of Titans fans that worshiped No. 9, who was no doubt the face of the Titans franchise.
I know there's many people out there that want to knock McNair down because he was seeing another woman even though he was still technically married, but I'm not going there.
We all make mistakes in life -- some more than others -- but McNair never fumbled with his commitment to his community. He proved to be a great citizen in his community, always giving back and helping others in need.
On the field, he was just solid. He had an arm that kids dream about -- he always seemed like he could chuck that ball up to the moon -- and he could also beat you with his legs. Remember, McNair was that rare double-threat (passing, rushing) and a three-time Pro Bowler and 2003 co-MVP with Peyton Manning.
But what separated him from other NFL quarterbacks was his toughness (see former New England Patriots QB Steve Grogan). Didn't it always seem like McNair was on the injury report with some sort of bump and bruise? But you always knew he would play whether he was listed as doubtful or questionable.
That's the confidence you had in McNair. You always knew he'd show up, play hard and give his team a chance to win.
Being tough is a characteristic that can't be taught or coached. You're either not afraid to run through a wall or you stop well short to not get injured. With McNair, you knew he'd not only run into the wall, he'd run through it for his teammates, coaches and fans.
How will you remember McNair? Will you remember his life or his death?
Jason Whitlock wrote a fantastic article about this situation. I will remember him for abandoning his children and infidelity with his wife. He was an absolute warrior on the field, but who you are as a person is much more important than what you do on the playing field.
ReplyDeleteBottom line is is that I respect him for the player he was on the field, and obviously don't agree with some off-the-field choices he's made ... you need to lighten up a tad, you don't have to be the judge and jury in his life do you?
ReplyDeleteNobody knows the real story of what happened in his personal life. I guess it was a surprise to me after only knowing him of a guy you'd very much want on your team, and someone who was extremely charitable off the field. I wasn't trying to lambaste him, but just saying that's how I remember him now.
ReplyDeleteAs a player, I am a huge fan of McNair, though his lack of a title doesn't put him in an upper echelon level.
ReplyDeleteHe was an absolute warrior on the field, and would give everything for you and that's how I am going to remember him.
I don't care about what he did in his personal life. People have problems. And even though his friend says "there's no way they were getting a divorce," how does he know what REALLY happened behind closed doors?
McNair, you will be missed.
Jimmy, you are right about Whitlock's article. Tough to argue the points he was making.
ReplyDeleteWhitlock sounds like a poor boy who was left behind by his pappa ...just a poor article, because he doesn't even substantiate his claims that McNair didn't have anything to do with his kids, the only thing he can stand on is that people thought McNair and his girlfriend lived together. So does that mean he didn't spend time with his kids? Unbelievable.
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