Terrible: Former Titans QB Steve McNair murdered in Nashville

by BigBlueShoe on Jul 4, 2009 4:57 PM EDT in NFL General Comment 17 comments

Apologies for interrupting your Fourth of July festivities, but this is just a terrible, terrible tragedy within the NFL family:

Former Titans quarterback Steve McNair has been killed. Police said McNair suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head in downtown Nashville.

An unidentified female was also found dead at the scene. The police are calling it a homicide. We all remember Steve McNair as a rival for Peyton Manning and the Colts when he played for both the Tennessee Titans and the Baltimore Ravens. We disliked him. We booed him. We were always happy to beat him. But none of that matters now. Despite the rivalry, he was respected by most football fans. He was especially respected by Peyton, who wrote him a personal letter wishing him well when McNair retired. Manning and McNair shared the 2003 NFL MVP award.

Now, Steve McNair is gone. He was only 36. This is a horrible tragedy.

Music City Miracles (our Tennessee Titans blog) has a FanShot up on McNair and the shooting. When we get more information, we'll post it.

340x_medium

Steve McNair

1973-2009

UPDATE: The woman found dead at the scene might be McNair's wife. Rumor and speculation, via Pacman Jonesin', an NFL fansite, says that McNair's wife shot and killed McNair. Then, she turned the gun on herself. Again, that is not confirmed.

UPDATE: Police has confirmed that the second victim is not Steve McNair's wife, Mechelle.

Shake Update:

McNair, the hometown hero who did extensive charity work in Nashville, died of several gunshots and was found on the sofa, police said. Sahel Kazemi, 20, was found alongside him in a Second Avenue condo he rented. She had a single gunshot wound to her head; a pistol was found near her body.

-The Tennessean

The current reports seem to suggest that McNair was killed by a girlfriend, who then turned the gun on herself.

0 recs | Comment 17 comments | Share

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

What. The. Fu...

I knew Nashville was a crap town, but damn.

More and more I think they should offer handgun training at the rookie symposium.

by slash196 on Jul 4, 2009 5:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

What the hell?

This really bums me out…

by peytonsurdaddy on Jul 4, 2009 5:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Indeed

What a sad thing to hear. I remember when he was drafted out of Alcorn State and it was really cool to see how well he did coming out of such a small school. He always seemed like an okay person. My roommate is digging deeper and it appears it was possibly his wife who did it… murder/suicide. No telling what the backstory there is.

by lefpsyd on Jul 4, 2009 5:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

r.i.p.

famous people are dying left and right

OH NO WE SUCK AGAIN!

by colts9318rock on Jul 4, 2009 5:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

sad, huh?

"We’re only going to score 17 points? haha...OK" - Tom Brady

by Piojocuau on Jul 4, 2009 7:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This one sucks

I was at the gym when I heard the news and couldnt continue after. As a Colts fan, I am thankful for McNair because no matter what team he was playing on, when he had to play the Colts he gave it his all. He will be missed. I am thankful for the rivalry he had with Manning. RIP McNair.

by ininex on Jul 4, 2009 6:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Nicely said

Agreed.

I hate Joe Namath. That's how long I've been a Colts fan.

by Bobman on Jul 5, 2009 3:10 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Very shocking and sad.

Rest in Peace Steve. He was one tough football player.

"You can't defend the perfect throw, what can I say?" Peyton quoting Marino

by Indy Lori on Jul 4, 2009 6:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

RIP

One of the toughest quarterbacks of all time. Just Awful.

by torontocoltsfan on Jul 4, 2009 6:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Very sad day

My cousin’s best friend, who actually knew McNair, said that his girlfriend is the one who shot him then she shot herself; and yes, he was married. Stil, he was a great player. My cousin actually played against McNair during his college days. My cousin’ OC said, “That boy rich!” after he saw McAir throw a bomb down the field. RIP McNair.

"Peyton Manning flow, I just go no huddle."
- Lil' Wayne, Put Some Keys on That

by KMR24 on Jul 4, 2009 6:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

One of the biggest tragedies in sports history

He was a respected QB, also one of the toughest. He will certainly be missed.
“Air” McNair, R.I.P.

"We’re only going to score 17 points? haha...OK" - Tom Brady

by Piojocuau on Jul 4, 2009 7:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Wow

That’s pretty sad.

by eltharion_doa on Jul 4, 2009 7:04 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

RIP Steve

He was always a highly-talented fierce competitor that showed more toughness than about anyone in the league, and he made the Indy-Tennessee rivalry a real treat. Looking around the web, I’ve seen the odd post here and there by people who met him or asked him to sign autographs, and it sounds like he was great guy outside of football. It’s a shame that he went out this way. He’ll be missed….my condolences to his family, his friends, and his fans.

by JaysonAych on Jul 4, 2009 7:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Very sad

And completely shocking. It is hard to believe. It seemed like yesterday he was just playing.

"I saw a commercial on late night TV, it said,'Forget everything you know about slipcovers.' So I did. And it was a load off my mind. Then the commercial tried to sell me slipcovers, and I didn't know what the hell they were."
-Mitch Hedberg

by Colts Homer on Jul 4, 2009 7:20 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Music City Miracles says it wasn't his wife

His wife is back in Mississippi with the McNairs. This is unbelievably sad and distressing.

by Colts Homer on Jul 4, 2009 7:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Here's the recent news from Wikipedia:

On July 4, 2009, McNair was found dead of multiple gunshot wounds14, along with a female victim whom police did not immediately identify but confirmed not to be McNair’s wife.15 The condominium was one which McNair frequented, in downtown Nashville, Tennessee.16 Nashville police spokesman Don Aaron confirmed that police were called to a residence and found McNair and the woman shot to death inside.17 Titans owner Bud Adams released a statement regarding McNair:18

" We are saddened and shocked to hear the news of Steve McNair’s passing today. 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. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family as they deal with his untimely passing. "

In a statement to the AP, Ozzie Newman, executive vice president and general manager of the Baltimore Ravens stated19:

" This is so, so sad. We immediately think of his family, his boys. They are all in our thoughts and prayers," he said "What we admired most about Steve when we played against him was his competitive spirit, and we were lucky enough to have that with us for two years. He is one of the best players in the NFL over the last 20 years.

Now a proud annoyance on Stampede Blue, 18to88, Indy Football Report, and Phil B's blog.

Man, I need a life...

Random fact of the week from the empty void that is my mind: Joseph Addai, otherwise one as The Great Irrationally Hated One, is the first and only running back to rush for 1,000 yards in a season without starting a game in that season.

by Cassieper on Jul 4, 2009 9:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

This is horrible.

He was a great QB and was just one yard short of leading the Titans to one of the most improbable Super Bowl wins ever. He gave his all week-in and week-out and was good enough to be co-MVP with our Peyton.

Steve McNair, 1973-2009

RIP

Now a proud annoyance on Stampede Blue, 18to88, Indy Football Report, and Phil B's blog.

Man, I need a life...

by Cassieper on Jul 4, 2009 9:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs