Steve McNair was a professional American football quarterback who played in the National Football League (NFL) for 13 seasons. He was born on February 14, 1973, in Mount Olive, Mississippi, and grew up in a small town called Mount Pleasant. McNair attended Alcorn State University, where he played college football for the Alcorn State Braves.
McNair was drafted by the Houston Oilers in the first round of the 1995 NFL Draft. He played for the Oilers/Tennessee Titans for 11 seasons, from 1995 to 2005. During his time with the Titans, McNair led the team to the Super Bowl in 2000, where they lost to the St. Louis Rams in a close game. McNair was named the NFL's co-Most Valuable Player (MVP) that season, along with Rams quarterback Kurt Warner.
In 2006, McNair was traded to the Baltimore Ravens, where he played for two seasons before retiring from the NFL in 2008. During his career, McNair was known for his toughness and ability to play through injuries. He was also known for his strong arm and ability to make plays with his legs.
McNair was a three-time Pro Bowl selection and was named to the All-Pro team in 2003. He finished his career with 31,304 passing yards, 174 touchdown passes, and 96 interceptions. He also rushed for 3,590 yards and 37 touchdowns.
Off the field, McNair was known for his charitable work and community involvement. He established the Steve McNair Foundation, which provided scholarships and other assistance to underprivileged children in Mississippi. McNair was also involved in various other charitable organizations, including the Boys and Girls Club and the United Way.
Tragically, McNair was killed on July 4, 2009, at the age of 36. He was found dead in a Nashville condominium, along with his girlfriend, Sahel Kazemi. The cause of death was determined to be a murder-suicide, with Kazemi shooting McNair before turning the gun on herself.
Despite the tragic end to his life, McNair's legacy as a football player and community leader lives on. He was inducted into the Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame in 2013 and is remembered as one of the greatest quarterbacks in Titans/Ravens history.
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