The enormity of his death cannot be overstated. Over the course of his NFL career, McNair passed for 31,304 yards, rushed for 3,590 yards, played in three Pro Bowls, and was named joint Most Valuable Player in 2003, along with Indianapolis Colts quarterback Peyton Manning. He played with unquestioned heart and leadership and led us to places that we had never reached, including our only Super Bowl. Trent shows flashes of great talent at quarterback, but he won't play the position. George Clark/Hattiesburg American POOL/Getty Images. She would lean on her friends, who dropped everything to be with her in Nashville, or cry to her aunts and uncles. I always have thought Steve got his toughness from his mother. Live with Fuel; Saturday, August . By continuing to use this site, you agree to our updated Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. George Clark/Hattiesburg American POOL/Getty Images I don't. She tried to explain to the boys what had happened, the best she could, but Trent wanted to read about his father in the paper. McNair and the Titans reached the AFC Championship game but were unable to reach the Super Bowl, losing to the Oakland Raiders 4124. [36][37] The day of the shooting, text messages between the pair were exchanged proclaiming their love to one another in which Kazemi texted the victim, "u love me" in which McNair replied, "I love you baby. Over the next five games, O'Donnell led the Titans to a 41 record. "She just had it made, you . He sees flashes of his friend, and it helps him stay close to him. He made at least $90 million in salary over his 13-year career with the Houston Oilers, Tennessee Titans and. More on Steve McNair He cleaned the fish when they got home that night, washed his truck and began to doze off on the couch. [51], McNair died without a last will and testament, and his assets were frozen pending probate of his estate. When he's at school, he FaceTimes with her at least once a day, so it's almost as if she sees him more when he's in New York. She never imagined she'd leave Mississippi after college to move to Houston with a man who had just been selected at No. Regarding Steve McNair", "McNair's funeral draws thousands in Mississippi", "Steve McNair and the Perils of Dying Without a Will", "Tenn. Judge Gives McNair's Widow, Children $500k each", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Steve_McNair&oldid=1152382932, Career statistics and player information from, This page was last edited on 29 April 2023, at 22:36. He never forced his sons to play sports. (McNair also has two older sons from previous relationships.) When news of his death flashed on the TV screen, Cartwright rushed through the house to Mechelle's room. The vision of a 10-year-old boy holding a knife was like a cold bucket of water in the face. "I mean, I'm here by myself. In the week 14 game against the Kansas City Chiefs, McNair threw the longest regular-season touchdown pass in the Ravens' history, an 89-yard touchdown pass to Mark Clayton. By The Associated Press PUBLISHED: July 11, 2009 at 2:24 p . I don't want to be here by myself. Mechelle is 45 now, and she does not look old enough to be dropping a son off at college. He was known as one of the toughest men in football, playing through myriad injuries. Judy Winslow's character was just nine years old when Family Matters first started. He took care of us. "They were slipping and playing football on the peewee team. Well, thats when the drama started between his wife and mom. FOLLOW US ON TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM. Courtesy Mechelle McNair He asked how somebody could do this to his daddy. The couple had first met at Alcorn State, a historically black university in Claiborne County, Mississippi. When a parent dies young and leaves behind children, people make promises. But she put off doing the paperwork, and Alcorn was the school that offered her a scholarship. The Titans opened the playoffs at home against the Buffalo Bills in a Wild Card game, winning on the "Music City Miracle" and eventually advancing to Super Bowl XXXIV in a rematch with the Rams. It is a misdemeanor offense in Tennessee for an owner of a motor vehicle to knowingly allow an intoxicated person to drive the vehicle. When a parent dies young and leaves behind children, people make promises. "Lucille was a single mother,raising five rambunctious boys. In his stead entered Neil O'Donnell, a veteran who had guided the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Super Bowl four years earlier. But when she saw how committed Tyler was to dance, she told him to do what makes him happy. According to the last reports, Mechelle never remarried but is dating, and she received a degree in nursing years ago. Yes, he made mistakes and was figuring out what to do outside football, but he was a good husband and father to all four of his children, as per his now-widow. He said he couldn't live without his daddy and wanted to kill himself. Mechelle knows life will change again soon, when Trent gets his driver's license. The closest town, if you want to call it that, is Lorman, a community with one known claim to fame, the Old Country Store, which serves fried chicken that people drive hours for. He attended Mount Olive High School as a freshman in the fall of 1987, where he played football, baseball, and basketball in addition to running track. [6], McNair appeared in the playoffs four times with the Titans, including their run to Super Bowl XXXIV in 2000, and made his final playoff appearance in 2006 with the Ravens. He said he had to go, and kissed the boys goodbye. Steve McNair was buried on a Saturday in his home state of Mississippi. Trent will put his hands on his hips and walk to the bench, and it reminds Piller of Steve heading to the huddle. "At the end of the day, that's my husband," she says. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. He doesn't believe anyone can play quarterback as well as his father did, so why even try? I saidthese boys is kinda special," added Lucille. Their normal. When McNair was alive, if one of the boys was struggling with a batting stance or a shot, he could go outside, spend 30 minutes with him and get it figured out. "I loved him. "Most of the time I really don't hear it that much, but when I do, it's a little bit embarrassing. After killing Steve, Kazemi killed herself, and her body was also laying down on the floor. There wasn't anything those children wanted that he didn't get for them." She was so happy at the end of their talk, when he said she could attend the next employee meeting. Merrill: The dilemma of how to mourn McNair. His life was cut short on July 4, 2009, but his legacy lives onin family and those who knew him best. So instead,he headed to Alcorn State University,following his brothers Fredand Tim. But her sons were terrified and confused. She said she couldn't bear to lose both of them. "They appreciated what they had," add Lucille. God got her through this, she says. ". The tabloids fed off the story and ran photos of McNair vacationing with the young waitress and texts they sent to each other in their final hours. Dont miss to subscribe to our new feeds, kindly fill the form below. She wanted to see him so she could help him. He probably wouldn't have spent most of the summer dreading this moment, standing in front of a college dorm, trying not to cry. Although she didn't grow up playing sports, Mechelle quickly acclimated herself to the life of a football wife. MOUNT OLIVE, Miss - (WJTV) Next Thursday marks the 10th anniversary of the death of legendary Alcorn State quarterback Steve McNair. and in junior high they started doing,and I saidsomething is not right about this. He felt pressure from fans, students and coaches to stay on the basketball team. [42] The bodies were discovered by McNair's friends Wayne Neely and Robert Gaddy, who called 911. He leaned on his mother, Mechelle, and Tyler, at left. Everyone changed. Before she met McNair, Mechelle never thought she would get married. Furthermore, her younger child, Trenton, is a 64 shooting guard basketball player at Brentwood Academy and has already received an offer from Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, Tennessee. Highlights from his career were played throughout each day and fans were able to sign books that were later given to the McNair family. "I feel like I'm just living. [19], Following the 2005 season, on April 30, 2006, the Titans allowed McNair and his agent, James "Bus" Cook, to speak with the Ravens to try to work out a deal. When it hit her, she fell to the floor, screaming. Steven went as far as to addthat he and Steve Jr. have been closed out of their younger brothers lives and their fathers legacy, which Mechelle has since denied. Read More: How Did Mike Tysons Daughter Die? And that I still don't sometimes. He opened his own restaurant in Nashville, which he named Gridiron9. There were good times, too. To Mechelle, he was sort of a gentle giant, romantic enough to hide an engagement ring in a piece of strawberry cake, country enough to skin a deer and cook it up for his teammates. "But Steve,his feet,he just moved. Sometimes on the Fourth of July, he picked up the kids and bought fireworks and did anything that took their minds off the anniversary. Maybe she could do that. #FlexExcellence: The Most Extravagant Prom Flexes Of 2023, #FlexExcellence: Tammy Rivera, Monica, Dr. Heavenly & Erica Dixon Send Their Celebrity Seeds Off To Prom In Style, Your Weekly Helping Of Tidday Meats & Treats On The Gram, Picture Perfect Poster Girl: Taylour Paige Stars As "Boogie's" Leading Lady, Kylie Jenner Klaims Its A Misconception That Shes Had So Much Surgery On Her Face, Kauses Kosmetic Kommotion Akross Internet, Riding Dirty: Stevie J. She doesn't want to go through any more pain. "I know he's in his head," Steve would tell Mechelle. Her mother, Melzena Cartwright, saw the news on TV. "[People] always say, 'Oh, I admire you so much. Things around the McNair family have been tense, to say the least, since Steve passed in 2009. By all accounts, although Steve was usually exhausted when at home due to his practice and games, things were good for the McNair family, especially after he retired in 2008. Steve McNair was buried on a Saturday in his home state of Mississippi. "I don't think he's doing that, but I want him to see me doing something where he feels like he has a drive.". She says she protects her heart and her kids. I don't. A post shared by Tyler McNair (@_tylahh_). McNair's death shocked the country on the Fourth of July in 2009. Offensive linemen spend their careers protecting the quarterback, and Piller couldn't. I've gotta keep going." Nine years after Mechelle McNair's world caved in, her oldest son, Tyler, is going to NYU on an academic scholarship. "Don't go," Tyler and Trent told him. But did I know about her? Somehow, he seared his hands. On a recent winter afternoon, Mechelle is sitting in the dining room of their house in the hills of Nashville, waiting to pick Trent up from school. According to his wife, Michele, the will that his agent claimed was drawn up has been lost. The boxes are unpacked, the dorm room is clean, and there is nothing else to do but say goodbye. We've joined the BHM Digital family of websites and have updated our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. The Titans ended at 124, the same record as the Colts, but Indianapolis took the AFC South division championship by virtue of its two victories over Tennessee. Steve turned down an opportunity out of high school to be drafted into baseball. Nearly 5,000 people mourned McNair at Reed Green Coliseum on the campus of Southern Miss. And I said what you ain't got,you can't miss it.". Mechelle had always considered herself a private person. Tyler, right, and Trent served as honorary 12th Titans in a November game against the Baltimore Ravens. Steve McNair, in full Steve LaTreal McNair, byname Air McNair, (born February 14, 1973, Mount Olive, Mississippi, U.S.died July 4, 2009, Nashville, Tennessee), American gridiron football player who threw 174 touchdown passes during his 13 National Football League (NFL) seasons (19952008), primarily while playing for the Tennessee Titans. She wanted to see him so she could help him. Oldest son Fred McNair was the first star to emerge. Her mother, Melzena Cartwright, saw the news on TV. The last full conversation he had with Mechelle centered on the restaurant's nightly receipts constantly being off and her desire to help. I'm used to it by now. Jul 06, 2009 at 12:08 pm. He ran his finger through the print and sounded out the words he knew. Mechelle didn't particularly want to go to such a tiny school. He ran his finger through the print and sounded out the words he knew. "He was tough from day one.". But Fred was more,Fred would pick you apart. "You know boys are going to be boys," she said. "He didn't want to do anything. It surprises her and forces her to ask the inevitable question: Who am I when my kids are grown and gone? Eventually, there will be more goodbyes. Steve McNair, in full Steve LaTreal McNair, byname Air McNair, (born February 14, 1973, Mount Olive, Mississippi, U.S.died July 4, 2009, Nashville, Tennessee), American gridiron football player who threw 174 touchdown passes during his 13 National Football League (NFL) seasons (1995-2008), primarily while playing for the Tennessee Titans. Image via ABC. He tried to do both at first, but soon it was too much. Stephen Steve LaTreal McNair fathered his namesake and Steven OBrian McNair through different relationships before he met, fell in love, and tied the knot with his only wife, Mechelle McNair, on June 21, 1997. McNair was selected with the third pick in the 1995 NFL draft by the Houston Oilerswho became the Tennessee Titans in 1999. The well-known footballer, Steve, died on 4 July 2009 at the age of 46. I do know that. "I think that [Trent] would be attached to his dad.". She made faces at him to try to get him to stop. One year after former Tennessee Titans star Steve McNair was shot and killed, details emerge about the life of Sahel Kazemi, the woman who police say pulled the trigger then turned the gun on herself. "He said momma,we need the moneyand I said look,your education is more important," said Lucille. Fortunately, Mechelle grabbed him and stopped him. In the winter of 2016, Tyler was one of the best basketball players at Brentwood Academy, a Christian school with a powerhouse basketball program. Tyler was her road dog. Pat Boone, a singer from the 1950s, eventually bought the home. [6][11], He was a member of the fraternity Omega Psi Phi, highlighting his allegiance by tattooing "Omega Man" on his arm. Visit Us: MarriedCeleb To Know More About Celebrity Wife. "I can deal with not having Steve here a lot more because I see him still every day in his boys." She was so happy at the end of their talk, when he said she could attend the next employee meeting. EXCLUSIVE: Steve McNair: A mother's memories, Truck possibly connected to Hinds County jail escape found in Newton County, Woman charged after hitting, killing 19-year-old in Oxford, police say, South Jones band gets invited to 2026 St. Patricks fest in Ireland, Request a First Alert Weather School Visit, Advertising Non-Discrimination Certification. It's his way of being around his brother still. She is dating someone, but meeting people has been a struggle. He was also named First-Team All-SWAC for the third year in a row. [29][30], McNair was married to Mechelle McNair[31] from June 21, 1997, until his death. In 2019, he claimed that neither he nor his elder brother was invited to the ceremony where his fathers jersey was retired. Not only did he always keep them safe and well-provided for, but he was also present when needed. [35] McNair was not arrested, instead leaving in a taxi with Gordon, despite Kazemi repeatedly asking the arresting officer to tell McNair to come to the police car to talk to her. Trent shows flashes of great talent at quarterback, but he won't play the position. But it gets worse, she told Steves mom to pay $3,000 rent or get the hell out! The boxes are unpacked, the dorm room is clean, and there is nothing else to do but say goodbye. Steve McNair was buried on a Saturday in his home state of Mississippi. McNair said he loved them. [9], With the third overall pick in the 1995 NFL Draft, the Houston Oilers and new head coach Jeff Fisher selected McNair, making him at the time the highest-drafted African-American quarterback in NFL history and signing him to a seven-year contract. "You're going to have people who say, 'Oh, she knew.' Michele is also claiming she cant find Steves Will. [16] All charges related to the incident were later dropped.[6]. Trent, pictured right, was 5. The McNairs never had a lot,but Lucille saysthey had each other. Her husband would have done things differently. Lucille saidpeople will never know how kind and gentle her son was,but she says hislegacy lives on through his four boys and his family. "I know he's in his head," Steve would tell Mechelle. But soon,everyone knew. Mu was the one who took them to father-son breakfasts and NBA games. When it hit her, she fell to the floor, screaming. She doesn't want to be a hindrance to him. This article was most recently revised and updated by, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Steve-McNair, Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame - Steve McNair, Pro Football History - The Life And Career Of QB Steve McNair. Twitter wasn't a factor yet, but there were plenty of media outlets to feed off of the stunning story of a Tennessee football hero killed by 20-year-old Sahel Kazemi, a woman with whom he'd been having an affair. Then, despite a leg injury, he tucked the ball under his arm and dove into the end zone for the winning touchdown. In December of the 2003 season, an injured calf and ankle kept McNair sidelined for two games, though he still finished with the best numbers of his career, including 3,215 passing yards, 24 touchdown passes, just seven interceptions,[17] and a quarterback rating of 100.4. [32], McNair earned the nickname "Air McNair" in high school. "I know what he's thinking. Nine years later, it's still hard for him to talk about McNair. In 1992, McNair threw 3,541 yards and 29 touchdowns, and ran in for 10 more scores. And on the gridiron,he was magic. The tabloids fed off the story and ran photos of McNair vacationing with the young waitress and texts they sent to each other in their final hours. Sahel Kazemi was 20 years old and swept up: He gave her a Cadillac Escalade for her birthday and took her on trips to places such as Key West, Fla., and Las Vegas. A "True Crimes with Aphrodite Jones" episode filmed in 2013 even pointed suspicion at her. Their normal. She doesn't want to go through any more pain. In fact,he was the first to wear the #9 jersey that his younger brother would eventually make famous. Piller downplays his involvement. Steve and Mechelle shares two children from their marital relationship. He also cut his interceptions to ten, helping his quarterback rating climb to 80.1. She noticed her husband wasn't home and made a number of phone calls trying to find him. Twitter wasn't a factor yet, but there were plenty of media outlets to feed off of the stunning story of a Tennessee football hero killed by 20-year-old Sahel Kazemi, a woman with whom he'd been having an affair. The pressure to be Steve McNair's son weighs heavily. When the police arrived, his corpse was on the couch with multiple wounds of the gunshot, including one to the head. I can't wallow in it. It was a good day for two little boys who saw their dad as a superhero. "Steve was a good person," Mechelle's mother says. She thinks about the next chapter in her life. "I think that [Trent] would be attached to his dad." Tyler came home for about a month, but he wasn't really there. Dance was his release, a way of working through his emotions. Sports was always one of the tougher areas for Mechelle to navigate. "When I think about it, I don't want to be old and not have anybody to spend my last days with. In 2011, a legal spat between Mechelle and Lucille over property in Mississippi played out in the local news media. Mechelle had just found out. How was she feeling? Eddie George Then & Now . Just because she doesnt know how to manage money doesnt mean she can bully her dead husbands poor old mother! Fred and Timboth played football, and younger brother Steve was magic,in both footballand baseball. The Steve Miller Band; Friday, July 7. She thinks he shows his emotions too much. "I didn't know about her at all," Mechelle says. Trent, pictured right, was 5. She had one job: to raise their sons. He was human. He made a mistake. 'Bud' Adams, Jr. They hug, and Tyler wants to tell her something before she goes back home to Tennessee. After thirteen seasons in the NFL, McNair announced his retirement from professional football in April 2008. She loves taking care of people. Tyler, who is majoring in biology at NYU while continuing to pursue his dancing dreams, forged a path so different from his father's. He had four brothers, Fred, Jason, Michael, and Tim. Brett Favre and Ray Lewis and Jay Cutler showed up for the funeral. I feel like I'm the weakest person sometimes. Those assets included the million dollar mansion he had built for his mother, Lucille, to live in during her twilight years. But McNair was persistent. Deadly Recall: Air McNair is an episode that examines the life, slaying, and aftermath of renowned NFL quarterback Stephen McNair, who died at the age of 36 and left behind a shocked family and fanbase. In 2007, McNair did not play in Week 2 against the Jets in which the Ravens won 2013. He didn't just turn out all right. Tyler graduated from Brentwood in the spring. She keeps McNair's football memorabilia in the basement, where Trent dribbles his basketball and Tyler practices his dance moves. Piller, a former guard for the Titans, was one of McNair's pallbearers. "He didn't want to do anything. Courtesy Mechelle McNair. But plans change. It's the most I've felt like a regular person, like nothing has happened." From that moment on, she could not let her children see her break down. pluto dominant appearance tumblr,

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