There wasn't anything those children wanted that he didn't get for them." Christmas break is over, and the house is quiet. [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. NFL home He sees flashes of his friend, and it helps him stay close to him. Tyler believes it's the same thing his dad would have said. Brett Favre and Ray Lewis and Jay Cutler showed up for the funeral. We care about your data. "I loved him. "I can deal with not having Steve here a lot more because I see him still every day in his boys.". She doesn't want to go through any more pain. He never forced his sons to play sports. "She's very vocal," Trent says. Mechelle says she could hear Steve's footsteps in the house sometimes. McNair helped Alcorn State to another good year in 1993, as the Braves upped their record to 83 while McNair threw for more than 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns. In his stead entered Neil O'Donnell, a veteran who had guided the Pittsburgh Steelers to the Super Bowl four years earlier. I'm not going to do it.". They met at Alcorn State, a historically black college in rural Claiborne County, Mississippi. She had plenty to cheer about by the time the franchise moved to Tennessee in 1997. When people say that to me, I'm always like, 'Where are they getting this from?' Sahel Kazemi allegedly shot and killed Steve McNair, then herself. She thinks he shows his emotions too much. In 2007, McNair did not play in Week 2 against the Jets in which the Ravens won 2013. He did not have a will, creating a painful mess that dragged on for years. They met at Alcorn State, a historically black college in rural Claiborne County, Mississippi. Trent, pictured right, was 5. just standing in the pocket," said Lucille. Right now, my mom's here with me, but like when Trent's gone off to school and meets somebody, and then my mom, who knows how long -- I'm not saying who's going to go before who because that's not necessarily true -- but she's older. I feel like I'm the weakest person sometimes. Sports was always one of the tougher areas for Mechelle to navigate. After all, her sons are almost grown-up. There was one problem: His heart wasn't in it anymore, and he wanted to dance instead. ", McNair was known as one of the toughest players in the NFL. She made faces at him to try to get him to stop. When the police arrived, his corpse was on the couch with . I still love him. 'Bud' Adams, Jr. Her children had never seen her like that. But plans change. 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. She was so happy at the end of their talk, when he said she could attend the next employee meeting. He took care of us. He didn't just turn out all right. A post shared by Trent McNair (@trentmac9). He was a tenacious defender who helped his team win two state championships. She stood up, the pain radiated from the right side of her skull, and she had to lie back down. But Lucille was more concerned with themmoving in the classroom. [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. Aside from kid functions and dinners out, she lived the life of a homebody. At first, Mechelle thought he should stick it out. Peep the video below. He sat behind her in class and constantly flirted. 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. Her mother, Melzena Cartwright, saw the news on TV. He didn't just turn out all right. 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. He cleaned the fish when they got home that night, washed his truck and began to doze off on the couch. His total offense averages were 571 y/g over 11 games. One of the popular celebrity wives, Mechelle McNair, is best-known as the wife of late Steve McNair. "[38] There was also a conversation about financial issues where McNair transferred $2,000 to Kazemi, who claimed she was "stressed" and needed to pay her phone bill. His early death became fodder for tabloids: the married McNair was found dead in a condominium alongside a woman he had been dating whom police believed killed him and then herself. Offensive linemen spend their careers protecting the quarterback, and Piller couldn't. Before she met McNair, Mechelle never thought she would get married. The last full conversation he had with Mechelle centered on the restaurant's nightly receipts constantly being off and her desire to help. Mechelle grabbed him and told him to stop. The boys are constantly chasing a ghost, a man who, in death, is still the biggest sports legend in Nashville. He didn't want to watch TV, didn't want to eat anything. [44] Kazemi had a worsening financial situation and also suspected that McNair was in another extramarital relationship. [42] The bodies were discovered by McNair's friends Wayne Neely and Robert Gaddy, who called 911. When you walk into Lucille McNair's memory room,it's hard not be overwhelmed with the accomplishments of her sons, especially the oneknown as Steve "Air" McNair; alegacy she says beganwhen Steve was a young boy,following in the footsteps of his older brother Fred. He said he couldn't live without his daddy and wanted to kill himself. Tyler came home for about a month, but he wasn't really there. He tried to do both at first, but soon it was too much. Tyler was her road dog. [20], The 2006 season saw McNair start each game for the Ravens, missing only portions of two games. McNair left a large estate behind that's in probate in both Tennessee and Mississippi. [46][44], Two days before their deaths, Kazemi was pulled over in a black 2007 Cadillac Escalade in Nashville. She was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. His good friend Zach Piller, right, protected him on the field and served as one of his pallbearers. But McNair was persistent. Copyright 2021, All Right Reserved MARRIEDCELEB. In a statement to the AP, Ozzie Newsome, executive vice president and general manager of the Baltimore Ravens, stated:[39][50]. In the worst times, she kept both of her little boys beside her in bed, where she could keep them close and safe. Fred and Timboth played football, and younger brother Steve was magic,in both footballand baseball. He split time between his home in Nashville and his farm in Collins, Mississippi. On the morning of July 4, 2009, Mechelle McNair woke up with a crushing headache. Courtesy Mechelle McNair McNair completed 18 of 29 pass attempts for 173 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions as the Ravens lost, 156. Yes. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt) . The house actually had been on the market before McNair died, but then the housing crisis hit, and it bounced on and off the listings for four years. Conspiracy theorists flooded the internet and airwaves. Nice Mini-Skirt: Why is Young Thug Wearing It? "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.". The gun was also found near her dead body at the crime scene. Conspiracy theorists flooded the internet and airwaves. The McNairs never had a lot,but Lucille saysthey had each other. "He was the first person to come," Tyler says. The Titans held a two-day memorial at LP Field on July 8 and 9, 2009, where fans could pay their last respects to McNair. In his last days, McNair seemed overwhelmed at times, almost as if he was at a crossroads, Mechelle says. "You know boys are going to be boys," she said. Mechelle appreciates the little things, such as the neighbor who used to replace the boys' basketball net whenever it looked worn, or the random texts Piller sends to the boys to ask how it's going. He'd say, 'I just need some rest.'" He told Mechelle that the alarm was going off at his restaurant, but she knows now that Kazemi was probably the one who called. When his father passed away, Steve McNair Jr. was a star wide receiver at Oak Grove High School in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Eventually, there will be more goodbyes. It's the most I've felt like a regular person, like nothing has happened.". And I said what you ain't got,you can't miss it.". Following the Titans bye week Neil O'Donnell started against his former team but after ODonnell threw three picks he was sacked out of the game in the final four minutes. I'm not going to do it." She once took him on a girlfriends-only trip to the Bahamas, and if anyone took issue with it, well, tough. Before she met McNair, Mechelle never thought she would get married. Copyright 2016 MSNewsNow. According to Piller, Trent hit five 3-pointers. He says she needs to go out more, to have fun sometimes. He did annoying things, peeking at her test answers, sticking his giant feet on her book bag. "Nope," she says. 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. And I don't feel like that's how God wants us to be.". Editor's note: Sports Illustrated is releasing a podcast examining the death of former Titans quarterback . She doesn't want to be a hindrance to him. He wore bandages for weeks. Then, despite a leg injury, he tucked the ball under his arm and dove into the end zone for the winning touchdown. In 2002, Tennessee finished the regular season 115 and reached the playoffs. The last full conversation he had with Mechelle centered on the restaurant's nightly receipts constantly being off and her desire to help. There were many people at McNair's funeral who vowed to be there for Tyler and Trent. ". The couple had first met at Alcorn State, a historically black university in Claiborne County, Mississippi. In addition, McNair won the Walter Payton Award as the top I-AA player and finished third in the Heisman Trophy voting behind Rashaan Salaam and Ki-Jana Carter. And them. Mechelle sits in the stands and yells at him to "keep your face straight." I've been there." McNair and the Titans reached the AFC Championship game but were unable to reach the Super Bowl, losing to the Oakland Raiders 4124. McNair's first season as the Oilers' starter in 1997 (the team's first year in Tennessee) resulted in an 88 record for the team, which played its home games at the Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tennessee. However, McNair later bailed Kazemi out of jail. At first, Mechelle thought he should stick it out. [20] By May of 2006, the Baltimore Sun reported that the Baltimore Ravens were interested in McNair. He made his first playoff start as a Raven against the Colts on January 13, 2007. "I'll be back in a little while," he said. 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. 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. "I can't say that I didn't have my bitter moments. 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. The fact that he was the quarterback everyone on campus was talking about held no currency with Mechelle. She merely wanted to grieve her loss in private. He was 36 years old. "I know he's in his head," Steve would tell Mechelle. Here was an NFL quarterback one season into retirement, a former co-MVP and a Super Bowl participant, murdered. FOLLOW US ON TWITTER AND INSTAGRAM. On the second-to-last play with the Titans facing 3rd down and 5 to go, McNair was hit by two Rams defenders, but he somehow got away and completed a 16-yard pass to Kevin Dyson to gain a 1st down at the Rams' 10-yard line. The estate of the former pro, who played 11 seasons with the Tennessee Titans and two with the. Highlights from his career were played throughout each day and fans were able to sign books that were later given to the McNair family. Corrections? "What's my purpose? ". 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 cleaned the fish when they got home that night, washed his truck and began to doze off on the couch. [32], McNair earned the nickname "Air McNair" in high school. [28], McNair was inducted into the Black College Football Hall of Fame in 2012 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2020. At that point, Mechelle had a boyfriend and was only focused on pursuing a career in the medical field as a doctor. Initially, she did not believe her husband was dead. The team would not let him rehab in its building because it feared an injury would force the franchise to pay him $23.46 million (his contract had been restructured so often that his salary cap reached a hard-to-manage amount). There were good times, too. The judge agreed, and each of the four children received $500,000. Ex-Tennessee tight end Bo Scaife filled Tyler's closet with sneakers. "He was the first one saying how proud he was of me and how proud my dad would be." Dont miss to subscribe to our new feeds, kindly fill the form below. 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. She doesn't want to be a hindrance to him. She is thankful for that last day McNair had with the boys and for that night when they argued and made up. But this moment in front of the school is a good one. "I can't say that I didn't have my bitter moments. McNair signed a new six-year contract after the 1999 season worth US$47 million.[14]. "[38] McNair, who was believed to have been asleep on the couch when the shooting occurred, was shot twice in the body and twice in the head, with only one of the shots coming from closer than three feet. I can't wallow in it. We are saddened and shocked to hear the news of Steve McNair's passing today. 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. She wasn't into sports, and she already had a boyfriend. When the police arrived, his corpse was on the couch with multiple wounds of the gunshot, including one to the head. In happy times, they belted out SWV songs in Mechelle's little, red, two-seater Mercedes, his tiny head bobbing to the music. ", Though McNair was an NFL quarterback, he never wanted to force football or sports on his children. She got on the elliptical machine, hoping some exercise would get rid of the headache. The investigation later revealed that they were in a romantic relationship for over six months, and the two also texted each other, saying love you and love you too before the incident happened. Although she didn't grow up playing sports, Mechelle quickly acclimated herself to the life of a football wife. [29][30], McNair was married to Mechelle McNair[31] from June 21, 1997, until his death. He was human. And it was in the sports arenathat the McNair boys shined. She didn't usually get as much . "I didn't know about her at all," Mechelle says. [48], Titans owner Bud Adams released a statement regarding McNair:[49]. 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. Further, he was buried at Griffith Cemetery in Prentiss, Mississippi, and over 5000 people attended his funeral. 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. They carry pieces of Steve, from Tyler's mannerisms to the way Trent calls people "Buddy." Mechelle appreciates the little things, such as the neighbor who used to replace the boys' basketball net whenever it looked worn, or the random texts Piller sends to the boys to ask how it's going. Yes. This is just one of the many feel-good stories McNair was known for in his life. Pat Boone, a singer from the 1950s, eventually bought the home. Wade Payne/AP Photo. She would not lose it in front of them. "Everyone went to college and I bought them a bible and I told them,God come first, books come second and their sports come next," said Lucille. Mechelle had always considered herself a private person. The Braves fashioned a record of 74, including a last-second victory in their rematch with Grambling. He pictured his dad sitting in a pew, his leg sticking out in the aisle because the seat was too small for his giant body. Steve and Mechelle shares two children from their marital relationship. But it gets worse, she told Steve's mom to pay $3,000 rent or get the hell out! He says that McNair would do the same thing for him, and that what he does isn't much. McNair then offered to come over to check on her after she said her chest felt heavy. Uh Oh! He had four brothers, Fred, Jason, Michael, and Tim. He doesn't believe anyone can play quarterback as well as his father did, so why even try? The fact that he was the quarterback everyone on campus was talking about held no currency with Mechelle. Between the 2002 and 2003 seasons, McNair was arrested for DUI and illegal gun possession (in May 2003). "I think it was important for [Lucille] because you see a part of your son you lost," Mechelle says. "When they were saying hand him the Heisman,I was likewhat is the Heisman and they were giving me different people names who had won the Heisman.". The Steve Miller Band; Friday, July 7. He's going to kick the world's ass. You're so strong,'" Mechelle says. Former Titans Chris Johnson and Vince Young took the boys to the locker room, just as their dad had done. Here was an NFL quarterback one season into retirement, a former co-MVP and a Super Bowl participant, murdered. "Steve was a good person," Mechelle's mother says. The house actually had been on the market before McNair died, but then the housing crisis hit, and it bounced on and off the listings for four years. "I don't want him to look at me and say, 'Oh, my mom is just kind of relaxed,'" she says. "If you put them out thereto throw passes,they looked the same. Trent shows flashes of great talent at quarterback, but he won't play the position. It was just like 2009. Ex-linemen tell stories about how she used to sit in the stands and yell at them to protect her husband. [23], On May 9, 2007, McNair was arrested in Nashville for drunk driving even though he was not driving at the time. Tyler was her road dog. [39][40][41] After killing him, Kazemi sat on the couch beside him and shot herself in the temple. Here, let's have a glance over her marital life with her late husband. The transition from football player to businessman was not smooth. They carry pieces of Steve, from Tyler's mannerisms to the way Trent calls people "Buddy." Times when the family would pair up in teams and wrestle, Mechelle and Tyler on one side; Trent and Steve on the other. ", Tyler, right, and Trent served as honorary 12th Titans in a November game against the Baltimore Ravens. She never imagined she'd leave Mississippi after college to move to Houston with a man who had just been selected at No. The 45 acre 6 bedroom ranch in Collins, MS was built by McNair for his mother; a gift to a woman, who as a single mom raised 5 rowdy boys in poor, rural Mississippi. It surprises her and forces her to ask the inevitable question: Who am I when my kids are grown and gone? Tyler tells her everything, even the stuff that can get him grounded. It surprises her and forces her to ask the inevitable question: Who am I when my kids are grown and gone? McNair's 2,665 passing yards were the most for the Oilers in a season since Warren Moon in 1993, and his 13 interceptions were the fewest for a single season in franchise history. According to the last reports, Mechelle never remarried but is dating, and she received a degree in nursing years ago. Regardless of how he left here, I know he loved us. Tyler tells her everything, even the stuff that can get him grounded. 3 in the NFL draft. A "True Crimes with Aphrodite Jones" episode filmed in 2013 even pointed suspicion at her. Tyler came home for about a month, but he wasn't really there. She is thankful for that last day McNair had with the boys and for that night when they argued and made up. Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree. "And I knew then. The boxes are unpacked, the dorm room is clean, and there is nothing else to do but say goodbye. The night of his death, McNair put his children to bed, then at 11:00p.m. he texted Kazemi "On my way. His blood alcohol was above 0.10, and a 9-mm handgun was sitting in the front of the car. Nobody knew where he was. Nashville Police Chief Ronal Serpas said, "The police department has concluded that Steve McNair was murdered by Sahel Kazemi and that, in turn, Sahel Kazemi killed herself with a single gunshot wound to her head.". Without a doubt, she must have inherited a portion of her husband's fortune. They hug, and Tyler wants to tell her something before she goes back home to Tennessee. Trent will put his hands on his hips and walk to the bench, and it reminds Piller of Steve heading to the huddle. She made faces at him to try to get him to stop. When a parent dies young and leaves behind children, people make promises. 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. (She was never a suspect). 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. Sheoffers this advice to other young athletes who aspire to be Warriors on the field,like McNair. "He would just come home and be, like, dead," Tyler says. He was 36 when he died, and he had just opened Gridiron9, a catfish-and-burger joint in north Nashville. But he could be there for McNair's boys. In that contest, McNair returned from an injury and helped Alcorn State, trailing late in the final period, move deep into Tigers' territory. "I can deal with not having Steve here a lot more because I see him still every day in his boys." In fact,he was the first to wear the #9 jersey that his younger brother would eventually make famous. Judy Winslow Was an Integral Part of the 'Family Matters' Dynamic. God got her through this, she says. Piller went to one of Trent's basketball games recently, and the younger McNair didn't disappoint. I got to dance all the time, I got to travel, and I got into the college I wanted to. He took care of us. NEW YORK (CBS) "Im gonna have all of u soon," Sahel Kazemi texted Steve McNair, her married lover and former NFL star,. St. Louis scored the first 16 points as McNair struggled . I still love him. McNair's widow, his sons and other family members and friends will return to Nissan Stadium for the special day. The old home had too many memories. Her husband would have done things differently. So, there is not much information about what she do for a living. Mechelle says she could hear Steve's footsteps in the house sometimes. The man who had taken epidurals and basically crawled around in pain six days a week but somehow played football on Sundays couldn't be gone. He asked how somebody could do this to his daddy. He announced his retirement following the 2007 season. McNair was known for his tenacity in playing through injuries and his dexterity as a scrambler or passer. She was so happy at the end of their talk, when he said she could attend the next employee meeting. Courtesy Mechelle McNair. He went on to commit to play wide receiver at Southern Miss before playing at Pearl River Community College. The well-known footballer, Steve, died on 4 July 2009 at the age of 46. Just 24 hours earlier, McNair had taken his sons fishing. But,according to his mother,that was just a fraction of who Steve McNair was. He split time between his home in Nashville and his farm in Collins, Mississippi. "I don't want to be alone," she says. Mu was the one who took them to father-son breakfasts and NBA games. Offensive linemen spend their careers protecting the quarterback, and Piller couldn't. Nothing's going to change how I feel about my husband. In the divisional playoff round against the Pittsburgh Steelers, McNair threw for a career postseason high 338 yards and two touchdowns, with two interceptions, while rushing for 29 yards and another score on the ground. Steve turned down an opportunity out of high school to be drafted into baseball. "I feel like I'm just living. The boys are so close that Trent sleeps in Tyler's bed when he's at college. McNair was known as one of the toughest players in the NFL. He was found dead with the body of a young woman, Sahel Kazemi, in a rented house at 105 Lea Avenue in downtown Nashville. Naked Pic of Serena Williams Goes Viral! Nothing's going to change how I feel about my husband. This is so, so sad. Brett Favre and Ray Lewis and Jay Cutler showed up for the funeral. 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. There he guided his team to a comeback from a 16-point deficit, and the Titans came within a yard of the tying touchdown, only to ultimately lose to the St. Louis Rams. Bossip Comment Policy "Lucille was a single mother,raising five rambunctious boys. It was a good day for two little boys who saw their dad as a superhero. McNair set career records for the Football Championship Series with 14,496 passing yards, as well as the division record for total offensive yards with 16,823 career yards. 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. But Fred was more,Fred would pick you apart. Omissions? A few months after his death, the restaurant was sold. Steve McNair was buried on a Saturday in his home state of Mississippi. "Most of the time I really don't hear it that much, but when I do, it's a little bit embarrassing. By continuing to use this site, you agree to our updated Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. In 2013, she sold their 13,000-square-foot house and moved to a smaller home. Lucille had to rush him to the hospital.
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