Steve McNair
By Tim Peterson
Former NFL quarterback Steve McNair was found shot to death Saturday in a condominium in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. McNair was 36 years old. Police discovered a pistol near the body of a woman also found dead in the condo.
Police said McNair died of multiple gunshot wounds including one to the head. The woman, identified as 20 year old Sahel Kazemi, had a single gunshot wound to the head.
The bodies were discovered Saturday afternoon by McNair’s longtime friend Wayne Neely, who reportedly rented the condo with McNair.
McNair was the third pick overall in the 1995 draft by the Houston Oilers. McNair spent 13 years in the NFL, beginning his career with the Oilers, who eventually became the Tennessee Titans. He ended his career with the Baltimore Ravens and retired in April 2008. He had a remarkable career finishing with 31,304 yards passing and 174 touchdowns. McNair, known as a tough quarterback who always played through injuries, joined Steve Young and Fran Tarkenton as the only players to pass for 30,000 yards and rush for 3500.
McNair shared the league MVP award with Peyton Manning in 2003 and was a three time Pro Bowler. He led the Titans to the Super Bowl in 2000, where Tennessee fell a yard short of sending the game into overtime in a 23-16 loss to the St. Louis Rams.
McNair played in pain and battled injuries through out his career, once playing with a fractured sternum. In his last full season in the NFL he guided the Ravens to a 13-3 record in 2006. A groin injury forced him out in 2007 and he called it quits following the season.
During his college days, McNair was known as “Air” McNair playing for Division 1-AA Alcorn State in Mississippi. He still holds the Division 1-AA record (now known as Football Championship SubDivison) for career yards passing (14,496) and total offense (16,823).
Autopsies for the two victims are planned for Sunday as the investigation into the killings continues. Funeral arrangements are pending.
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