But after Steve's death, the most intimate details of her life were fodder for public consumption. McNair came in and threw a touchdown to Erron Kinney; a missed Steelers field goal attempt resulted in the Titans winning 2320. His good friend Zach Piller, right, protected him on the field and served as one of his pallbearers. 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. And I said what you ain't got,you can't miss it.". 'Bud' Adams, Jr. The two were living happily with each other and also parenting their two children until 2009. 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. McNair was known as one of the toughest players in the NFL. Nearly 5,000 people mourned McNair at Reed Green Coliseum on the campus of Southern Miss. Mechelle says she could hear Steve's footsteps in the house sometimes. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family as they deal with his untimely passing. We care about your data. He probably wouldn't have spent most of the summer dreading this moment, standing in front of a college dorm, trying not to cry. ". Her husband would have done things differently. According to his wife, Michele, the will that his agent claimed was drawn up has been lost. [12] McNair did not see his first action until the last two series of the fourth quarter in a November game versus the Cleveland Browns. The boys are constantly chasing a ghost, a man who, in death, is still the biggest sports legend in Nashville. George Gojkovich/Getty Images. According to his wife, Michele, the will that his agent claimed was drawn up has been lost. Funeral services were held for McNair at the Reed Green Coliseum on the campus of the University of Southern Mississippi on July 11; he was buried at Griffith Cemetery in Prentiss, Mississippi. Called a Warrior on the field,McNair often played through bruises, concussionsand other fairly serious injuries. We've joined the BHM Digital family of websites and have updated our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. "[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. Tyler disagrees. Mechelle grabbed him and told him to stop. 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. And on the gridiron,he was magic. The gun was also found near her dead body at the crime scene. The Steve Miller Band; Friday, July 7. McNair had dreams of his restaurant becoming a chain. He was one of the finest players to play for our organization and one of the most beloved players by our fans. Steve and Mechelle had happily welcomed their first child, Tyler McNair, a year after getting married, followed by Trenton roughly five years later. There was one problem: His heart wasn't in it anymore, and he wanted to dance instead. The other two are from previous relationships. Brett Favre and Ray Lewis and Jay Cutler showed up for the funeral. [20], The 2006 season saw McNair start each game for the Ravens, missing only portions of two games. Pat Boone, a singer from the 1950s, eventually bought the home. (She was never a suspect). Sahel Kazemi and Steve McNair Final Texts Show Worries of Love and Did I know about some other people and some other things? Oldest son Fred McNair was the first star to emerge. It's the most I've felt like a regular person, like nothing has happened.". Keep in mind, its a $1 million dollar home that he built for his mom. McNair threw for 3,228 yards and 15 touchdowns in '98, and he led the Titans to the Super Bowl a year later. Mechelle told him she didn't know. For more, watch E:60's story, "Heir McNair," on Sunday at 9 a.m. on ESPN, or stream it on WatchESPN. In his last days, McNair seemed overwhelmed at times, almost as if he was at a crossroads, Mechelle says. The fact that he was the quarterback everyone on campus was talking about held no currency with Mechelle. It had been a long time since they'd been there. But if I'm playing basketball, I kind of look up there and tell her to sshhhhh." He told them to find something they loved and to do it well. She always worried where he was. But she put off doing the paperwork, and Alcorn was the school that offered her a scholarship. Times when the family would pair up in teams and wrestle, Mechelle and Tyler on one side; Trent and Steve on the other. Trent, who was 5, rested his head on his mother's lap during the service. But he could be there for McNair's boys. On the morning of July 4, 2009, Mechelle McNair woke up with a crushing headache. McNair helped Baltimore to a 133 record and an AFC North Championship. I saidthese boys is kinda special," added Lucille. Mechelle had just found out. He says she needs to go out more, to have fun sometimes. "I know what he's thinking. [23], On May 9, 2007, McNair was arrested in Nashville for drunk driving even though he was not driving at the time. She didn't usually get as much . "He would just come home and be, like, dead," Tyler says. In his senior season, McNair gained 6,281 combined yards rushing (904) and passing (5,377), along with 56 touchdowns. "I think it was important for [Lucille] because you see a part of your son you lost," Mechelle says. [32], McNair earned the nickname "Air McNair" in high school. Merrill: The dilemma of how to mourn McNair But her sons were terrified and confused. Mechelle is asked whether she thinks they'd be this close had McNair lived. He could see McNair smiling and telling his boy, "Good job, Buddy." He never forced his sons to play sports. Apart from her wealth, her late husband, Steve's net worth was around $26 Million at the time of his death. Editor's note: Sports Illustrated is releasing a podcast examining the death of former Titans quarterback . As for Steven OBryant McNair, who was 15 at the time of Steve Sr.s death, he still resides in Mississippi. How do you think she was feeling? She said she couldn't bear to lose both of them. Ex-linemen tell stories about how she used to sit in the stands and yell at them to protect her husband. She never played. [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. Maybe they would have been anyway, had Steve McNair not been killed. Corrections? It has been exactly ten years of Steve's demise. In happy times, they belted out SWV songs in Mechelle's little, red, two-seater Mercedes, his tiny head bobbing to the music. Nine years later, it's still hard for him to talk about McNair. I've been there.". Tyler, who was 10, started crying. The well-known footballer, Steve, died on 4 July 2009 at the age of 46. Sahel Kazemi: A study in the woman police say killed Steve McNair a "[People] always say, 'Oh, I admire you so much. Those assets included the million dollar mansion he had built for his mother, Lucille, to live in during her twilight years. McNair completed 18 of 29 pass attempts for 173 yards with no touchdowns and two interceptions as the Ravens lost, 156. She made faces at him to try to get him to stop. Before everything changed. "She's very vocal," Trent says. But McNair was persistent. Copyright 2016 MSNewsNow. Mechelle had always considered herself a private person. Tyler tells her everything, even the stuff that can get him grounded. Mechelle found strength and independence she never thought she had. Family of Steve McNair dividing up estate despite lack of signed will - al ", Tyler, right, and Trent served as honorary 12th Titans in a November game against the Baltimore Ravens. ON PRO FOOTBALL; McNair's Take-Control Mother Is Proud of Her Take He tried to do both at first, but soon it was too much. Hell graduate high school in 2022, whereas his elder brother will graduate college in 2021. McNair's success in the NFL netted him a fortune. 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. George Clark/Hattiesburg American POOL/Getty Images He was 36 years old. Tyler came home for about a month, but he wasn't really there. Courtesy Mechelle McNair All rights reserved. She would lean on her friends, who dropped everything to be with her in Nashville, or cry to her aunts and uncles. Obviously this is just one side of the story, but what the HELL could this woman have done to Michelle to make her take her home away from her and prevent her from seeing her grandchildren??? McNair said he loved them. He was known as one of the toughest men in football, playing through myriad injuries. "Most of the time I really don't hear it that much, but when I do, it's a little bit embarrassing. And now, from what we have been able to discern, he doesnt play professionally, is a father, and prefers to keep his distance from the spotlight. She was charged with driving under the influence of alcohol. The Steve McNair Foundation, Inc. 209 10th Avenue South Nashville, TN 37218 The Steve McNair Foundation Teams With the NFL Youth Football Fund for $100,000 in Katrina Relief. As they enter new stages of their lives, they wonder what their father would think. The couple had first met at Alcorn State, a historically black university in Claiborne County, Mississippi. "He said momma,we need the moneyand I said look,your education is more important," said Lucille. Unfortunately, she has been very tight-lipped concerning her professional life. He told Mechelle that the alarm was going off at his restaurant, but she knows now that Kazemi was probably the one who called. As a junior, McNair led the Mount Olive Pirates to the state championship. 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. He was still trying to figure out his world outside of football. McNair had dreams of his restaurant becoming a chain. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt) . McNair threw for 3,228 yards and 15 touchdowns in '98, and he led the Titans to the Super Bowl a year later. It had been a long time since they'd been there. At that point, Mechelle had a boyfriend and was only focused on pursuing a career in the medical field as a doctor. She loves taking care of people. Yet, Steves persistence and personality won her over, so she found herself leaving the state with him after graduation to support his NFL career. I'm just pushing forward. Steve McNair | Biography, Statistics, Death, & Facts | Britannica She doesn't want to go through any more pain. McNair and the Titans reached the AFC Championship game but were unable to reach the Super Bowl, losing to the Oakland Raiders 4124. "I'll be back in a little while," he said. More on Steve McNair In a statement to the AP, Ozzie Newsome, executive vice president and general manager of the Baltimore Ravens, stated:[39][50]. Well, that's when the drama started between his wife and mom. Uh Oh! He also played for the Baltimore Ravens. He tried to do both at first, but soon it was too much. Steve McNair was buried on a Saturday in his home state of Mississippi. He didn't win the Heisman,but was taken 3rd in the NFL draft,heading to Houston to become an Oiler,and eventually,a Tennessee Titan. "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.". So instead,he headed to Alcorn State University,following his brothers Fredand Tim. Aside from kid functions and dinners out, she lived the life of a homebody. 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. 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. You're so strong,'" Mechelle says. She is dating someone, but meeting people has been a struggle. He made at least $90 million in salary over his 13-year career with the Houston Oilers, Tennessee Titans and. and in junior high they started doing,and I saidsomething is not right about this. Thus, all of Steves assets were left to her. Eddie George Then & Now . More on Steve McNair 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. Omissions? Please refer to the appropriate style manual or other sources if you have any questions. "I know what he's thinking. Mechelle could handle algebra and first crushes, but sometimes, a boy needs a male figure in his life. 3 in the NFL draft. On the morning of July 4, 2009, Mechelle McNair woke up with a crushing headache. Fred and Timboth played football, and younger brother Steve was magic,in both footballand baseball. Judy Winslow Was an Integral Part of the 'Family Matters' Dynamic. She and Steve McNair had two sons together. He did annoying things, peeking at her test answers, sticking his giant feet on her book bag. During the 2009 NFL season, every member of the Titans wore a commemorative "9" sticker placed on the back of each helmet to honor McNair. Thank you for subscribing! Steve McNair was born on Valentine's Day, and he died on the Fourth of July. He asked how somebody could do this to his daddy. Conspiracy theorists flooded the internet and airwaves. But when she saw how committed Tyler was to dance, she told him to do what makes him happy. Ludacris, FloRida and Ashanti; Thursday, July 20. That was meand God.". The 46 years old wife of Steve, Mechelle was married to her long-time husband, Steve McNair, until 2009. Years ago, after Cartwright lost her own husband, Steve had told her to pack her bags and come live with them. One of the popular celebrity wives, Mechelle McNair, is best-known as the wife of late Steve McNair. They carry pieces of Steve, from Tyler's mannerisms to the way Trent calls people "Buddy." Trent shows flashes of great talent at quarterback, but he won't play the position. I don't. He was found dead with the body of a young woman, Sahel Kazemi, in a rented house at 105 Lea Avenue in downtown Nashville. McNair was riding in his own pickup truck as a passenger when the police stopped the truck's driver, McNair's brother-in-law, for speeding. Times when McNair would take the boys out on his motorcycle and they didn't even need to talk. "I didn't know about her at all," Mechelle says. Regardless of how he left here, I know he loved us. I can't wallow in it. "I mean, I'm here by myself. She wasn't into sports, and she already had a boyfriend. Piller downplays his involvement. She would go to her room, door closed, and sob. There wasn't anything those children wanted that he didn't get for them." (McNair also has two older sons from previous relationships.) Mechelle is 45 now, and she does not look old enough to be dropping a son off at college. Steve McNair's mom 'not mad' over son's brutal death, calls it 'devil's After the death of her husband, she has not married nor has any relationship with other men. Tyler, who is majoring in biology at NYU while continuing to pursue his dancing dreams, forged a path so different from his father's. They hug, and Tyler wants to tell her something before she goes back home to Tennessee. He probably wouldn't have spent most of the summer dreading this moment, standing in front of a college dorm, trying not to cry. He said he had to go, and kissed the boys goodbye. She had hoped to go to Southern Miss. "He said, 'but they need me and I'm not going to let them down.' [22] However, on June 7, 2006, the two teams worked out a deal to send McNair to the Ravens for a 4th-round pick in the 2007 NFL Draft. He'd say, 'I just need some rest.'". He had four brothers, Fred, Jason, Michael, and Tim. I know how it is when you ain't got nothing,and I never believed that I would be in this position to help other people," said Lucille. Tyler disagrees. Steve McNair was buried on a Saturday in his home state of Mississippi. Tyler was her road dog. Bossip Comment Policy So now that years have gone by, we cant help but wonder about the people Steve left behind. George Gojkovich/Getty Images There was one problem: His heart wasn't in it anymore, and he wanted to dance instead. He made a mistake. He was catching up with friends and hanging out at Waffle House at 2 in the morning. The well-known footballer, Steve, died on 4 July 2009 at the age of 46. When news of his death flashed on the TV screen, Cartwright rushed through the house to Mechelle's room. Late in the season, he also appeared briefly against the Detroit Lions and New York Jets. Tyler came home for about a month, but he wasn't really there. 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. Aside from kid functions and dinners out, she lived the life of a homebody. [9] An All-State selection (offense), McNair was named an All-American by Super Prep magazine (defense). Watch the video below to see the rest of this unbelievable drama, Prom Rundown: Erica Dixon And Tammy Riveras Daughters Nailed Their Prom Looks. She never worried about that with Tyler, but for some reason, she thinks about it now that it's just her and Trent. When the police arrived, his corpse was on the couch with multiple wounds of the gunshot, including one to the head. Courtesy Mechelle McNair. He split time between his home in Nashville and his farm in Collins, Mississippi. He'd say, 'I just need some rest.'" How do you think she was feeling? She stood up, the pain radiated from the right side of her skull, and she had to lie back down. Just 24 hours earlier, McNair had taken his sons fishing. She doesn't want to be a hindrance to him. 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. (She was never a suspect). Copyright 2021, All Right Reserved MARRIEDCELEB. She wasn't into sports, and she already had a boyfriend. Mrs. McNair talked about the time Steve, not yet a teen, was raking leaves and burning them in the yard. "[People] always say, 'Oh, I admire you so much. "I mean, I'm here by myself. Piller went to one of Trent's basketball games recently, and the younger McNair didn't disappoint. According to the last reports, Mechelle never remarried but is dating, and she received a degree in nursing years ago. "I loved him. There were many people at McNair's funeral who vowed to be there for Tyler and Trent. Times when McNair would take the boys out on his motorcycle and they didn't even need to talk. The game had a controversial finish when, after missing a game-winning field goal at the end of regulation time and a second failed kick in overtime was negated because of a controversial running-into-the-kicker penalty on Pittsburgh's Dewayne Washington, kicker Joe Nedney won the game from 26 yards out 2:15 into overtime. 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. She never worried about that with Tyler, but for some reason, she thinks about it now that it's just her and Trent. Steve McNair's Death Left Behind a Family Who Now Makes Him Proud According to Piller, Trent hit five 3-pointers. But McNair was persistent. I do know that. Updates? Miss. Remembers Steve McNair at Funeral - CBS News When people say that to me, I'm always like, 'Where are they getting this from?' A handful of them delivered. Every season, Mechelle sends Trent's basketball schedule to Mu and to Zach Piller. If I'm playing football and I hear her, I kind of just ignore it. Today, his estate is still dealing with his lack of planning. Highlights from his career were played throughout each day and fans were able to sign books that were later given to the McNair family. He was human. The boys call Mu "Uncle Mike." She stood up, the pain radiated from the right side of her skull, and she had to lie back down. Dance was his release, a way of working through his emotions. That drove Mechelle nuts, the waking up in the middle of the night. 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. She said she couldn't bear to lose both of them. McNair returned against the St. Louis Rams, and with McNair starting, Tennessee won seven of its last nine games, good for a record of 133 and second place in the AFC Central. "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. Sahel Kazemi's nephew reveals she expected Steve McNair to divorce wife But her sons were terrified and confused. The family Tennessee Titans legend Steve McNair left behind - ESPN 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. But he could be there for McNair's boys. Where Are Steve McNair's Wife and Kids Now? - The Cinemaholic The transition from football player to businessman was not smooth. At the time, it was considered one of the biggest funerals in the state. Two of their children are sons named Trenton John McNair, who was born in 2004, and his age is 15 years old as of 2019. "He would just come home and be, like, dead," Tyler says. She knew how much potential he had. 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. Just 24 hours earlier, McNair had taken his sons fishing. She doesn't want to be a hindrance to him. They met at Alcorn State, a historically black college in rural Claiborne County, Mississippi. McNair was initially-offered a full scholarship to the University of Florida to play running back, but wanting to play quarterback, McNair chose Alcorn State University, a Historically Black University which competes in the NCAA's Division I-AA (now known as the Football Championship Subdivision) Southwestern Athletic Conference (SWAC). Mechelle is 45 now, and she does not look old enough to be dropping a son off at college. "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.". He kissed Mechelle and told her he loved her, too. 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. Merrill: The dilemma of how to mourn McNair 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. Maybe she could do that. In the winter of 2016, Tyler was one of the best basketball players at Brentwood Academy, a Christian school with a powerhouse basketball program. It's his way of being around his brother still. "When I think about it, I don't want to be old and not have anybody to spend my last days with. The driver failed a field sobriety test and was arrested for DUI; McNair was charged with DUI by consent. They are all in our thoughts and prayers. No, I did not." Those assets included the million dollar mansion he had built for his mother, Lucille, to live in during her twilight years. Mechelle McNair married to Steve McNair on 1997 and divorce on 2009. He played with unquestioned heart and leadership and led us to places that we had never reached, including our only Super Bowl. "If you put them out thereto throw passes,they looked the same. Timeline of Steve McNair and Sahel 'Jenni' Kazemi leading up to their deaths. The 2009 murder of Steve McNair: Cops say Kazemi's unraveling life led to murder-suicide. She knew how much potential he had. McNair played with the Titans franchise for 11 seasons before finishing his career with the Baltimore Ravens (200608). "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." In the process, he surpassed more than a dozen records and was named an All-American. The estate of the former pro, who played 11 seasons with the Tennessee Titans and two with the. Mechelle found strength and independence she never thought she had. She wanted to be a doctor and wanted one child, but she didn't think much about a partner. She is dating someone, but meeting people has been a struggle. OLIVE, MS (Mississippi News Now) - He led the Tennessee Titans to Super Bowl XXXIV, went to three Pro Bowls, was All-Pro once, threw 174 touchdowns against 119 interceptions, had 31,304 yards passing, and had an impressive 60.1 career completion percentage.
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