Getty ImagesThree years ago today, only three days in to our partnership with NBC, a slow July 4 afternoon was shattered by the news that former Oilers/Titans and Ravens quarterback Steve McNair had been found dead.
It turned out, officially, to be a murder-suicide, with McNair’s 20-year-old girlfriend deemed to have shot McNair and then herself.
Questions regarding that conclusion persisted for months, especially since McNair was shot four times — execution-style — by a girl who supposedly had bought a gun from a convicted felon only two days earlier. But with no hard proof that it was a double murder (and possibly no inclination by the Nashville authorities to declare that someone who had committed a double homicide remained at large) the case eventually faded from public consciousness.
The Oilers made McNair the third pick in the 1995 draft, and he spent 11 years with the franchise, through its move from Houston to Tennessee and its name change from Oilers to Titans. After the Titans made Vince Young the third pick in the 2006 draft, they eventually traded McNair to Baltimore, where he served as the starter for two seasons.
The three-time Pro Bowler shared the league MVP award with Peyton Manning in 2003. He nearly led the Titans to victory against the Rams in Super Bowl XXXIV.
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Sad day
Wow, time flies
rip steve McNair i miss you alot
RIP….. This guy was an amazing competitor, and fun to watch. Sad that his life ended in such a tragic way.
RIP Steve
I used to love to watch this guy play. What a competitor! And I swear he seemed to find a way to play better hurt than when he was healthy. RIP Steven, you always gave it your all
I knew Steve
I loved Steve
He was my Fraternity Brother
He was my friend
Great Football Player
..A better Man
….RIP FRAT….
Ps
This case has to be reopened.
It was a travesty of justice
McNair seemed so nice and humble. Damn nobody should die that way that young.
Its sad to see something like that happen to anyone, but let’s face it……If Steve McNair had never cheated on his wife, he’d still be alive today. Not judging anyone. Just saying that you never know who you’re getting involved with. Its the Fatal Attraction syndrome.
R.I.P. Steve.
Sad but not tragic……..when you cheat on your wife and try to sleep with every woman that walks by bad things usually happen.
I met Steve McNair several times around Nashville (mostly in Brentwood) he was the most humble and nice athlete I’ve ever met. He was also the toughest guy I’ve ever seen play in my life. This guy took so many hits and had so many injuries, but he just kept playing.
There was a time when he was so banged up that he wouldn’t even practice during the week and still played on Sunday.
RIP Steve !
Just very sad..No matter what he did wrong he didn’t deserve the fate he suffered.RIP Mr.McNair
Can’t believe its already been 3 years. McNair was one of my favorite players growing up. Rip
The toughest quarterback in NFL history? I mean, seriously, I’ve been addicted to the NFL since 1978 and I’ve never seen another QB with that much grit. McNair was like John Riggins with a throwing arm. UN-believable.
R.I.P. YOU WONT BE FORGOTTEN!